EV
Chasing the Spotlight Worldwide
OMODA & JAECOO closed 2025 with momentum that few young auto brands can match. In less than three years, the brand expanded into 64 markets across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with cumulative global sales passing 800,000 units. Growth came even as several global markets slowed, placing OMODA and JAECOO among the fastest-growing automotive brands worldwide.
Europe stood out as a key battleground. The brand posted strong market share gains in countries such as the UK and Italy, while electrified models powered much of the growth. Hybrid and electric vehicles equipped with the SHS Super Hybrid System became a major driver, supporting the company’s push in the new energy segment.
Recognition followed sales. Across multiple regions, OMODA and JAECOO picked up awards that covered brand strength, product performance, and powertrain technology. In the UK, JAECOO was named Carwow Brand of the Year 2026, while the JAECOO 7 and OMODA 5 earned model-level honors. In Spain, the SHS Super Hybrid System received Autobild’s Technology of the Year award.
Southeast Asia delivered both trophies and traction. In Thailand, the JAECOO J5 EV and J7 SHS-P won Car of the Year and Best PHEV SUV titles. Malaysia saw the J7 and J8 secure multiple awards, while in Indonesia, the J8 SHS set a Guinness World Record after completing a real-world driving range test of 1,660 kilometers.
Latin America added to the tally. The OMODA C5 and JAECOO 5 were named Most Recommended Vehicle of the Year by Autocosmos Chile, while Brazil recognized the J7 SHS as Mid-size Hybrid of the Year. Taken together, the awards formed a wide-ranging validation across regions, segments, and technologies.
High-profile appearances also boosted global visibility. At IAA Mobility in Germany, OMODA and JAECOO showcased their SHS technology lineup and flagship models, drawing attention for performance, efficiency, range, and safety. The brand followed this with dynamic demonstrations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, strengthening its presence among European performance and premium car audiences.
Outside traditional auto shows, the brand leaned into pop culture and lifestyle partnerships. A global collaboration with Jurassic World linked the vehicles’ rugged positioning with adventure themes from the film franchise. Fashion and entertainment events followed in Spain, Brazil, the UK, Italy, South Africa, and Vietnam, allowing the brand to connect with younger audiences through music festivals, fashion weeks, and major cultural gatherings.
Behind the brand’s expansion sits its parent company, Chery Group, which ranked 233rd on the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list. By mid-2025, Chery had exported more than five million vehicles worldwide, underlining the scale supporting OMODA and JAECOO’s international push.
OMODA continues to position itself as a crossover-focused brand, while JAECOO targets the premium off-road and SUV space. Both tracks feed into the company’s broader goal in electrification, with SHS hybrid and electric systems anchoring future plans. Beyond vehicles, the group has also expanded into intelligent technologies, including a service robot developed with the AiMOGA team that debuted in public service use at the Asian Youth Para Games.
By the end of 2025, OMODA and JAECOO had turned rapid expansion into recognition across markets, shows, and award stages. The brand now moves forward with a larger global footprint and growing credibility in electrified mobility.
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. kicked off 2026 with a familiar name but a very different lineup. The refreshed Honda CR-V has officially landed in the Philippines, unveiled at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, and the big headline is simple. The CR-V is now mostly hybrid.
After its regional debut in Thailand late last year, the new CR-V arrives locally with three variants. Two are now e:HEV hybrids, while only one keeps a pure turbo gasoline setup.
Three Variants, Two Hybrids
The range opens with the V Turbo HuNT CVT. It runs a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine paired with a CVT, sending power to the front wheels. Output stands at 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm.
The big shift happens in the middle. The VX e:HEV e-CVT now goes hybrid. It combines a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle VTEC engine producing 148 PS and 183 Nm with a dual-traction electric motor rated at 184 PS and 335 Nm. Power flows to the front wheels through an e-CVT.
At the top sits the RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT. It uses the same electrified setup as the VX but adds Real-Time AWD, giving the CR-V hybrid traction on all four wheels for the first time in the local lineup.
Same Shape, Sharper Details
Visually, the 2026 CR-V keeps its familiar proportions. Updates are subtle but noticeable. New 18-inch alloy wheels wear wider 235/60 tires, while exterior trim pieces and blacked-out accents freshen the look.
The HuNT styling package, exclusive to the V Turbo variant, adds copper accents on the grille and fog lights, silver highlights on the lower bumper, black wheel arch cladding, and silver running boards for a tougher stance.
Safety and Tech Go Standard
All variants come loaded with Honda Sensing, the brand’s full driver-assist suite. This includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high-beam, and lead car departure notification. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are now standard across the board.
Inside, every CR-V gets a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus Google built-in, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, leather seats, a wireless charging pad, power front seats with driver memory, a power tailgate, and Honda Connect. The head-up display is now available on the VX, no longer limited to the RS.
The RS keeps its premium edge with a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, red contrast stitching with RS logos, and a hands-free power tailgate.
Hybrid Warranty and Colors
Both e:HEV variants come with an 8-year or 160,000-km battery warranty for added peace of mind.
Color options include Canyon River Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl, with a PHP 20,000 surcharge for the white finish.
Introductory Pricing
Honda is offering special launch pricing for early buyers:
- RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT – PHP 2,788,000
- VX e:HEV e-CVT – PHP 2,438,000
- V Turbo HuNT CVT – PHP 2,258,000
Regular prices are set PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 higher depending on the variant.
Volvo Cars Philippines has rolled out a limited time promo on its two plug in hybrid SUVs, giving buyers a rare chance to step into electrified luxury with major savings.
Handled locally by Hariphil Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the offer puts both the XC90 T8 and XC60 T8 Plug in Hybrid under the spotlight, each carrying a ₱500,000 discount from their respective sticker prices. The promo covers Volvo’s top tier electrified models and comes with a DTI Fair Trade Permit, making it a certified deal for buyers looking to move into hybrid ownership.
Leading the lineup is the XC90 T8 Plug in Hybrid, Volvo’s seven seater flagship SUV. With the discount applied, the model drops from its ₱5.45 million suggested retail price. Designed for families and long drives, the XC90 T8 can travel up to 77 kilometers on electric power alone before switching to hybrid mode for longer trips. This setup allows for emissions free city use while keeping fuel efficiency and performance intact on highways.
Alongside it is the XC60 T8 Plug in Hybrid, Volvo’s best selling SUV globally with more than 2.7 million units sold worldwide. Priced at ₱4.55 million before the discount, the five seater SUV offers up to 80 kilometers of electric only driving, making it suitable for daily urban use. Once the battery is depleted, the vehicle automatically shifts to hybrid operation to maintain efficiency without sacrificing responsiveness.
Both models highlight Volvo’s long standing focus on safety, comfort, and Scandinavian design, while giving buyers access to plug in hybrid technology without fully committing to a pure electric vehicle.
Interested customers can visit Volvo Cars Makati to check availability, learn more about the promo, and book a test drive. The offer is available for a limited time only, subject to terms and conditions.
Hongqi Philippines has entered a new partnership with The Bellevue Manila, bringing chauffeur-driven premium vehicles into one of the south’s most established five-star hotels.
The collaboration places Hongqi vehicles at the center of high-end guest experiences, with a focus on weddings, VIP stays, and special occasions. The idea is simple. The luxury does not stop at the hotel doors. It begins the moment guests step into the car.
The partnership was formalized during a contract signing held on January 23. Present at the event were Hongqi Philippines Vice President and General Manager David Zaballero, Sales and Marketing Head Brian Badilla, Bellevue Manila Managing Director John Patrick Chan, and Assistant Director for Group Marketing Justine Delacerna.
As part of the agreement, hotel guests will have access to Hongqi’s flagship models. These include the Hongqi E-HS9, a full-size electric SUV, and the Hongqi HQ9, a premium MPV designed for comfort-focused travel. Both models offer spacious cabins, refined materials, and a calm ride that fits milestone events and formal occasions.
According to EVOxTerra President and TDG Group Co-CEO Rashid Delgado, the partnership reflects Hongqi’s focus on experience-driven luxury, where design and comfort are meant to work seamlessly together.
Beyond transport services, the collaboration will also have a public-facing component. Starting February 2026, Hongqi Philippines will hold a six-month vehicle display at the Grand Ballroom lobby of The Bellevue Manila. This allows hotel guests and visitors to view the vehicles up close in a hospitality setting.
For those looking to experience more of the brand’s lineup, Hongqi vehicles are also available for test drives at showrooms located in Alabang, BGC, Manila Bay, and Quezon City.
The partnership adds another layer to Hongqi Philippines’ push into the premium space, blending automotive luxury with curated hospitality experiences.
