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

May 30, 2025

Brace Yourselves For More Expensive Pickup Trucks As Excise Tax Exemption Has Been Removed

Carmakers who’ve been overly reliant on pickup trucks to boost their sales are in for a rude awakening as the Capital Market Efficiency Promotions Act (CMEPA) has been passed into law.

Changan, under Inchcape Philippines, is going the brand ambassador route by introducing Donny Pangilinan as its first-ever brand ambassador. And if that’s not enough to get your attention, how about price cuts of as much as P 520,000?

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the country’s leading automotive industry association, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a renewed vision for the future.

When Honda announced that they’re working on their next-generation two-motor hybrid system, they also mentioned something about an electric all-wheel drive system. Now, the carmaker has announced more technical details of this system which will become a core technology in its electrified model line-up.

Around 6 months after the opening of its first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station at NLEX KM 23 Northbound, Petron has expanded the location of its Petron Power Up EV Chargers to five additional locations.

Toyota Motor Philippines adds a new variant to its Hilux for 2025, bringing the total number of available Hilux models (not counting special colors) to a total of 14.

Jetour Auto Philippines Inc. (JAPI) opens its newest dealership: Jetour Auto Taytay. Located in the CW Depot Compound along the Manila East Road in Barangay Dolores in Taytay, province of Rizal, its 130 square meters of business space is able to display up to 5 Jetour models. Plus, it also offers a charging port for the brand’s electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

VinFast Inks Deal With 4 New Partners To Expand Service Network

Instead of expanding its own dealership network, VinFast continues its unorthodox strategy of appointing additional service partners to service its vehicles in the country. The Vietnamese EV maker has signed a collaboration agreement with four new partners: Goodyear Philippines, Tire King and Rubber Products, Power Tread Services, and Marcjan Cavite to help VinFast reach its goal of establishing 100 authorized service workshops across the Philippines this year.

EV, hybrid, or diesel—Dongfeng Motors Philippines is making its line-up more accessible to Filipino motorists until June 30, 2025 with this nationwide promo.

Toyota will begin construction of a new Tokyo Head Office which will be completed by fiscal year 2030. The new office will be located at the Shinagawa Station West Exit—one of the most important transportation hubs in Japan.

Suzuki Philippines, in partnership with MG Gateway Mantrade Corporation, inaugurated Suzuki Auto Sta. Rosa. This is the third Suzuki dealership under the Gateway Mantrade network, further strengthening the group’s footprint in Southern Luzon.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) continues its streak as the leading truck brand in the country, securing an impressive 43 percent truck market share from January to April, based on the combined report from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc. (TMA). With 1,592 truck units sold in the first four months of the year, IPC further solidifies its reputation as the most trusted truck brand in the Philippines for 25 consecutive years.

China’s Ministry of Commerce is meeting with some of the country’s biggest automakers to discuss whether some of them are faking sales to boost their numbers or reach targets. If proven true, it could be masking weakening sales in mainland China.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) concluded the second of three Race Weekends of the 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup). The premier motorsports event saw more than 12,000 attendees experience the thrill of various racing and driving activities on the streets last May 23 to 25 in Villar City, south of Manila.

Bajaj Auto is taking over struggling Austrian motorcycle brand, KTM. The Indian motorcycle manufacturer and the third largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world has given KTM a total of 800-million euros (USD 905 million) in infusion transforming Bajaj from a minority stakeholder to having majority control. The move will enable KTM is bring its production facilities back online.

FUSO Philippines Recognized At 2025 Daimler Truck Regional Awards

Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation (SFP), the Philippines’ general distributor of Fuso trucks and buses brought home three international recognitions from the 2025 Daimler Truck Regional Center Southeast Asia (RC SEA) Awards.

Geely Auto achieved a strong revenue of RMB 72.5 billion (USD 10.06 billion), an increase of 25 percent year-on-year, in the first quarter of 2025. At the same time, they sold 704,000 units—a 48 percent year-on-year increase, completing 26 percent of its 2.71-million-unit annual sales target.

ACMobility has switched on the fastest EV charging station in the Philippines, to date: the 480-kW ultrafast DC charger located in Makati City. This is joined by another 240-kW DC charger located in the same area. Installed in partnership with the Makati Commercial Estate Association (MACEA) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), the new high-performance chargers are now operational at the Corinthians Carpark, with the Leviste Carpark set to follow.

Formula 1 has signed a deal with PepiCo in a multi-year agreement that will see the drinks giant become an Official Partner of the sport until 2030. The deal will bring PepsiCo’s powerhouse products including Sting Energy, Gatorade, and Doritos.

UAAGI On The Move Heads To SM Mall Of Asia This May 29-June 1, 2025

Following the success of its inaugural leg, United Asia Automotive Group (UAAGI) is bringing back its UAAGI On the Move—its multi-brand automotive road show. This time, it’s heading to the Central Atrium of the SM Mall of Asia this Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1, 2025.

After launching its SU7 in January 2024, Xiaomi is following that up with the YU7. With a name derived from, “御风而行” (riding the wind), it’s the second high-performance vehicle from one of China’s tech leaders.

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) officially unveils the new Creta, and for the first time, is now available in the N Line variant.

Inchcape Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Changan in the country, was awarded at the 2025 Changan Automobile Overseas Partner Conference in Chongqing, China.

New car sales stalled last April, sliding 10 percent year-on-year. It’s the biggest annual decline in more than three years, dragged down by a double-digit decline in passenger car (PC) sales.

Yes, EV And HEV Owners Can Still Use EDSA Freely Despite Upcoming Odd/Even Scheme

Electric vehicles and hybrids will still be exempted from the upcoming EDSA odd-even scheme, this is according to a report published in Top Gear Philippines.

This is the Mazda MX-5 or, depending where you’re from, Roadster or Miata. It’s a car that needs little introduction since every car guy either drives one, or dreams of driving one. It’s for this reason why the adage, “Miata is always the answer” came about. Feeling happy? Drive a Miata. Depressed? Drive a Miata. It’s the automotive equivalent of polishing off a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. No one’s going to question your taste, except perhaps your dietician.

Fires—it’s one of the worst nightmares for car owners out there, and one that should be discussed about more frequently. While they’re rare and mostly preventable, sometimes, disasters do strike, and when they do, they hit. Hard. Normally, the solution would be to douse the fire with huge quantities of water, or if you’re lucky enough, use an appropriate fire extinguisher. But what do you do in the off chance that there’s not enough water pressure, or if the vehicle fire you’re fighting has already undergone thermal runaway? The solution to that would be to use a Bridgehill Car Fire Blanket.

Honda Cars Fairview will be hosting the Honda Club of the Philippines (HCP)’s 24th anniversary and grand eyeball (grand EB) this Sunday, June 29 from 1 PM to 6 PM.

At the media press conference during Day 1 of Round 2 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup, I asked Toyota Motor Philippines President Masando Hashimoto what it was like to race on a street circuit just like the one at Villar City, South of Manila and how it was different to racing in a circuit like the Clark International Speedway.

Here's A Closer Look At The Toyota Tamaraw Racing Concept

The go-to place for go-fast cars is Autoplus Sports. So, when it came to the challenging of building a racing concept of the next-generation Tamaraw, guess who Toyota Motor Philippines approached? You guessed it, Autoplus Sports.

MG To Offer Tailored Products, Services To Each Regional Market

SAIC Motor, the parent company of MG’s official distributor in the Philippines, says it will focus on combining global innovation with deep local engagement by launching vehicles and services tailored to each regional market it serves.

Just when you thought you were marked, “safe” from the budol that’s the Mazda driving shoe by Mizuno, the carmaker this time entered into a collab with fellow Hiroshima-based company, Spingle, to come up with a line of sneakers to commemorate 35 years of the MX-5.

The Balenciaga | Automobili Lamborghini Just Dropped

Balenciaga | Automobili Lamborghini collaboration has just dropped. Unveiled as part of the Fall 25 collection, this partnership celebrates a shared commitment to cutting-edge innovation, blending automotive aesthetics with the House’s codes.

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) is bringing the Hyundai Mobility Experience to Eastwood Mall for the first time, today until May 25. Mallgoers can get to see the newly launched all-new Elantra in the N Line and Hybrid variants. Joining the display are the hybrid variants of the brand’s SUVs, the Santa Fe and the Tucson.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is giving you 170,000 reasons to attend the second race weekend of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup happening at Villar City, south of Manila. From May 23 to 25, would-be Toyota buyers can get event-exclusive discounts of up to P 170,000.

Missing the WRX STI? Well, this could very well be the closest thing Philippine Subaru fans will get. Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the country, is decking out both the WRX sedan and WRX wagon with STI parts for a limited time. Best of all, they come free of charge!

Nissan Philippines proudly takes part in the B.League Final Week Manila 2025, collaborating for one of the most exciting basketball events of the year. Happening from May 22 to 25 at Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2, Japanese basketball’s elite athletes and the passionate energy of Filipino fans come together to celebrate excellence, culture, and performance.

Honda’s cumulative global production of motorcycles has reached 500 million units—76 years after the company began mass-production of motorcycles in 1949 with the Dream D-Type.

Pop quiz: what’s the best-selling luxury car brand in China? Mercedes-Benz? BMW? Porsche? No. It’s Aito. The flagship brand of Seres Group, Aito has become the hottest seller in the world’s largest auto market in less than four years.

Astara-backed JMC Philippines has officially partnered with C&D Motors, a subsidiary under the Producers Savings Bank Corporation umbrella. The agreement, signed last May 22, marks the beginning of a collaboration aimed at increasing JMC’s profile and expanding its presence in Nueva Ecija.

Team Kramer, Camille Prats, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Big Boy Cheng, DJ Chacha, Paul Salas, Vhong Navarro, and, just recently Anthony “Ka Tunying” Taberna—do celebrity endorsements make you consider a certain brand or vehicle? Judging by how Jetour Auto Philippines does its marketing, then the answer is a resounding yes.

Petron Launches Universal Ready-To-Use Super Coolant

Petron launches Petron Super Coolant, a line of ready-to-use engine coolant specifically formulated for the demanding conditions of Philippine roads. With advanced heat protection, anti-rust technology, and deposit-prevention features, Petron Super Coolant delivers superior engine care for both cars and motorcycles.

Lexus Philippines will be displaying its performance-oriented F Sport models at the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup Round 2. This is happening on May 23 to 25 at Villar City, South of Manila.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the new Audi Q6 e-tron its coveted 2025 Top Safety Pick+ rating. The U.S.-based organization validated the Q6 e-tron’s comprehensive array of convenience and safety features with its highest rating, despite changes to its crash test criteria this year.

Lynk & Co’s “Upgrade to First-Class Drives,” running until June 30 offers accessible low monthly amortizations, all-in down payment options, or cash discounts on the Lynk & Co 01 PHEV, 02 E-SUV, 03+ Sports Sedan, 05 AWD, and 06.

Toyota made global headlines with the reveal of the all-new, sixth-generation RAV4. Although the focus is mostly on its design, standard (and more powerful) hybrid powertrains, and improved safety, it will also be the first vehicle to use Toyota’s new Arene in-car software.

Roomier Than An Alphard, Faster Than A Rolls-Royce, Zeekr PH Launches The 009 Luxury MPV

Zeekr, the global luxury new energy vehicle brand distributed by Autohub Group, brings in the Zeekr 009—an all-electric EV that reinforces Zeekr’s bold ambition to lead the luxury EV segment in the Philippines.

It’s been a while since the Toyota Vios dominated the streets. You might be wondering why since all its iterations are already a common sight on our roads. What I’m talking about is the Toyota Vios speeding on the streets in a lawful manner.

Li Auto has officially inaugurated its first retail space not just in the Philippines, but in Southeast Asia. Located at the Sennett Corporate Center in Taguig City, the showroom is set to introduce Filipino families to Li Auto’s unique approach to intelligent electric vehicles.

Shell Philippines officially launched the Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshops. The Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshop is a partnership between Shell Helix and various established auto workshops nationwide that aims to provide world-class car care to every Filipino motorist.

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