SGAP fancies the Geely Okavango crossover a ‘game changer’

MANILA: Geely, whose vehicles are distributed and handled locally by Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP), now has a total of three vehicle offerings in the country with the introduction today of the Geely Okavango.

Positioned as a seven-seater crossover, the Okavango follows the previous introductions of the Coolray and Azkarra and is expected to further solidify the presence here of the China-headquartered automaker which first entered our market in September 2019.

Known in China as the Haoyue, the Okavango takes its name after an inland delta in Botswana — formed where the Okavango River “reaches a tectonic trough in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari.” Significant here is that it is the end of the line for the water; it does not find an inlet into another body of water and simply evaporates or seeps into the soil. It has been declared one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

In a release, SGAP President and CEO Mikihisa Takayama said, “Coming from the successful launch of the Coolray and Azkarra, we are confident that the new Geely Okavango will be a game changer in the industry as it combines the best qualities of a multi-purpose vehicle and an SUV, into one exciting seven-seater mid-size crossover. This crossover promises to give you a luxurious, uncompromising, and wonderfully distinct ride.”

Takayama acknowledged that “it has been a challenging year for all of us particularly in the automotive businesses,” and said hopefully that Okavango comes “in at the right time” with renewed vehicle demand in coming months “particularly on core segments such as sub-compact cars, MPVs, and SUVs.”

SGAP markets the Okavango as a “wonderfully distinct” vehicle in terms of terms of “space, technology, design, power, and safety to elevate the driving experience.” It is also the only 48V EMS (electric motor synergy)-equipped seven-seater vehicle in the country today — promising more efficient performance with the aid of a mild hybrid system.

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine mustering 190hp and 300Nm. The power plant, jointly developed by Geely and Volvo, is mated to a seven-speed wet-type dual clutch transmission.

The Okavango boasts a spacious cabin, with a three-row seating configurable in 19 ways. For added convenience, the vehicle gets 42 storage nooks and compartments as well.

The Okavango is also equipped with a triple-zone air-conditioning system with a CN95 filter. The driver, front passenger, and rear passengers can select their own desired temperature setting.

It gets six SRS airbags, a “360-degree panoramic camera with a best-in-class guidance system and dynamic auxiliary lines,” speeding warning, electronic stability control, hill start assist, central locking with speed-sensing auto lock, and hill descent control for enhanced safety.

“The Okavango being a crossover means it has a character of an SUV and the comfort of a passenger car.  It has just the right stance to take on emergency maneuvers as response is direct and no compromises on safety,” asserted the company.

The vehicle comes in two variants with the following pricing: Comfort (P1.208 million) and Urban (P1.328) million.

Photos by Ricky Ladia

Also read: Are you ready for the Geely Okavango?