Cars
GAC Gets in the Game
GAC Philippines is expanding its local sports presence through a partnership with Cignal TV and TV5, linking the automotive brand with major basketball and volleyball broadcasts.
The agreement covers the PBA Governors’ Cup, Premier Volleyball League On Tour and Invitational Conference, and UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. Cignal TV and TV5 serve as the official broadcast homes of the competitions.
GAC will appear through broadcast integrations, player features and highlight segments built around key moments from the games. The campaign aims to introduce the brand and its vehicles to millions of sports viewers nationwide.
The company is using the phrase “Go Above Competition” for the campaign, drawing from the initials of GAC. It connects the competitive approach of athletes with the brand’s emphasis on performance and continued improvement.
“Bringing our global sports marketing tradition to the Philippines is an exciting step as we deepen our roots in the country,” GAC International Senior Vice President Steven Wang said.
Wang added that energy, endurance and determination associated with sports reflect the values behind the company’s vehicles and operations.
The partnership will also showcase models suited for different users. The all-electric AION V and AION UT are positioned for efficient everyday travel, while GAC’s MPVs provide additional room for families, teams and sports equipment.
GAC International has backed several sports programs in other markets. Its partnerships include Mexican football club Deportivo Toluca FC, Australia’s Sydney FC and the Global Super League cricket competition in the Caribbean.
The automaker has also supported the Rosa Challenge Tour golf event in Poland, the Bolivia Half Marathon and the official mobility fleet for China’s 15th National Games.
Its tie-up with Cignal TV and TV5 extends that sports marketing program to the Philippines while giving the brand regular exposure during some of the country’s most followed leagues.
Nissan Philippines will launch the all-new Kicks e-POWER on August 28 at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center in Makati City.
The electrified crossover will headline a three-day public event where visitors can inspect the vehicle and take it for a test drive. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The launch follows the Kicks e-POWER’s public preview at the Philippine International Motor Show. Nissan also opened reservations for the new model last month.
The latest Kicks receives a redesigned exterior, new cabin technology and updates to its electrified powertrain. Nissan has yet to release the complete Philippine specifications, variant lineup and prices. These are expected to be announced during the launch.
Its e-POWER system uses a gasoline engine to generate electricity for the battery. An electric motor drives the wheels, which gives the Kicks acceleration and response similar to a battery electric vehicle without the need for external charging.
“At Nissan, our current focus is on expanding our powertrain lineup to provide options that fit the different lifestyles of our customers,” Nissan Philippines President Yoshinori Kanazawa said.
“Following its public debut at the Philippine International Motor Show, we are excited to give even more customers the opportunity to experience it up close and discover its features, technology and electrified driving experience for themselves.”
The new Kicks will appear as part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility Tour. The event will also feature the Patrol, Terra, Navara and X-Trail e-POWER.
Visitors may test-drive the participating models, including the recently introduced X-Trail e-POWER. Nissan will also offer event-exclusive deals, although details will be announced at the venue.
The Kicks e-POWER entered the Philippine market in 2022 and became one of Nissan’s main electrified models in the country. Unlike a conventional hybrid, its gasoline engine does not directly power the wheels.
Prices and final specifications for the new model will be among the main details to watch when Nissan formally unveils it on August 28.
Mazda Philippines has launched the all-new 2027 Mazda CX-5, with the third-generation compact SUV entering the market as a hybrid for the first time.
The CX-5 is initially available in a single 2.5L AWD HEV Premium Plus variant priced at P2.495 million. A front-wheel-drive hybrid version will follow next year.
Its new 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv-G engine works with Mazda’s hybrid system to produce 181 PS and 242 Nm of torque. Power goes through a recalibrated six-speed automatic transmission and the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system.
Mazda also revised the suspension with softer springs, retuned dampers and adjusted anti-roll bars. The steering and pedal response were recalibrated to give the driver lighter control and more predictable feedback.
The new CX-5 is 115 mm longer, 15 mm wider and 30 mm taller than the previous model. Its wheelbase has grown by 115 mm to 2,815 mm, which gives rear passengers an additional 64 mm of knee room and 29 mm of headroom.
Rear door openings are also 70 mm wider. Mazda extended the cargo floor by about 45 mm so larger pieces of luggage can be stored upright.
The exterior retains the CX-5’s familiar shape but adopts a higher nose, slim lighting units and a revised version of Mazda’s Signature Wing. Black metallic 19-inch wheels, gloss-black lower cladding, linear LED taillights and a hands-free power tailgate come as standard.
Buyers can choose from six colors, including the new Navy Blue Mica. The other choices are Soul Red Crystal, Rhodium White, Machine Gray, Jet Black and Aero Gray.
The cabin features Sports Tan Nappa leather seats, Japanese Sen wood trim, a panoramic sunroof and seven-color ambient lighting. Both front seats are powered and ventilated, while the driver’s seat has two memory settings.
A new 15.6-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment and several vehicle functions. It is paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a windshield-projected head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Safety equipment includes six airbags, a 360-degree camera and Mazda’s i-Activsense driver assistance package. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and front and rear automatic braking are included.
Mazda Philippines President and CEO Steven Tan said the larger cabin, updated technology and revised ride were designed to make the CX-5 more practical without losing the driving character associated with the model.
The P2.495-million price includes a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and a complimentary five-year service plan.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. has returned to the plug-in hybrid segment with the launch of the all-new Outlander PHEV, its new flagship SUV.
The sole GT AWD PHEV variant carries a suggested retail price of P2.848 million. An introductory price of P2.749 million applies to reservations and vehicle releases made until 30 September 2026.
Its powertrain combines a 2.4-liter MIVEC gasoline engine with electric motors at the front and rear. The system produces 306 PS and 450 Nm of torque.
A 22.7-kWh battery gives the Outlander PHEV a claimed electric range of up to 100 kilometers. The gasoline engine and 53-liter fuel tank extend its combined driving range to almost 1,000 kilometers.
Owners can recharge through an AC Type 2 connection. The SUV can also continue operating as a hybrid when a charging station is not available.
Four EV control settings let the driver manage the powertrain. Normal mode balances engine and electric operation, while Save holds the current battery charge. Charge uses the gasoline engine to replenish the battery, and EV Priority favors electric power.
Its twin-motor layout works with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system. S-AWC coordinates the four-wheel-drive system, Active Yaw Control, anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control.
Seven drive modes are available. Normal, Eco and Power adjust the vehicle’s response for regular driving, while Tarmac, Gravel, Snow and Mud tune power delivery and traction for different surfaces.
The exterior carries Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield front design, full LED lighting and 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels. The five-seat cabin gets light gray leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation.
A 12.3-inch infotainment display supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other equipment includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, head-up display, smart rearview mirror, wireless phone charger, triple-zone climate control and an eight-speaker Yamaha premium sound system.
Safety equipment includes seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and driver attention alert.
The Outlander PHEV is now available through Mitsubishi dealerships nationwide in White Diamond, Red Diamond and Black Diamond.
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