After nearly eight decades of building vehicles that defined Philippine streets, Francisco Motors has taken its boldest step yet — crossing into the electric vehicle age with the formal introduction of the Elektron, a five-door battery-electric compact crossover SUV, on July 27, 2026. The company, which turns 79 this year and is widely credited with creating the iconic Filipino jeepney, priced the top-tier Deluxe variant at ₱1,947,000 — a figure as symbolic as it is commercial.
Francisco Motors confirmed in its media communications that both the launch date and the pricing carry deliberate meaning. The ₱1,947,000 price tag and the July 27 unveiling were chosen as tributes to the company's 1947 founding year and to honor the birth anniversary of the late Jorge T. Francisco, the visionary behind the company's enduring legacy.
Three Trim Levels, Three Battery Sizes
The Elektron lineup spans three configurations, each stepping up in battery capacity and driving range. According to Francisco Motors, the entry-level Basic variant is equipped with a 54.9-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery rated at over 400 kilometers of claimed range. The mid-range Fashion trim upgrades to a 63.2-kWh pack, pushing estimated range past 500 kilometers.
At the top of the range, the Deluxe variant carries an 81.5-kWh battery paired with dual motors and all-wheel drive. Francisco Motors claims this configuration delivers over 600 kilometers of range, a peak output of 340 kW, 640 Nm of torque, a 0-to-100 km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds, and a top speed of 180 km/h. Across all three trims, charging is handled through a CCS2 connection with a listed fast-charge time of 30 minutes. The company also announced a warranty covering up to eight years or 150,000 kilometers, whichever occurs first.
Size, Comfort, and Interior Technology
The Elektron's body measures 4,640 mm in length, 1,870 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in height, sitting on a 2,760-mm wheelbase. The cabin accommodates five occupants, with 450 liters of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. Buyers may choose from five exterior color options: Moon White, Lemon Yellow, Natron Red, Stellar Black, and Oasis Green.
Inside, Francisco Motors has fitted the Elektron with a digital instrument cluster, a central touchscreen display, and a rotary controller mounted on the center console. Depending on the selected trim level, additional features include ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, wireless device charging, a fixed panoramic roof, and an electronically adjustable driver's seat. On the safety side, the vehicle comes with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, emergency brake assistance, and a pedestrian alert system, with a more comprehensive driver-assistance package available on higher trims.
DOMENG AI Co-Pilot and the Jeepney.io Ecosystem
Beyond the vehicle itself, Francisco Motors is presenting the Elektron as a node within a broader digital mobility platform. The company stated that the SUV integrates with DOMENG, an artificial intelligence co-pilot designed to connect vehicle owners with the Jeepney.io services network — covering reservations, payment processing, and customer support. Francisco Motors was explicit in clarifying that DOMENG is not an autonomous driving system and should not be interpreted as such.
Founder Orbit: 1,947 Slots at ₱1,947 Each
To mark the launch, Francisco Motors opened a Founder Orbit reservation program accepting the first 1,947 sign-ups at a reservation fee of ₱1,947 — once again echoing the company's founding year. However, Francisco Motors was careful to note in its disclosures that submitting a reservation constitutes an expression of interest only. The reservation does not guarantee a vehicle allocation, lock in a final price, or confirm delivery terms.
Major Uncertainties Cloud the Launch
For all the excitement surrounding the Elektron's debut, Francisco Motors itself acknowledged several significant limitations in its own launch disclosures. According to the company, no confirmed Philippine delivery date has been set, all published specifications remain provisional and subject to further testing and regulatory validation, and no named manufacturing platform partner has been identified. Local production is targeted for 2028, with a longer-term plan to bring parts sourcing, component manufacturing, and final assembly to the Philippines — but those milestones remain years away.
A Filipino Brand Entering a Competitive EV Landscape
The timing of the Elektron's entry places Francisco Motors in direct competition with well-established overseas manufacturers that have already built considerable market presence in the Philippines. Industry data cited by Francisco Motors indicates that BYD held approximately 55 percent of Philippine electric vehicle market share as of April 2026, having sold 26,122 units in the country throughout 2025. Meanwhile, Vietnamese automaker VinFast had emerged as the leading battery-electric vehicle brand among CAMPI-TMA members in the early months of 2026.
Francisco Motors is positioning the Elektron specifically as a Filipino-developed brand competing in a segment currently dominated by foreign manufacturers. The move aligns with the Philippine government's ongoing push to expand electric vehicle adoption under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which provides a policy framework intended to accelerate EV uptake across the country.
By the Numbers
- ₱1,947,000 — retail price of the flagship Deluxe variant
- ₱1,947 — Founder Orbit reservation fee; capped at 1,947 slots
- 54.9 kWh / 63.2 kWh / 81.5 kWh — battery capacities across Basic, Fashion, and Deluxe trims
- 400+ / 500+ / 600+ km — claimed range per respective trim level
- 340 kW / 640 Nm — peak power and torque, Deluxe variant
- 4.3 seconds — claimed 0–100 km/h acceleration time, Deluxe
- 30 minutes — listed CCS2 fast-charge time across all variants
- 8 years / 150,000 km — warranty coverage period
- 450 liters — rear cargo volume
- 55% — BYD's share of the Philippine EV market as of April 2026
- 26,122 units — BYD vehicles sold in the Philippines during 2025
- 2028 — Francisco Motors' target year for local Elektron production
Why This Matters
Francisco Motors' pivot to electric vehicles represents a significant strategic transformation for a company that has spent nearly 80 years at the heart of Philippine road transport — most notably through the jeepney, a symbol of Filipino culture and mobility. By entering the EV segment under a Filipino brand name, the company is challenging the dominance of Chinese and Vietnamese automakers in a market that the Philippine government is actively trying to grow through dedicated legislation. Yet the Elektron's real-world commercial impact will only become clear after 2028, given that its specifications are still unvalidated, no delivery timeline has been confirmed, and the local production infrastructure has yet to be built.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegor.com