PGA Cars, the partner of Porsche and Audi in the Philippines (together with Lamborghini and Bentley), is leading the domestic automotive sector’s transition to sustainable, premium electric-powered mobility through its “FutureNow” program.
FutureNow involves an initial investment of more than Php 300 million for the construction of facilities specifically designed and equipped to address the unique requirements and safety standards of electric vehicles. Other expenditures were allotted for manufacturer-approved equipment, tools and software, and specialized training of personnel dedicated to electric vehicles.
(L to R) PGA Cars Chairman and Porsche PH President and CEO Roberto Coyiuto III and PGA Cars President and Audi PH Head Benedicto Coyiuto
Through FutureNow, PGA Cars is helping build the ecosystem that supports the use of fully electric vehicles in the country. A key component of which is the establishment of processes and solutions for residential and destination charging systems through collaborations with relevant stakeholders — like mall owners, property developers, and fuel companies that have set up (or plan to set up) public charging stations. All PGA Cars showrooms and service centers are already equipped with charging facilities which Porsche and Audi owners use for free.
PGA Cars further commits to sustainable mobility by adopting carbon-neutral processes for its operations. Among these is the creation of a micro carbon sink — basically defined as a natural or man-made reservoir that can accumulate carbon emissions from the atmosphere — that can help the company absorb an amount of carbon dioxide nearly equal to that emitted during its operations.
In the first phase of the carbon sink program, PGA Cars transplanted full-grown trees in the vicinity of its main showrooms and service facilities on EDSA, Greenhills. The move seeks to help in curbing pollution, as well as to significantly improve aesthetics, in the area.
(L to R) Porsche PH Managing Director William Angsiy, PGA Cars Chairman Roberto Coyiuto III, and Audi PH Managing Director Christopher Chan (from left)
Leading the luxury sector toward the future
Currently headlining FutureNow are the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron SUV, and Audi e-tron GT. These vehicles are all zero-emissions, fully electric models which have significantly more advanced features than the stop-gap technologies found in hybrid vehicles, these cars lead the way for electromobility in the luxury car sector.
PGA Cars has been offering the Porsche Taycan since 2020, with demand for the four-door sports car consistently increasing since then. Leveraging on this momentum, PGA Cars in February introduced the Audi e-tron SUV, e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT. To date, Porsche and Audi are the only global brands to have sold any relevant number of fully electric-powered vehicles in the Philippines.
Both the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron range come with portable charging systems that can be plugged into either a household or a three-phase industrial outlet. The models also have available alternating current (AC) charging units that can be installed at homes — which are as simple to install as air-conditioners. These allow owners to fully charge their cars overnight, or “top-up” the battery charge level whenever it is convenient to do so. Operating the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron range is just like using a mobile device.
Another innovative charging system for Porsche and Audi is a high-powered direct current (DC) charger — the first of such type in the country — located at PGA Cars showrooms on EDSA Greenhills. With both DC and AC options available, owners are guaranteed access to charging solutions at home and on the road.
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FutureNow mall display
PGA Car’s FutureNow exhibit will be at the Powerplant Malls’ Northcourt for two weekends — May 27 to 29, and June 3 to 5, 2022. On display will be the PGA Car’s fully-electric line-up: the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron SUV, and Audi e-tron GT.
Read more about Porsche and Audi‘s electrification here and here.