February 2025 | CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

February 28, 2025

BYD Shark 6 DM-O Scores Perfect At ANCAP Safety Test

The BYD Shark 6 DM-O is the first plug-in hybrid pickup truck to score a perfect Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) score with five stars.

It may be commonplace for vehicles developed for emerging markets to score poorly at the more stringent NCAP tests such as the Global NCAP or European NCAP, it comes as a shock that a new vehicle, manufactured in 2025, would net zero stars at something like the ASEAN NCAP. But, that’s exactly what happened with the Chinese-made Neta V which scored a big fat zero at its ASEAN NCAP safety test.

Kia To Integrate Samsung's SmartThings Pro Into Its PBV Line-Up

Kia Corporation has entered a strategic partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. to introduce next-generation ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) solutions for its Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBVs) offerings.

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) inaugurates its newest dealership, Hyundai Dumaguete, as part of its network expansion target of 45 dealerships by the end of 2025. The ceremony was held earlier today, February 27, marking the brand’s second dealership with Hyundai Bacolod Inc., under the Ponce Group.

Among all carmakers, Kia has been able to nail its design philosophy to a tee. Introduced as part of their brand redesign and Plan S strategy, Opposites United has become a cornerstone for the brand. Taking inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity, it’s enabled Kia vehicles to take on a strong familial look without looking like Matryoshka dolls of each other.

Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song isn’t too concerned with Chinese EVs. He believes that there’s space for them to coexist, at least for now. His comments come as Kia unveiled their expanded EV strategy at the 2025 Kia EV Day, their second global keynote that centers around the Korean automaker’s electrification strategy.

Kia completes their core passenger car EV line-up with the Concept EV2. The B-segment concept SUV previews a production model that’s slated to enter the market by 2026 with a starting price of just around 30,000 Euros (P 1.9-million).

Realizing that not everyone wants an EV crossover or SUV, Kia unveiled the EV4—its solitary car in the entire Kia EV family. Launched to compete in the compact segment, it represents Kia’s way of expanding the appeal of EVs to the “early majority” segment.

Kia is set not just to electrify its passenger vehicle line-up, but its light commercial vehicle line-up as well. Shown at the 2025 Kia EV Day is its first-ever offering: the PV5. As the first member of Kia’s PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) line-up, it’s being seriously considered for the Philippine market as Kia continues to embark on its upward journey to a more aspirational brand.

BYD isn’t having a good hump day, The world’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) leader just took their gloves off and delivered a jab at both Mercedes-Benz and Audi in a single Facebook post.

Honda Cars Cainta now has one of the largest, most completely equipped Body Repair and Paint (BRP) centers among the Honda Cars dealerships network nationwide.

2024 has been a year of significant growth in retail network and strategic partnerships for Caltex, the fuel brand marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI).

BAIC Philippines has opened its newest showroom and service facility at the heart of South Luzon’s investment capital in Santa Rosa, Laguna. BAIC Santa Rosa is under the ownership and management of Antara Ventures, Inc.

Inchcape Philippines, distributor of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Trucks in the Philippines, under its IC Automotive Inc. operations, officially launches the new 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel 3.0 in the country. Priced at P 5.25-million, the Ram 1500 Rebel brings the brand’s mix of capability, versatility with new luxury and cutting-edge technology features.

After launching the next-generation Tamaraw exclusively with the long wheelbase variant last year, Toyota Motor Philippines has now released the short wheelbase version of its light commercial vehicle as well.

Tesla Philippines has formally introduced the newest version of its best-selling vehicle, the Model Y. This comes as they’re further expanding their Supercharger network in the country.

BYD Cars PH Reveals Full Sked Of 2025 Tech Tour, Confirms MIAS And EV Summit Participation

BYD Cars Philippines and its official distributor in the country, ACMobility, hosted their first-ever campus showcase at the De La Salle University (DLSU). Held last February 10 to 12, 2025 at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall Grounds, the event offered DLSU students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in electrified vehicle technology and engage with the future of transportation.

As the days grow warmer, Lexus Philippines presents Summer in Style, an exclusive summer-themed pop-up event happening this March 1 to 2 at Lexus Mitsukoshi BGC.

JMC Philippines, under Astara, is set to expand its lineup by introducing EVs locally. Currently, the company offers two pickups, the Grand Avenue and Vigus, designed to meet the needs of customers in the growing pickup segment. The addition of electric vehicles (EVs) reflects the brand’s commitment to providing sustainable and eco-friendly mobility solutions for Filipino consumers.

The 2024 Philippine Rallycross Series concluded with a commanding victory for the Isuzu D-Max, securing championship titles in both the UV Class and Pick-up Class. Driven by back-to-back Rally Driver of the Year Louie Camacho, the Isuzu D-Max once again demonstrated its superior performance, durability, and reliability on the challenging dirt tracks of the competition.

The Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition made its Asia debut outside Japan in the Philippines at the Sports Cars for a Cause (SCFC) charity event in Bonifacio Global City. First shown at the Mazda Fan Festa last November in Fuji Speedway, this MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition is produced to celebrate the roadster’s 35th anniversary since its introduction in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show.

It looks like Hyundai Motor Philippines is adding a new member of their hybrid family soon. Appearing in LTO documents is the Hyundai Staria Hybrid which could join the Santa Fe Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid in the Korean automaker’s increasingly electrified line-up locally.

NAIA Operator Deploys More Free Inter-Terminal Shuttles

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has deployed eight additional inter-terminal shuttle buses at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), bringing the total number of newly acquired shuttles to 12. This expansion improves passenger mobility as air travel demand continues to rise.

The Q6 e-tron is Audi’s first production model using the Premium Platform Electric. What it means is that it’s targeting to set the standards in both range and efficiency, as well as design, engineering, and user experience. This is the new chapter of mobility according to Audi.

Volvo’s on a mission. They want to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040—one of the first carmakers to do so. Central to that would be an expanded EV line-up that’s designed and engineered with sustainability in mind. The first-ever EX30 is a step in that direction; it’s designed to have the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo car to date. Beyond caring for Mother Earth, it’s also a brilliant small EV SUV. It manages to distill everything you admire and love in a Volvo into one characterful package.

Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation (SFP), through its dealer partner, HMEN Motors – Fuso Pangasinan turned over a fleet of 27 Fuso Canter FE73 Drop-side units to the local government unit (LGU) of Burgos, Ilocos Sur. This turnover was part of the Farmer’s Day celebration, an annual festival event dedicated in honoring the farmers of Burgos for their invaluable contributions to the agriculture and economy of Ilocos Sur and the Philippines.

BYD Cars expands to Batangas City with the inauguration of BYD Batangas City. The dealership, operated by Harmony Auto Philippines, provides sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to Filipinos in Southern Luzon.

Suzuki Philippines and Grand Canyon Multi Holdings Inc. officially marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of the new Suzuki Auto Oton dealership, located at Barangay Poblacion South, Oton, Iloilo.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) recently celebrated its top-performing dealers for 2024 at the annual Toyota Dealer Awards held during the 2025 Dealer Conference. Outstanding marketing professionals and service advisers were also acknowledged during the Toyota Outstanding Performers in Sales and Service (TOPS) Awards.

Lynk & Co's Cutting Prices As Much As P 290K!

“Start Strong” isn’t just about the new year and new beginnings; it’s about getting off on the right foot with a reliable and modern mobility solution like Lynk & Co. It’s the upgrade you owe yourself. There’s nothing like a little motivation that comes with an upgrade, and the “Start Strong” promo gives you that first step towards a well-deserved reward.

A year (or two) in the making, Omoda & Jaecoo has finally, really, officially launched in the Philippines with three models: the Omoda C5, Omoda E5, and the Jaecoo EJ6. It makes the country the fifth Southeast Asian market for Omoda & Jaecoo.

Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. (MIPI), the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, is offering a special financing package for its 7-seater Evoltis in partnership BDO.

A total of 28,828 Toyota Raize sub-compact SUVs are subject to a recall due to possible hard braking. These units, covering a production period of December 1, 2021 to July 15, 2024 will require a re-programming of their engine ECU.

Sports Cars For A Cause Year 6 is happening this Sunday, February 23 at 4th Avenue and 27th Street by Seven NEO from 8 AM to 12 NN.

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp, the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, has announced a special edition of the BMW 520i. Offering the essential luxury amenities and features, it also comes at a lower suggested retail price: P 3,990,000—a P 1-million less than the regular 520i and priced close to that of a 3 Series Touring or X1 (P 3,890,000).

Kia Movement Tour Heads To Alabang As They Confirm MIAS Participation

Kia Philippines is taking its Kia Movement tour to the Alabang Town Center Activity Center this February 21 to 23, 2025. Mallgoers can check out first hand the carmaker’s diverse range of vehicles including Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), Hybrids, and Fully Electric Vehicles (EVs).

Meet the new lap record holder for EVs at Japan’s famed Tsukuba Circuit: the Ioniq 5 N. The fastest lap was achieved at the “Attack Tsukuba 2025” motorsports event last February 15 in a prepped Ioniq 5 N TA Spec car.

Aramco has taken a 25 percent equity stake in UniOil, one of the largest independent petroleum companies in the Philippines.

Kia continues to release trickles of information ahead of its second Kia EV Day which will be held in Tarragona, Spain. After showing off the exterior designs of the EV4 sedan and hatchback, the Korean carmaker has now done the same with the PV5 Passenger and Cargo models.

Mazda is reacting fast to the increased adoption of electrified vehicles in Southeast Asia by confirming that a slew of hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs are headed to the region between 2025 to 2027.

Reservations For BYD Shark 6 DMO Electrified Pickup Truck Open

Reservations for the BYD Shark DMO have officially opened across the entire BYD dealer network; this as stocks have started arriving in the Philippines.

Pop quiz: what was the best-selling 1.5-liter sub-compact sedan in 2024? If you’re thinking the Honda City or Toyota Vios, you get zero points. Apparently, both market stalwarts have now been overthrown by an unlikely rival, the MG 5.

Jetour Auto Philippines, Inc. is opening the order books to its second plug-in hybrid model and the first to offer seven seats: the Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM.

Are they getting together or aren’t they? The much-publicized Nissan-Honda merger saga is taking a new turn as Honda says they’re still willing to walk the aisle for as long as Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, gets the boot.

In October of last year, Lexus made headlines by introducing the first-ever hybrid powertrain for its flagship SUV, the LX, in the form of the LX 700h. Seems we’re getting pretty close to a Philippine market launch based on documents filed by Lexus Philippines with the LTO.

Service Your Hyundai, Get The Chance To Win A Brand-New Creta

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) kickstarts the first quarter of the year with an exclusive Hyundai Service Raffle promo, offering customers a chance to win a brand-new Hyundai Creta. The raffle promo is open to both under warranty and out-of-warranty customers who will avail of Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and General Repair Services until April 30, 2025.

Remember the Jaecoo 7 or J7? The boxy SUV was supposed to be part of Omoda & Jaecoo Philippines’ launch vehicle line-up, but has since fallen off the radar in favor of the all-electric Jaecoo 6 (EJ6) as well as the Omoda E5 and C5. What happened? Well, now we know.

Ferrari 12Clindri Arrives In The Philippines With A P 43.9-Million Starting Price

After we drove it in Luxemburg last year (watch our review), the Ferrari 12Cilindri has arrived in the Philippines. Inspired by the Prancing Horse’s legendary grand tourers of the 1950s and 60s, the 12Cilindri is the newest mid-front-engined Ferrari V12 that combines performance with elegance and design.

In the superhero world, great power comes with great responsibility. In the automotive world though, great power comes at a cost. Either you’re sacrificing fuel efficiency, or that car has a high price. BYD has a different belief though as they proved to us that both can be had in the same car.

The UAAGI On The Move Roadshow Tour, a multi-brand automotive event, is set to take place at the Fashion Hall of SM Megamall from February 20 to 23, 2025. This event marks the first leg of a four-part series happening throughout the year, bringing UAAGI’s top-notch automotive brands directly to Filipino consumers in popular destinations nationwide.

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