CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

October 1, 2024

Celebrate International Coffee Day At Lexus Mitsukoshi

Coffee remains to be a brew that’s loved the world over, most especially in Japan where it has been ingrained in their culture since the late 19th century. Japanese baristas are known to be able to bring out the aromas and flavors from various coffee beans sourced from around the world, specially crafting each cup with masterful skill and precision using unique brewing methods and techniques.

The 2024 GAC EMKOO Hybrid Is An Alluring Green Contender

I’m liking GAC’s aggression in the Philippines. They keep launching cars one after another and all of them are formidable in their respective segments in terms of features and pricing. However, they can’t turn a blind eye to the steady influx of hybrid cars in the market. These electrified cars are, obviously, selling otherwise, they won’t keep on arriving like tourists in Boracay. So, it was a matter of time for GAC Motor to enter the fray as well.

JAC Philippines, distributed by Astara Philippines, launches the all-new Ytterby EV alongside the official inauguration of JAC Pasig—its newest dealership in Metro Manila.

Mazda has received a Guinness World Record for the longest running one-make automobile racing series. With the 35th running of the 4-hour Mazda Media Roadster 4-Hour Endurance Race last September 21, the record was made official at the Tsukuba Circuit in Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), announces its role as one of the official mobility partners for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), hosted by the Philippines in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The conference, taking place from October 14 to 18, 2024, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, will gather around 3,000 global leaders and delegates to address critical disaster risk reduction strategies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hyundai celebrated a significant corporate milestone, marking 100 million units of global cumulative production. This achievement was accomplished in just 57 years since the company’s foundation, making it one of the fastest in the global automotive industry. In honor of this milestone, Hyundai Motor held a ceremony at its Ulsan Plant in Korea.

Ayala Drops KTM And Husqvarna Brands

Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), operated by Ayala Corporation, is ceasing its operations as the official Philippine distributor of KTM and Husqvarna starting October 1, 2024 eight years since they got the brand. The announcement was made on the brands’ respective social media channels.

2025 BYD Seagull Is A Full-Featured, 300-km Capable EV With A P 898K Price Tag (w/ Specs)

BYD Cars Philippines isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. After launching the Sealion 6 DM-i last July (read our review), the world’s best-selling New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand is entering the sub-B-segment passenger car segment with the Seagull.

The P 875K JAC JS2 PRO Is Now Available (w/ Spec Sheet)

JAC Philippines announces the availability of its new entry-level offering: the JS2 Pro sub-compact SUV. Now the brand’s most accessible model, it enters the country with a P 875,000 price tag. The price includes a 5-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty as well as a free 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for the first year.

Gear up for the ultimate off-road experience at the 4x4 Expo happening at Parklinks Pasig from September 27 to 29, 2024. This 3-day event will run from 9 AM to 5 PM daily and is set to be the premier gathering for enthusiasts of off-road vehicles, outdoor adventure, and the overlanding lifestyle. Entrance to the event is free, welcoming all adventurers, gearheads, and families alike.

Grab Accelerates Roll Out Of New Safety Measures

Grab Philippines is accelerating its commitment to safety with a multi-faceted strategy, introducing new tech features and comprehensive driver safety education programs. This enhances the overall safety of its platform.

Want to be a service technician? Well, this boot camp program may just be for you. The Kia Technician’s Boot Camp is designed to be a “high-impact,” intensive training program to produce well-rounded and highly skilled technicians for the Kia dealership network.

Audi Philippines has announced the arrival of the highly anticipated Audi RS 6 Avant GT, coinciding with a recent visit from regional officers specializing in sales and after-sales operations. This event underscores Audi’s dedication to enhancing its presence in the Philippine market and highlights a positive outlook for the brand’s future in the region.

Mazda may have revived their iconic Zoom-Zoom tagline for some markets, but North America won’t be one of them. Instead, they’re moving into a new direction with their “Move and Be Moved” campaign.

In a continuing effort to empower the next generation of automotive professionals, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has once again demonstrated its commitment to enhancing technical education in the Philippines.

After its brand launch last April, the first batch of Hycan V09 all-electric MPVs have arrived from China.

Lamborghini Manila has unveiled the Revuelto, the first super sports V12 HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). Its launching marks the beginning of Direzione Cor Tauri, the brand’s electrification strategy.

Toyota Motor Philippines has opened two new service centers: one in South Cotabato in Mindanao—the Toyota Koronadal Service Center, and the other in Cebu, in Visayas—the Toyota Danao, Cebu Service Center.

Iloilo will be the site of Lynk & Co’s first dealership in the Visayas region. The groundbreaking ceremony for it was made recently marking the next chapter in the brand’s expansion in the country.

Does The VinFast VF 3 Have The Lowest Operating Cost Among Cars?

The VinFast VF 3 just made its debut in the Philippines—the first market outside of VinFast’s home market of Vietnam to do so. With that, the carmaker comes with a bold claim: the mini-EV SUV promises better comfort, weather protection, and a monthly operating cost that rivals that of some A-segment cars and even a gas-powered motorcycle.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) invites racing fans to experience the fun of the racetracks at the second race weekend of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup) happening on September 28 at the Clark International Speedway in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Chery has once again claimed the top spot in initial quality among Chinese domestic brands in the J.D. Power 2024 China Initial Quality Study (IQS) results, following its standout performance in 2023. The brand also managed to top the J.D. Power China Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study as well.

Nissan Breaks Ground On New Bukidnon Dealership

Nissan Philippines is proud to announce the groundbreaking of its newest dealership in Bukidnon, located along Sayre Highway in Valencia City. The new Nissan Bukidnon dealership, which is set to open in the second quarter of FY25 (September 2025), marks another step in Nissan’s vision to expand its presence in the Philippines and provide exceptional service to customers nationwide.

Review: 2024 MG3 Hybrid+

Just about every car brand is abandoning the B-sized hatchback segment in favor of small crossovers and SUVs. Realizing this gap in the market, one unexpected entrant has arrived and that’s in the form of MG with their MG3. For a brand that’s become a household name locally thanks to a crossover—the ZS—going the small hatchback route seems odd. In terms of branding, however, it’s pure magic. See, MG may have British origins, but ever since it’s been bought by China’s SAIC, there have been apprehensions on the sort of vehicles they come up with. Well, what a better way to shut those critics up with a nice, proper small car, right?

The Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) has just certified the range of the Omoda E5 (aka Omoda 5 EV). It validates the EV SUV’s 430-kilometer range on a single charge.

Jetour Auto Philippines Inc (JAPI) adds another key dealership location to its rapidly expanding nationwide network, this time at the heart of northern Mindanao, as Jetour Auto Cagayan De Oro officially opened its doors to the citizens of one of the country’s most populous and busiest cities.

Right after its local debut, Mini Philippines brings its all-new Cooper and Countryman to its first-ever public display at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati. This roadshow is happening from September 21 to 23, 2024.

Philippines, welcome the new Mini family. The 2025 range, composed of the Cooper and Countryman comes in both internal combustion and, for the first time ever, all-electric powertrains for the local market.

The Yet-To-Be-Launched Omoda 5 Just Got A Refresh For 2025

Well…how’s this for an issue with the yet-to-be-launched Omoda 5? The compact crossover has yet to go on retail sale in the Philippines (thanks to numerous delays and pushbacks), but it’s just been facelifted for the global market! To make matters worse, the first batch of the now-old Omoda 5s have been made it into the country pretty much punishing the brand’s early adopters.

Chevrolet PH Teases 2025 Captiva

It looks like Chevrolet is ready to fire its initial salvo courtesy of its new distributor, Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI). Their weapon of choice? The all-new 2025 Captiva.

Kia Philippines has just unwrapped the new Kia Carnival. The longest running Kia nameplate in the country, the 2025 Carnival arrives with updated styling, a slew of advanced technology, and unrivaled power.

In a world where sportiness is equated with the aggressive nature of dominance, GAC takes on an unconventional flavor with the new GAC Emzoom Touring Edition. This new variant is the brand’s nod to the bestselling, well-loved Emzoom GB, coming in hot with an upgraded, more sophisticated, and more inviting aesthetic. It stands to create a balance between the Emzoom’s original energetic character with the undeniable passions of an evolving market.

Aion makes its Philippine debut with the opening of its flagship showroom in Makati City. Aion is the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand of GAC Motor and despite its launch models, the Aion ES and Aion Y Plus carrying the same “G” branding, it’s not brought in by Astara, rather it’s distributed by Dangdang New Energy Auto Service (Philippines) Limited Corporation.

Are premium off-roaders the next big thing in the car industry? That seems to be the case as more contenders are coming into the country. The ROX 01 is one such car and it boasts of a powerful hybrid system, long EV-only range, and very premium appointments in the cabin. It’s not surprising that it starts at P 4,288,000.

Go All-Electric With The 2024 JAC Ytterby For Just P 1.195M

JAC Philippines is putting the pressure on other battery electric vehicles (particularly the similarly-styled Ora 03 aka Good Cat) with the launch of the 2024 Ytterby. This full-electric hatchback hits JAC Philippines showrooms starting September 27, 2024.

BAIC is maintaining their momentum since they returned earlier this year. After the launch of their initial lineup, they’ve now added one more into their roster. This time, it’s the B30e Dune: their new entry-level, powerful off-roader with an attractive introductory price of P 1,488,000.

Chevrolet Philippines, under the distributorship of Hariphil Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), introduces the Chevy Road Safety National Service Caravan, a nationwide campaign delivering precision maintenance and exceptional workmanship to Chevrolet owners. Running from September 16 to December 15, 2024, this service caravan ensures every Chevrolet receives the highest level of care, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to road safety and reliability.

Astara-led GAC Motor Philippines continues to drive its aggressive expansion across the country with two key milestones by opening GAC Motor Kawit operated by 1Dynamix Automotive, Inc. and GAC Motor Mindanao Avenue operated by Autokid Motors.

China’s Foton and Germany’s ZF Group just signed an agreement to introduce advanced commercial vehicle hybrid drive systems into the Chinese market to support the diversified needs of new energy transformation.

Aligning with its 2050 carbon neutrality goal, Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) and Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) jointly held the One Honda Electrification event to showcase its current and upcoming electrified products.

Nissan is marking the 40th anniversary of Nismo. Established on September 17, 1984 as Nissan Motorsport International Co. Limited, Nismo, is the in-house tuning, motorsports, and performance division of Nissan. The brand represents the embodiment of the company’s dedication to performance, both on the racetrack and on public roads.

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has launched the official website and social media pages of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the transformation of the Philippines’ primary gateway begins.

Honda Cars Philippines has previewed the new Civic RS e:HEV at its One Honda Electrification event. The first-ever electrified Civic, it gains a revamped exterior and enhanced interior together with the most powerful hybrid offering in its segment.

Review: 2025 BYD Sealion 6 DM-i

Hats off to the folks at BYD Cars Philippines—when it came to marketing their first-ever plug-in hybrid, the Sealion 6 DM-i. They managed to grab attention for one thing: its 1,100-kilometer range. They’ve emphasized that further when they decided to test the bladders (and patience) of the motoring press as they drove from Manila to Ilocos and back in just a tank of gas. But beyond the distance it can go between fill-ups, does it offer more than your average compact SUV? Turns out that it does, especially when you consider its P 1.548-million price tag.

VinFast PH Launches VF 3 Mini e-SUV For Just P 605K*

VinFast Philippines is now accepting reservations for its all-electric mini-SUV, the VF 3. Marking the first time it’s made available outside of VinFast’s home market of Vietnam, the four-seater EV enters the country with a starting price of just P 605,000 (inclusive of battery subscription).

Coinciding with the opening of their new showroom, Lotus Philippines has unveiled the Emeya—its first four-door electric grand tourer.

Formula 1 and Lenovo have announced the extension of its partnership that will see the technology giant elevated to a Global Partner in a multi-year renewal starting from the beginning of 2025. As part of the deal, Motorola, a subsidiary of Lenovo Group, will become Global Smartphone Partner of F1.

Despite the influx of electrified brands and cars in the Philippines, many Filipinos are still on the fence about making the switch towards these next-generation vehicles. This is why BYD Cars Philippines made things easier for the curious to learn more about their lineup and technology in the new BYD Experience Hub.

Benoit Jacob is now the Executive Design Director of GAC. A celebrated automotive designer, Jacob will be working closely with Fan Zhang, the Vice-President of GAC R&D Center to spearhead the brand’s design strategy and practice.

Your automotive journey starts with the United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI). This September, the UAAGI On The Move pop-up showroom is happening at the Maybank Synergy Center in Bonifacio Global City. From September 16 to 26, 2024, immerse yourself in the world of UAAGI’s four renowned auto brands: BAIC, Chery, Foton, and Lynk & Co. Enjoy exclusive rewards from Maybank when you make a vehicle reservation or avail of an auto financing plan during the duration of this pop-up.

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