Based on data from Statista, 1,013 EVs were sold locally in 2022—higher than 843 in 2021 and 378 in 2020. This could mainly be attributed to the implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) or the Republic Act No. 11697. EVIDA implementation, however, is still a work in progress. In the recent pre-event press conference on the upcoming 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS), Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) President Edmund Araga shared, “

Hybrid vehicles have slowly begun to become popular in the Philippine market. Automakers are increasingly releasing these kinds of cars, hoping to capitalize on the growing demand. Recent additions to the Philippine market include the likes of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Haval H6 and the Haval Jolion. Meanwhile, the likes of the Geely Okavango and the recently launched Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid are classified as "mild" hybrid vehicles. But just how do mild hybrids work? Wh

With the impending launch of the Hyundai Stargazer, Filipino subcompact MPV buyers will again be given another option to choose from in this hotly contested category. Along with the Suzuki Ertiga, the Toyota Veloz and Avanza, the Honda BR-V, the Mitsubishi Xpander, and the recently launched Nissan Livina, you can see how car manufacturers are going after a bigger slice of this growing pie. The trend is also evident around the ASEAN region, with PT Hyundai Motors Indonesia recently unveiling the

One of Suzuki’s most famous people carriers will soon come with numerous exterior and interior upgrades, but it’s made even better as it will soon boast a mild-hybrid powerplant. Dubbed by Suzuki as the “Smart Hybrid Technology,” it utilizes a K15 engine that’s mated to an integrated starter generator (ISG) and a 6Ah 12-volt lithium-ion battery. Power to the wheels continues to be sent through a 4-speed automatic transmission. Factory rated to put out 104.7 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and torque lev

The common English saying “crossing your Ts and dotting your Is” refers to being meticulous. With the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross, the Japanese automaker took lessons from the previously launched competition (such as the Suzuki Ertiga, Toyota Avanza, the now-defunct Honda Mobilio, and the SsangYong Rodius) and applied them to its starter multipurpose vehicle (MPV) when it was first introduced in 2020. Two years and a pandemic have passed, and one of the Nippon diamond star’s top sellers has un

Since its 2019 arrival, the Suzuki Ertiga was a fairly reasonable decision for personal transport for starting families or those looking for affordable utility. A sub-Php one million (actually, Php 728,000-Php 978,000) tag at launch, seating for six or seven, and value-for-money creature comforts made the vehicle a good pick. But is it still a considerable choice in projected hard times for the Philippine economy? The case for "No" That started with the rise in the price of entry, as the 2022 va