Cars
Driven by Greatness
Lexus has announced its partnership with two of Japan’s premier athletes—footballer Wataru Endo and surfer Kanoa Igarashi—marking a new direction in its branding strategy that emphasizes precision, global reach, and Japanese pride.
Endo, captain of the Japanese national football team and midfielder for Liverpool FC, is fresh off a league title in the 2024–2025 Premier League season. For him, the collaboration with Lexus is more than a commercial tie-in. “The first car I drove as a professional was a Lexus,” he shared, noting that driving one in the UK brings him pride as a Japanese athlete abroad.
Igarashi, who made waves as the youngest and first Asian surfer to qualify for the World Surf League Championship Tour in 2016, has remained a constant on the global surfing stage. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist and 2022 ISA World Champion says Lexus complements his drive to explore untamed surf. “For surfers, the car is almost part of your body,” he said. “Lexus helps me chase waves no one’s ever ridden before.”
Both athletes reflect Lexus’ vision of excellence beyond traditional motoring. Endo’s international career—from Yokohama to Germany, Belgium, and now England—mirrors Lexus’ global expansion. Igarashi, based in California, brings an East-meets-West narrative that aligns with the brand’s evolution.
Lexus says the partnership goes beyond endorsements, aiming instead to support individuals whose determination and discipline match its values. In choosing figures who excel on land and in water, the company underscores its commitment to performance, ambition, and global relevance.
Hariphil Asia Resources Inc. will deploy roadside assistance stations across key Luzon routes for the Holy Week rush, offering support to Chevrolet owners during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The company confirmed the rollout of its Chevrolet Road Care Program on April 2, 4, and 5, 2026. Service hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A total of 11 dealerships will take part, with teams positioned along major highways and travel corridors.
The program covers minor repairs, basic adjustments, maintenance checks, and emergency roadside assistance. Chevrolet said the setup allows motorists to address issues early and avoid delays during long drives.
Stations are divided across North Luzon, Metro Manila, and South Luzon. Locations include Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Dagupan, Baguio, Pampanga, Commonwealth, Makati, Alabang, Cainta, Las Piñas, and Camarines Sur. Each site operates on specific dates within the program window.
The assistance is free for Chevrolet owners. The company said the goal is to keep vehicles in safe running condition during peak travel days when highways see heavier traffic.
HARI President and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo said the initiative focuses on customer safety during long-distance trips. She added that the company will provide timely service and support along key routes.
Chevrolet advised owners to stop by any Road Care station before or during their trip to check their vehicles and address any concerns before they worsen.
Ford Philippines has brought back its annual “March Madness” promotion, offering a week of discounts, trade-in support, and service deals for customers across its vehicle lineup and aftersales network. The limited-time campaign runs from March 9 to March 15 at Ford dealerships nationwide.
Ford describes the program as one of its most anticipated retail campaigns of the year. The company says the return of March Madness expands beyond vehicle offers and now includes savings on maintenance services and accessories.
Ryan Lorenzo, Retail Product Marketing and Business Growth Director of Ford Philippines, said the campaign aims to make Ford ownership easier for both new buyers and existing customers. He said the program now includes after-sales offers to improve the ownership experience alongside vehicle promotions.
Customers who reserve a vehicle during the March 9 to 15 promo period can receive discounts of up to P200,000 on select Ranger Sport variants. Ford is also offering a P30,000 trade in subsidy for customers who plan to replace their current vehicle with a new Ford model. An additional P20,000 discount applies to the Everest, Territory Hybrid, and other Ranger variants during the same period.
The promotion also covers service appointments. Customers who schedule a periodic maintenance service during the campaign can receive a 10 percent discount on Ford parts and labor. Genuine Ford accessories are also offered with a 10 percent discount.
Ford added a raffle incentive for service customers. Those who spend at least P10,000 on parts or services during the promo period can join a draw for service vouchers worth up to P10,000 or a Ford dashcam.
Beyond the one week campaign, Ford continues its month long offers across several models. The Ranger Sport 4×2 comes with an all in deal starting at P59,000, while the Ranger XLS is available with a P99,000 all in financing package.
SUV buyers also receive financing options for the Territory Hybrid Titanium X with a P99,000 all in offer. The Everest Trend is available with a P79,000 all in package, while Everest Titanium 4×2 and 4×4 variants carry P99,000 all in financing deals.
Ford also introduced a new service bundle for Everest owners called the 5 Star Care Package. The package includes a five year scheduled service plan, five year warranty, and five year emergency roadside assistance. Ford estimates the benefits represent around P50,000 in savings. Buyers who select the package can receive a P60,000 discount on the Everest Titanium 4×4 or a P45,000 discount depending on variant availability.
The brand’s premium models also receive promotional offers. The Mustang Mach E electric SUV is available with a P500,000 discount or zero percent interest with a 50 percent down payment for 60 months. The Explorer 2.3L Limited EcoBoost carries a P1,000,000 discount or zero percent interest with a 20 percent down payment for 60 months. The Bronco Outer Banks with Sasquatch Package is offered with a P1,370,000 discount or zero percent interest under the same financing terms.
Ford Philippines said the offers run throughout March, with additional dealer specific promotions available during the March Madness week. Financing programs are available through partner banks BPI and EastWest Bank, subject to standard approval and dealership conditions.
Ford Mustang Mach-E tops JD Power EV ownership study in the US
The Ford Mustang Mach‑E has earned the highest owner satisfaction score in the 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study conducted by J.D. Power.
In the latest EVX Ownership Study, the Mustang Mach-E posted a score of 760 out of 1,000. The figure placed it ahead of other battery electric vehicles in the U.S. market, including the Hyundai IONIQ 6, which scored 748, and the Kia EV9, which received 745.
The study gathers feedback from EV owners after their first year of use. It looks at day to day driving experience, range accuracy, charging convenience, cost of ownership, vehicle quality and reliability, and the level of guidance customers receive when transitioning to electric mobility.
Results show that satisfaction is not based on specifications alone. Owners rate their vehicles on how well they fit into daily routines, how simple charging is, and how confident they feel behind the wheel.
Pedro Simoes, President and Managing Director of Ford Philippines, said the recognition reflects how owners experience the vehicle in real conditions. He added that the Mustang Mach-E represents Ford’s effort to deliver an electric vehicle that remains engaging to drive while offering practical usability and strong customer support.
The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s all electric SUV that carries the performance character associated with the Mustang nameplate. It delivers quick acceleration, a spacious cabin layout, and a digital interface designed for everyday use. The model combines performance styling with SUV practicality.
The EVX study also highlights a broader trend. As electric vehicle adoption grows, customer experience plays a bigger role in ownership satisfaction. Ease of charging, clarity of information, and overall reliability now influence purchase decisions as much as power and range figures.
Ford said the ranking supports its global electrification push and reinforces its focus on building EVs that integrate smoothly into modern lifestyles. For markets like the Philippines, where interest in electric mobility continues to rise, such global recognition strengthens the brand’s position in the growing EV segment.
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