AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup: A new Chinese brand and a slew of hot rides!

And just like that, it’s already March!

Thankfully (or maybe not thankfully), we still have those cool, crisp mornings with the searing-hot sun in between. In just a few months, the skies will open and the rain will pour.

But what’s not cold and wet are the five hottest stories from February 20 to March 3, 2023. These are the ones that you enjoyed the most for this Sunday’s AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup.

Je-what?!

Another Chinese brand is coming to the Philippines – this time a subsidiary of the Chery Holding Group.

AutoFun Philippines content head Mikko David bagged an exclusive with the two young men at the helm of Jetour Philippines, which is expected to debut at the Manila International Auto Show on April 2023.

Aside from possibly offering a variety of crossovers, Jetour plans to bring in electric vehicles (EV) for those who want to hop on the EV bandwagon. 

A fresh brand with fresh perspectives. How will Jetour fare?

Wigwig vs. Mirmir

We love a good showdown here at AutoFun Philippines.

And Writer Joey Deriquito has a brewing fight on his hands – the stalwart Mitsubishi Mirage versus the upcoming 2023 Toyota Wigo.

Both are available with 1.2-liter inline-3 engines and continuously variable transmissions. But will the brand-spanking-new Wigo give the dear, old Mirage a good spanking?

And better still, when on Earth will we get the next-generation Toyota Wigo?

A big KYMCO cometh

When AutoFun Philippines motorcycle editor Gilbert Chao shakes the grapevine, he always gets the juiciest fruits.

We have word that the KYMCO AK 550 Premium is coming to the Philippines, possibly sometime March or April 2023. Aside from getting more plush features than the regular, this big scooter also gets a really clever safety feature.

Let’s see what else KYMCO Philippines has in store this year.

Honda’s little Raize fighter

The Toyota Raize has been selling like hotcakes by combining diminutive dimensions with a tall cabin and high ground clearance.

Honda Cars Philippines doesn’t have anything in its arsenal yet to take on the Raize, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese carmaker is totally empty-handed.

The sharp-looking Honda WR-V is slated to launch in Thailand on March 10, 2023. We’ve faced off the WR-V and the Raize before and found that the Honda edges far ahead in certain places.

But will we ever get this petite Honda crossover?

Super-sharp Hyundai Accent

Speaking of cars that we still don’t have – it’s time to talk about the 2023 Hyundai Verna.

You may know this Korean subcompact sedan better as the Hyundai Accent, which has been absent from the Hyundai Motor Philippines lineup since the company’s reorganization last year.

Nonetheless, the all-new Verna has been spotted out on the road in what appears to be South Korea, sporting Hyundai’s snazzy corporate face.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record – will we get a new Accent in the Philippines soon?

AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup runs every Sunday. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on TikTok and Instagram!

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