Industry News
Ayala Bids Goodbye to Maxus After 7 Years
MANILA | After seven years, Ayala Corporation’s AC Industrials has officially ended its distributorship of Maxus vehicles in the Philippines, closing a chapter that started with the brand’s local launch in 2019. The decision, made jointly with China’s SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, was described as a “strategic step” for both companies to refocus on their core strengths amid shifting market dynamics.
Maxus entered the Philippine market under Ayala with vans like the G10 and V80, later adding the G50 MPV, D60 and D90 SUVs, and the T60 pickup. Some models have since evolved under SAIC’s other brand, MG, such as the G50 morphing into the G50 Plus and the upcoming re-entry of the D90. The T90 pickup is also set for a local debut as the TRQ.
For existing Maxus owners, it’s not the end of the road. Aftersales support will continue, with service bookings available via maxus.ph, and contact channels kept open for customer concerns.
Dana Uson, Head of Strategy at AC Industrials Mobility Group, said the company is proud to have contributed to Maxus’ local growth and reaffirmed its commitment to “innovative and sustainable mobility solutions” in the country. Meanwhile, SAIC’s Frank Wu thanked AC Industrials for laying a “strong foundation” for the brand in the Philippines.
Industry watchers weren’t entirely surprised. SAIC took direct control of MG’s Philippine operations in 2023, hinting that Maxus could eventually follow a similar path. For now, AC Industrials will focus on its other motoring brands, BYD, Kia, and Volkswagen, while SAIC continues to grow MG and possibly, one day, revive Maxus locally.
The announcement is rare in the auto industry, where most distributor shake-ups happen quietly, noticed only through shuttered dealerships and disappearing ads. This time, both parties went public—perhaps signaling a more open and competitive landscape ahead.
Toyota Motor Asia has named seven Global Team Toyota Athletes from six Southeast Asian countries as it builds its roster for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.
The refreshed line-up includes Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and Paralympic swimmer Ernie Gawilan, who continue to represent the Philippines after joining the program in 2024. They are joined by returning athletes from Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, along with two new para-athletes from Indonesia and Malaysia.
New additions are Indonesian para cyclist Muhammad Fadli Imamuddin and Malaysian para-athletics sprinter Muhammad Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi. Fadli began as a professional motorcycle racer before a 2015 racing incident led him to para cycling. He returned to competition in 2017 and won gold at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games. Ammar Aiman rose from school competitions to the international level, winning gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games.
The full roster also includes Singapore’s Toh Wei Soong in para swimming, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in badminton and Vietnam’s Lê Văn Công in para powerlifting.
Toyota said each athlete will be paired with a Dual Hero Project, a Toyota-supported community initiative linked to causes important to the athletes. In the Philippines, Gawilan has led coastal cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts, while Yulo has worked with Toyota on the Start Your Impossible Gymnastics Camp for young athletes.
Toyota Motor Asia Vice President Preston Tan said the athletes reflect the company’s Move Your World platform as they compete and work with communities that shaped their journeys.
BSB Junrose Corporation is using the 10th Philippine International Motor Show to put the spotlight on practical aftermarket solutions for Filipino motorists, with products centered on efficiency, safety, reliability and power readiness.
The 58-year-old auto parts solutions company is showcasing brands that include Liqui Moly, Brembo, Sankei 555 and Furukawa Battery, aligning its PIMS 2026 participation with the theme “Forward in Every Drive.”
BSB Junrose Corporation President Ian Bangayan said the company is focused on supporting the needs of current vehicles while preparing for future mobility requirements.
For efficiency, BSB Junrose is highlighting Liqui Moly low-friction motor oils, additives, cleaners and conditioners. The company said these products help improve fuel economy, throttle response and overall engine performance, especially as motorists become more cost-conscious amid fuel price concerns.
For safety, the company is presenting Brembo brake pads and discs, which it said are designed to deliver quick, smooth and dependable braking performance across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles.
BSB Junrose is also promoting Sankei 555 steering and suspension parts from Japan, including rack and pinion steering components, front suspension and steering linkage parts, and related joints. The company said these products are suited for the country’s road conditions.
For power readiness, BSB Junrose is showcasing Furukawa Battery, also known as FB Battery. The Japanese brand offers auxiliary batteries designed for modern vehicles with higher electrical loads, including security, infotainment and start-stop systems.
Bangayan said the batteries are engineered to handle local conditions such as hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, fast discharge rates and voltage drops during engine restarts.
Toyota Motor Philippines is bringing music, new models, test drives and brand displays to the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show as Ben&Ben performs live at the Toyota booth on 5 June.
The 10th PIMS will run from 4 to 7 June 2026 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Toyota said the nine-piece band, which serves as its Toyota Choice ambassadors, will perform from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second day of the show.
The brand’s booth this year will carry the Toyota Choice campaign, which focuses on giving customers more options based on their lifestyle, needs and daily mobility requirements. Toyota said visitors will be able to see upcoming models, learn more about its ownership programs and join public test drives.
The test drive activity will allow guests to experience Toyota’s fuel-efficient internal combustion engine models, practical hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The brand will also showcase the bZ4X BEV, RAV LTD HEV and Toyota Tamaraw GL Dropside, which appear with Ben&Ben in the campaign visuals.
Ben&Ben said Toyota has been part of the group’s journey since its early years.
“Toyota has been a core part of our story ever since the beginning of our band. Our first band car was a Toyota borrowed from the twins’ family, at pinagkasya namin kaming lahat doon kasama lahat ng mga gamit namin,“ shared Ben&Ben.
“A few years later, nagsimula ang partnership with Toyota at nagkaroon kami ng dalawang van! Nagkasya na kami nang hindi nagsisiksikan. Dumami na rin kasi ang mga gamit namin sa pagtugtog. Nine years of countless shows and travels later, we’re happy to still be choosing Toyota. Sa lahat ng biniyahe namin, at mga ala-alang nakapaloob rito, Toyota ang sakay namin.” added the nine-piece Filipino band.
Toyota said its partnership with Ben&Ben is built around shared values such as trust, connection, versatility and innovation. The company said the band helps make the Toyota Choice campaign more relatable to younger audiences and gives the brand a more human voice.
Aside from the main Toyota display, visitors can also check T-OPT, Toyota’s affordable auto parts brand. Toyota said the display will show parts options backed by the company and designed to support customers after purchase.
The Gazoo Racing booth will also be at the show. Guests can buy GR merchandise and view a modified GR Supra and GR Corolla.
“The Philippine International Motor Show has always been a great platform for Toyota to showcase our latest and future offerings of Toyota. We invite everyone to come to Toyota’s PIMS 2026 booth to see our upcoming models up close, test drive our latest vehicle lineup, and enjoy with their families and friends while watching our Toyota Choice Ambassadors, Ben&Ben, perform their songs,” said TMP First Vice President of Vehicle Sales Operations Elijah Marcial.
“Toyota is dedicated to ensuring our customers’ choice leads to a smooth ownership experience, and one that gives them a dedicated peace of mind. We hope that with Toyota’s PIMS 2026 booth, guests will be able to have the power of choice to choose what is best for their mobility needs.” she adds.
Toyota said the booth will combine live music, vehicle displays, test drives, ownership support and Toyota-backed services for PIMS visitors.
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