ANOTHER Chinese luxury electric vehicle brand is heading to the Philippines.
Autowise Ventures Inc. (AUTO iCON Group) has signed an agreement to become the local distributor of AVATR, adding another player to an increasingly crowded premium EV landscape.
The brand is expected to officially arrive in the third quarter of 2026, with its first two dealerships opening in Alabang and Bonifacio Global City.
AVATR may still be an unfamiliar name especially to most Filipinos. But in China, the young brand has been making waves by combining sleek styling, high-performance electric powertrains, and heavily digitalized cabins aimed at younger luxury buyers.
Established in 2018 under the Changan Auto Group, AVATR has positioned itself as a technology-driven premium marque rather than a traditional carmaker chasing sales volume.
Three models are expected to spearhead its Philippine entry.
Leading the lineup is the AVATR 11, a coupe-inspired electric SUV powered by a dual-motor setup that produces as much as 578 horsepower (hp). The company says it can sprint from zero to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds, putting it squarely in performance SUV territory.
Joining it is the AVATR 12, a large executive sedan equipped with a highly digital cabin centered around what the company calls its 4D Intelligent Cockpit.
Completing the trio is the AVATR 07, an urban-oriented SUV that will be offered in both pure electric and range-extender configurations. Unlike a conventional hybrid, the range-extender version uses a gasoline engine solely to generate electricity and recharge the battery while on the move.
AVATR's arrival also highlights how rapidly the Philippine market is changing.
Chinese manufacturers are no longer competing purely on price. Many are now setting their sights on buyers who traditionally gravitated toward European luxury brands, offering larger vehicles, more technology, and longer equipment lists at increasingly competitive prices.
In the past two years alone, several Chinese marques have expanded their premium offerings locally, turning what was once a niche segment into one of the country's most active automotive battlegrounds.
AVATR appears ready to join that fight. Its products place a strong emphasis on software, connectivity, and performance, areas that have become key selling points among newer EV buyers.
AVATR is expected to begin Philippine operations in the third quarter of 2026. Local pricing, final specifications, and dealership opening dates have yet to be announced.