Chery Auto Philippines previewed two new electric vehicles (EV) and a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at the 2023 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS). While no official prices were revealed at the event, the automaker mentioned a few key features that might entice interested customers to make a reservation once they officially launch. The automotive brand is going green and addressing the increasing demand for cleaner vehicles that don't rely on fossil fuels as gas and diesel pr

Resurgence is the word that perhaps best characterizes how GAC Motor Philippines is doing nowadays. Ever since multinational automotive distributor Astara took over local operations on December 2022, the Chinese car brand’s image and vehicle lineup have gotten a huge boost amid the surge of new cars from the People’s Republic. GAC Motor Philippines’ improved fortunes are also being helped by the recent appointment of highly respected industry veterans Franz Decloedt and Timmy De Leon, who serve

“In this business, you gotta have a tough skin.” This is what Visor.Ph Editor-in-Chief Vernon Sarne told me at last week's BMW M2 launch event. Chief, as I fondly call him to this day (he got me to join Top Gear Philippines magazine as a cover photographer and writer back in 2010), has seen it all and has been through wars ordinary people would have waived the white flag early on. The mental and physical stress this job entails can be too much for someone who cares about his craft. So when we he

This year’s auto industry rigodon has new participants. Astara Philippines, the multinational mobility distributor that handles the local operations of Peugeot and GAC Motor, announced in an August 2023 press statement that it has appointed two well-renowned executives in key leadership positions. Timmy Naval-de Leon, who was formerly head of corporate communications of the Ayala Corporation’s automotive arm AC Motors for nine years, is now Astara Phiippines’ new marketing director. Naval-de Leo

Following the unveiling of the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro mild-hybrid on June 2023, another electrified crossover will join the Chinese carmaker’s lineup Chery Auto Philippines announced in a July 2023 press statement that the first batch of the subcompact Chery Tiggo 5x Pro, which will also feature a mild-hybrid powertrain, has arrived in the Philippines. The Tiggo 5x Pro Hybrid and Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid, which were both showcased at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show, are expected to officially launc

Electrification has taken over the Philippines in many ways. There are battery-electric vehicles that offer near-silent, zero-emission mobility, along with truly stunning performance. And for those who don’t want to join the electric revolution quite yet, there are the mild hybrids. These pertain to cars with regular internal combustion engines that have small battery packs to assist with vehicle functions. Unlike a full hybrid, a mild hybrid cannot operate on purely electric power alone. Chery