Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THE Covid-19 pandemic has been a global tragedy, but not everyone has suffered. Businesses and new entrepreneurs that have been able to take advantage of the explosion in online commerce have enjoyed success, and along with that, the market for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) has grown as well.
An LCV represents a significant investment for any business, and most small businesses have some rather stringent requirements: A vehicle that is inexpensive and provides good value for its price; a vehicle that is relatively uncomplicated mechanically, reliable, and easy to maintain; and finally, one that is small form factor well-suited to the Philippines’ cramped roads, and easy to handle for an ordinary driver.
Vehicle manufacturers have responded with a variety of offerings to fit the needs of business owners on a budget. The list below is not exhaustive (and is no particular order), but highlights some of the most popular LCV models under P1 million.
Mitsubishi L300: Apart from the iconic jeepney, the box-bodied L300 might be the closest thing the Philippines has to a National Truck. Mitsubishi has recently updated the model, giving it a new, cleaner 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine, improved ride height, and a slightly larger cab. Depending on the equipment, L300 models retail for between P840,000 and just under P1 million.
Mitsubishi Strada GL: Mitsubishi’s popular Strada pickup truck has a commercial version known as the GL, the base model of which is a cab-and-chassis that can be configured in a variety of ways. Offered in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions, the Strada GL starts at P815,000.
Foton Gratour: The Gratour, which is the same name given to Foton’s minivan, is available in an LCV form in a variety of configurations, including flatbed, box, dropside, and wing van. It is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and ranges in price from P520,000 to P625,000.
Foton Harabas: Somewhat larger than its Gratour sibling, the Harabas boasts a hefty carrying capacity, accommodating 16 passengers in its transport version, or up to 1.1 tons of cargo. Powered by a 2.2-liter diesel, prices for the Harabas start at P755,000 and range up to P860,000.
BAIC Freedom and Bayanihan H5: One of the more successful of the various Chinese nameplates to find a place in the Philippine market, BAIC also offers gasoline and diesel models, similar to Foton. The BAIC Freedom is the smaller, gas-powered version; the recently introduced third generation, with a Euro 4-spec 1.2-liter engine, starts at P518,000 for the base, dropside flatbed model, ranging up to P768,000 for the wing van version.
The diesel-powered Bayanihan H5, which is in the same class as the Mitsubishi L300, Kia K2500, and Isuzu Traviz but priced somewhat lower, boasts a carrying capacity of 1.5 tons for the base dropside model and one ton for the various passenger and box van configurations. Prices range from P638,000 up to P814,000 for its top-of-the-line passenger version with dual air conditioning.
Suzuki Super Carry: Perhaps the smallest LCV available in the Philippines, the pint-sized Super Carry is ideal for city travel. Configurable as either a dropside flatbed or a cargo box, the Super Carry is powered by an 800-cc turbo diesel that, in spite of its modest-sounding 32 horsepower, can move up to 735 kg of cargo with ease. Prices for the Super Carry range from P489,000 for the base model up to P580,000 for the cargo van version.
Suzuki Carry: The gasoline-powered “big brother” of the Super Carry, the Suzuki Carry is still a diminutive vehicle, but has an increased payload capacity of 940 kg. Its 1.5-liter gasoline engine produces 95 horsepower, and is a version of the engine used in Suzuki’s popular Jimny compact sport utility vehicle. Like its little brother, the Carry is available in either dropside or box versions, with prices ranging from P529,000 to P644,000.
Isuzu Traviz: At the larger end of the scale of LCVs and probably more accurately classified as a light truck, the Isuzu Traviz is a remarkable value for just under P1 million. Powered by a 2.5-liter turbo diesel, the Traviz is a good choice for those looking for just a bit more capacity than other LCVs without overextending the budget. Offered in two wheelbase versions, the Traviz retails for between P962,000 and P992,000.
Isuzu D-Max: Isuzu offers a cab-and-chassis version of its successful D-Max pickup, powered by the efficient 1.9-liter RZ4E diesel engine which generates 148 hp and a hefty 850 nm of torque. Available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions, the commercial D-Max starts at about P857,000.
Toyota Hilux Cargo: Like Mitsubishi and Isuzu with their Strada and D-Max models, respectively, Toyota also offers a commercial version of its popular Hilux pickup truck. The Hilux Cargo features a box body, and is available starting at P936,000. An FX version of the Hilux, essentially a cargo body fitted with passenger seating and rear air conditioning, retails for just over P1 million.
Kia K2500: Coming in at just under P1 million for the base model, the Kia K2500 is unique among its direct competitors in that it is one of only two (the other being the Hyundai H100) that features a 6-speed manual transmission and is available in a four-wheel drive, something that is otherwise seen only on the commercialized variants of pickup trucks. Powered by a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine, the K2500 is offered in a number of body styles, with the base model, the drop-tail flatbed, starting at P820,000.
Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/23/supplements/top-light-commercial-vehicles-under-p1m/1808042