Largely wonderful weather this last week! As the holiday season draws near, it’s been clear skies with cool, refreshing breezes that can help us lay off the air-conditioning (and, consequently, bring our sky-high electric bills down). Despite the chilliness rolling in, it’s been a hot week for one Asian carmaker – and for once, it isn’t from China! Hyundai Philippines launched two new models last week and is mulling over bringing even more. The South Korean company is among your five favorite st

A coding-exempt pickup? Maybe, maybe not? Toyota plans to build a "mild-hybrid" version of the Toyota Hilux by adding a 48-volt system to the pickup truck. A report from Toyota Australia has confirmed that the GD mild-hybrid system is a go and that the Hilux will be the first to get the new mild-hybrid assist feature in 2024. For those who don’t know, the Philippine version of the Toyota Hilux is equipped with the 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV turbo diesel engine. The hybrid version of this engine will repo

The Nissan Almera has gotten a new look, which made its ASEAN debut on May 11, 2023, in Thailand. Our friends from AutoFun Thailand confirmed from the Nissan Thailand managing director that the facelifted Almera will be exported to other ASEAN markets, including the Philippines, starting June 2023. Nissan Thailand said the Almera comes in four variants: E, EL, V, and VL. Up front, the subcompact sedan adopts the massive grill of its American sibling, the Nissan Versa. These include horizontal sl

With the passing of the EVIDA Law in the Philippines, Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles, or HEV's and BEVs for short, are starting to pop up in the market from all different kinds of manufacturers. The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), Republic Act No. 11697 is primarily focused on developing a manufacturing industry for electric vehicles. It also reinforces the EV-specific importation provisions of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law i

The last time we reported on Spanish-based car distributor Astara, it was finalizing its plans to enter the grueling 2023 Dakar Rally. But the company announced more relevant news in a December 1, 2022 press statement following its formal contract signing with Chinese carmaker GAC Motor in the Philippines. Astara began operations locally on January 2022 and distributes the French car brand Peugeot. The firm also distributes GAC Motor in Peru and Chile. “We are truly honored to continue GAC Motor

Over the past decade, an oft-repeated but rarely turned into concrete action posit of the local auto industry was a need to shift to electric and hybrid cars. The 2022 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) showed attendees that the shift above wasn't just idle chat. Pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs) were highlights of more than one automaker at PIMS. For example, Kia's EV6 full-electric compact crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) was front and center at the