This year, Cebu and the rest of the Philippines will see the arrival of the highly anticipated, fully electric Hyundai IONIQ 5. 

Among the many accolades that the IONIQ 5 has under its (seat) belt, it was recently recognized as a 2022 Import Car of the Year at Japan Car of the Year, which has been presenting awards to the best in the automotive industry since 1980.

When Hyundai Cebu, Inc. (HCI) showcased a fresh roster of vehicles in mid-November 2022, the entire Hyundai Cebu South showroom was abuzz with the excitement of hundreds of guests from Cebu’s business, social, and media circles. 

During the event, HCI President Edward Onglatco was pleased to introduce Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH), a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, as the country’s new principals for Hyundai. Onglatco and his team, together with top executives of HMPH led by Chief Finance Officer Hongshik Chin and Deputy General Manager for Vehicle Sales Victor Vela, proudly unveiled the new lineup featuring the all-new Stargazer MPV, the Creta compact SUV, the Palisade full-size SUV, and, not least of all, the IONIQ 5 Crossover electric vehicle.

The moment the IONIQ 5 was unveiled, clients and guests spent hours admiring every angle and aspect of the model unit. An IONIQ 5 was reserved by an excited owner before the evening was through.

Apart from its futuristic design and comfortable cabin, what may have gotten Cebuanos particularly curious was being able to see up close one of the first fully electric cars available in town.

Available in 58kWh and 72.6kWh battery options, one full charge can drive up to 352 kilometers and 481 kilometers, respectively. Both an AC charger and a portable charger will be included with the vehicle upon delivery, with a charging time of five to six hours on the former and eight to nine hours on the latter.

A DC fast charger will soon be available at the Hyundai dealership, as well as several malls and gas stations so that the IONIQ 5 can be recharged 100% in just 57 minutes or less.

Onglatco’s family has represented Hyundai in Cebu for three decades, a legacy passed on by his late father, Eduardo. Hyundai continues to be one of the most sought-after automotive brands in Cebu: the Tucson is the bestselling compact SUV here. The Staria has over 50 on the waitlist in Cebu alone, and over 1,000 on the waitlist nationwide.

 Hyundai is always in the top second or third in its product segment. We captured 8 to 10% of vehicle sales pre-pandemic. The target is to capture a bigger share of the market in the coming year, while continuously improving customer service to existing and new clients. 

Edward Onglatco

HCI’s Chief Operating Officer Mitchell Alforque said, “Our group is committed, more than ever, to pursue better customer experience—not just during the purchase of a new vehicle, but more so on service. Our team is committed to improving day-by-day to make our customer’s ownership journey worthwhile.”

The award-winning IONIQ 5 Crossover Electric Vehicle is available for indent order from HCI’s branches in Cebu, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, and Butuan in the following variants:

• GLS 2WD Standard Range (384 kms) — Php 3,108,000
• GLS 2WD Long Range (481 kms) — Php 3,738,000

To reserve your own IONIQ 5 in Cebu, visit the Hyundai Cebu North Showroom along A.S. Fortuna Street, Mandaue City; or the Hyundai Cebu South Showroom along J. de Veyra Avenue, Cebu City.