Cordillera Cab

BYD deploys first Sealion 5 DM-i taxi fleet

BYD Cars Philippines has rolled out the country’s first Sealion 5 DM-i taxi fleet through the deployment of 20 units to Highland Transport Service Cooperative in Northern Luzon.

The fleet was launched in La Trinidad, Benguet with dealer partner SEAelectric, supporting HTSC’s re-fleeting program for transport services in the Cordillera region.

The Sealion 5 DM-i units will be used for taxi operations across La Trinidad and nearby Cordillera areas, where operators face varied terrain and daily passenger demand. The plug-in hybrid SUV uses BYD’s Super DM-i technology, which is designed to deliver electric-first driving, extended range and lower fuel consumption.

BYD Cars Philippines said the deployment aims to reduce operating costs for drivers while giving passengers a quieter and more comfortable ride. The company also positions the fleet as part of its broader push for cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions suited to local transport operators.

Bob Palanca, managing director of BYD Cars Philippines, said the Sealion 5 DM-i fleet shows how the model can serve operators beyond city use, especially in areas such as Benguet where road and terrain conditions differ from urban routes.

The handover gathered representatives from BYD Cars Philippines, SEAelectric and HTSC. Present during the event were Joel Sevilla, general manager of BYD La Union; Palanca; Pastor Joel Tabingan, vice chairman of HTSC; Marwin Cabading, chairman of HTSC; Glenn Yu, chief executive officer of SEAelectric Philippines and dealer of BYD Baguio; and Francis Yu, chairman of SEAOIL and dealer principal of SEAelectric Philippines.

BYD Cars Philippines is the local distributor of BYD passenger vehicles under ACMobility, the mobility arm of Ayala Corporation. The brand currently operates through 81 authorized dealerships in key locations nationwide, including Quezon Avenue, Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Greenfield Mandaluyong, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, Fairview, Commonwealth, Alabang, Cagayan de Oro and Bacolod.

ACMobility also distributes Kia, operates select dealerships for BYD, Kia and Isuzu, and has entered the luxury electric vehicle segment through DENZA. The company has also expanded its electric vehicle charging network to more than 200 locations nationwide.