Disclosure: Omoda & Jaecoo Philippines took us on an all-expense paid trip to China. Hotel, accommodations, and transportation were taken care of by the company. This is not a paid advertisement. All our comments and observations were not previewed nor pre-approved by Omoda & Jaecoo Philippines. Okay, let’s get the white elephant out of the way. We know a lot of you harbor anti-Chinese car brand sentiments. Whether it’s from your own experience or you’re just waving the flag of nationalism, it’s

Kia Philippines Motor Corporation (KPMC), the official importer and distributor of Kia vehicles, has announced the leadership appointment of Brian Beundia as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) starting July 1, 2023. As a bit of history, Kia in the Philippines was relaunched in 2019 under Ayala Corporation (AC) Industrial’s automotive arm, AC Motors. It is one of the largest automotive distributors in the country, which includes global mobility brands such as Honda, Isuzu, Maxus, and Volkswage

Recent rumblings in the automotive industry talk about Chinese brands changing management hands. And from what we've heard, there will be a few. But why do the principals feel the sudden need to come in lock, stock, and barrel to take over the Filipino-run local distributorships? Haven't they done enough to promote the brand? Did the distributors fall short of sales targets? Or have the distributors failed in the perception game despite the uptick in Chinese-made cars' build, tech and quality in

It looks like Suzuki Auto Philippines isn’t done electrifying its lineup. An anonymous source from the Japanese carmaker initmated at the Jan. 16, 2023 launch of the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid that the company is evaluating plans to bring in a mild-hybrid version of the Suzuki XL7. However, it did not mention a launch date or final specifications. The Ertiga and the XL7 are almost identical, with the latter sporting a more off-roader aesthetic. The XL7 gets a massive front grill and generous amounts o

Buying an electrified vehicle is going to be a whole lot easier, at least in Indonesia. Our friends from AutoFun Indonesia reported that the Indonesian government is finalizing a host of financial incentives for people looking to buy a hybrid-electric or fully electric vehicle (EV). As of press time, an estimated 80 million rupiah (₱283,000) discount may be given to full EV buyers, while hybrid owners may get 40 million (₱141,000) rupiah off. However, these will only be offered to models that ar

To say that the 8th edition of the country’s only industry-organized automotive fest, the Philippine International Motor Show is hotly anticipated is an understatement. With various manufacturers already seeding their hero cars on display at PIMS, and with the help of our friends from www.wapcar.my, we summarize what you can expect to see when you pay a visit to the World Trade Center in Pasay City this weekend. Nissan The big-spending Japanese brand isn’t holding back when marketing their wares