A Filipino automotive name with nearly eight decades of history has made its formal entry into the electric vehicle space. Francisco Motors, the company long associated with the Philippine jeepney, pulled back the curtain on its first battery-electric model — the Elektron — on July 27, 2026, introducing a five-door compact crossover SUV aimed squarely at a segment currently dominated by foreign brands.
The timing of the launch was no coincidence. Francisco Motors said in its media materials that July 27 was selected to mark the birth anniversary of the late Jorge T. Francisco, the visionary behind the company’s founding. The pricing of the top-tier Deluxe variant — set at ₱1,947,000 — also mirrors the year the company was established, as does the reservation fee structure under its early-access program. The company itself noted both choices as deliberate tributes to its origins.
Three Trims, Three Battery Sizes
The Elektron lineup is structured around three distinct configurations, each stepping up in battery capacity and claimed driving range. At the entry level, the Basic variant is equipped with a 54.9-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack and a stated range exceeding 400 kilometers. The mid-range Fashion variant upgrades to a 63.2-kWh battery, pushing the claimed range past the 500-kilometer mark.
At the top of the range, the flagship Deluxe variant carries an 81.5-kWh battery paired with dual motors and an all-wheel drive configuration. Francisco Motors lists its claimed range at over 600 kilometers, with peak outputs of up to 340 kW of power and 640 Nm of torque. The company also cited a 0-to-100 km/h acceleration figure of 4.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 180 km/h for the Deluxe trim.
Across all three variants, the Elektron uses a CCS2 charging port with a listed fast-charge time of 30 minutes. The company is offering a warranty of up to eight years or 150,000 kilometers — whichever is reached first.
Body Dimensions, Interior Layout, and Available Features
In terms of physical size, the Elektron measures 4,640 mm in length, 1,870 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in height, riding on a 2,760-mm wheelbase. The cabin accommodates five passengers and provides 450 liters of boot capacity. Buyers can choose from five exterior paint options: Moon White, Lemon Yellow, Natron Red, Stellar Black, and Oasis Green.
Inside, the Elektron comes with a digital instrument cluster, a central touchscreen display, and a rotary controller positioned on the center console. Depending on the selected trim, available features include ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, wireless device charging, a fixed panoramic roof, and an electronically adjustable driver’s seat. Safety technology listed includes electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, emergency brake assist, and a pedestrian alert system, with a more comprehensive driver-assistance package offered on higher trims.
The DOMENG AI Co-Pilot and Jeepney.io Integration
Beyond the hardware, Francisco Motors is framing the Elektron as a component of a broader digital mobility platform. According to the company, the SUV is integrated with a system called DOMENG — described as an AI co-pilot designed to connect vehicles, owners, service partners, and the Jeepney.io digital platform, which handles reservations, payments, and customer support functions. Francisco Motors was explicit in clarifying that DOMENG does not constitute an autonomous driving capability.
Founder Orbit: Early Reservations Echo the Company’s Birth Year
Francisco Motors opened early access slots through what it calls the Founder Orbit program. The scheme accepts the first 1,947 registrants — again referencing the company’s founding year — at a reservation fee of ₱1,947 per slot. However, the company clearly stated that a reservation under this program represents an expression of interest only; it does not guarantee vehicle delivery, final pricing, or confirmed allocation to any buyer.
Material Uncertainties Acknowledged at Launch
Francisco Motors itself acknowledged several significant open questions at the time of the Elektron’s unveiling. According to the company’s own disclosures, there is currently no confirmed Philippine delivery date, no independently validated range data, and no publicly named platform or manufacturing partner. All specifications released at launch are provisionally stated and remain subject to testing and regulatory validation.
On local production, Francisco Motors said it targets the start of Philippine-based Elektron assembly by 2028, with a longer-term objective to localize parts sourcing and final manufacturing within the country.
Entering a Crowded, Overseas-Dominated EV Market
The Elektron is stepping into an increasingly competitive Philippine EV landscape. Industry data cited in Francisco Motors’ launch context shows that BYD commanded approximately 55 percent of the Philippine EV market as of April 2026, on the back of 26,122 units sold during all of 2025. Vietnamese automaker VinFast, meanwhile, had emerged as the leading battery-electric vehicle brand among CAMPI-TMA member companies in early 2026.
Francisco Motors is positioning the Elektron as a Filipino-developed marque entering a field where imported models — predominantly from China and Vietnam — currently hold sway. The launch also coincides with the Philippine government’s ongoing push to accelerate EV adoption under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, a legislative framework designed to grow the country’s electric mobility sector.
By the Numbers
- ₱1,947,000 — asking price for the top-spec Deluxe variant
- ₱1,947 — Founder Orbit reservation fee, capped at 1,947 slots
- 54.9 kWh / 63.2 kWh / 81.5 kWh — battery sizes across Basic, Fashion, and Deluxe trims
- 400 km / 500 km / 600+ km — claimed range figures per respective variant
- 340 kW and 640 Nm — peak power and torque output of the Deluxe
- 4.3 seconds — stated 0–100 km/h sprint time for the Deluxe
- 180 km/h — listed top speed of the Deluxe variant
- 30 minutes — fast-charge time listed for all variants
- 8 years or 150,000 km — warranty coverage limit
- 450 liters — available boot space
- 55% — BYD’s share of the Philippine EV market as of April 2026
- 26,122 units — BYD’s Philippine sales total for 2025
- 2028 — Francisco Motors’ target year to begin local production
Why This Matters
The Elektron represents the first electric vehicle ever produced under the Francisco Motors name — a company that has shaped Philippine road transport for close to 80 years — marking a fundamental pivot in its business direction. By entering the battery-electric SUV segment, the company is placing a Filipino-branded product in direct competition with established Chinese and Vietnamese manufacturers at a moment when the Philippine government is actively promoting EV growth under existing legislation. That said, the absence of a confirmed delivery timeline, unverified range claims, and a production start date still two years away mean the Elektron’s actual commercial footprint will only become clear well after its splashy launch.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegrosoriental.com / wire reports
