Manufactured in Volkswagen’s global hubs in Brazil, Germany, and China (where the Philippines will get its supply), the T-Cross promises a lot. But Volkswagen Philippines is so confident about it that despite the pandemic, they still hold a positive outlook on the local automotive market.

And who could blame them? The Volkswagen T-Cross is globally multi-awarded for its design, engineering, and safety. Here are some of the trophies in the T-Cross’s cabinet:

• 5-star European NCAP
• 5-star Latin NCAP
• 5-star Australian NCAP
• Best Compact SUV – BusinessCar Awards 2019 (UK)
• Compact SUV of the Year 2020 (Ireland)
• Best Exterior Volume Brand – Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 (Germany)
• Compact SUV of the Year – UOL Carros 2019 (Brazil)
• Compact SUV of the Year – L’Auto Preferita 2019 (Brazil)
• Compact Family Car – 5th cars.co.za Consumer Awards (South Africa)

Beyond awards, production of the T-Cross is in full swing in Volkswagen’s three aforementioned manufacturing hubs. Today, it’s sold in 55 countries, with global sales growing 46 percent in 2020 from 2019’s 202,000 units despite the pandemic.

Slated for a launch in the second quarter of the year, the T-Cross is the latest addition to the Volkswagen Philippines, signaling a better, more exciting, and more global Volkswagen.

Although Volkswagen Philippines has not released official details on the T-Cross yet, it is expected to be offered in two variants, both powered by a 1.5-liter normally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 113 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Pricing is said to be between P 1.1 to P 1.3 million.