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Driving Growth Together

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inDrive Regional Director Mark Tolley stands at the inDrive booth during the Philippine Commercial Vehicle Show 2025, with a white inDrive-branded car and promotional signage in the background.

Manila — Global mobility platform inDrive is calling on local fleet operators in the Philippines to partner with ride-hailing companies to boost transport services and give more drivers access to vehicles.

Speaking at the Philippine Commercial Vehicle Show 2025, inDrive Regional Director Mark Tolley said fleet collaborations can help meet strong commuter demand, improve daily travel, and create more livelihood opportunities.

“In many of our APAC and Latin American markets, we see steady demand for reliable transport. Many drivers want to help, but they don’t have cars,” Tolley said. “By teaming up with local fleets, we can provide vehicles, open up job opportunities, and improve commuter services.”

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved over 70,000 vehicle slots for 19 ride-hailing firms. Instead of adding more new cars, inDrive’s strategy is to work with fleets to use underutilized vehicles, reducing the need for more private car ownership or unregulated operators.

inDrive has similar partnerships in Mexico, Nepal, and Peru, each tailored to local needs. In the Philippines, it is encouraging fleet operators to design schemes that benefit both drivers and commuters while supporting sustainable growth.

Tolley stressed that ideal fleet partners should keep rental rates affordable so drivers can earn enough without overworking. Fleets should also explore funding options that don’t pass high interest rates onto drivers.

Fleet partnerships, according to Tolley, also benefit operators. Through inDrive, they can access its tech platform, link with financial partners, and enjoy a 10% commission rate, allowing them to keep more revenue. Bonuses are also available for meeting performance targets and using company branding on vehicles.

For ride-hailing platforms, fleets help bring in more drivers, assist them in daily operations, and improve performance. Branded fleet vehicles also help promote services.

Beyond fleet deals, inDrive is testing a peer-to-peer model in some countries to make pricing fairer and more transparent. Early results show higher driver earnings, fewer cancellations, and better passenger satisfaction.

“Our aim is simple — we want more drivers on the road to meet rising demand, but we want that growth to be sustainable,” Tolley said.

inDrive is inviting local fleets to partner up, give more Filipino drivers the chance to earn, and serve more passengers with reliable transport.

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Industry News

Ayala Bids Goodbye to Maxus After 7 Years

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A striking red Maxus D60 SUV parked on a grassy field under a dramatic sunset sky.

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.

Photo courtesy of Maxus

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.

Photo courtesy of Maxus

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.

Photo courtesy of Maxus

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.

Photo courtesy of Maxus

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.

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Lamborghini Dealer Scandal Shakes U.S. Luxury Car Scene

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Green Lamborghini Urus SE SUV on display with black alloy wheels and orange interior accents.

Lamborghini is in a legal showdown with one of its U.S. dealers, accusing it of selling high-end supercars to unauthorized middlemen — and in some cases, to individuals linked to “drug dealers and pimps.”

At the center of the dispute is Gold Coast Exotic Imports in Chicago, Illinois. The Italian carmaker claims the dealership breached its contract by selling at least 32 vehicles in 2023 to brokers instead of directly to retail buyers or other authorized dealers.

Court filings allege that some buyers had no intention of keeping the cars, flipping them instead for hefty profits. In one example, Lamborghini says a car went to someone previously convicted of fraud tied to laundering money through luxury car sales to criminal networks.

The brand also accuses Gold Coast of demanding off-the-books kickbacks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for access to limited-edition models. Since 2019, Lamborghini claims to have paid the dealership over $4 million in incentive bonuses.

Gold Coast denies the allegations, countering that Lamborghini has withheld funds for showroom upgrades, failed to cover marketing costs, and is trying to push out its president, 81-year-old Joseph Perillo Sr. The dealership has taken its grievances to the Illinois Motor Vehicle Review Board.

Despite the heated exchanges, both sides told U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer they are in talks for an out-of-court settlement. If that fails, a trial could take place in December 2026.

This dispute follows another high-profile scandal involving Ferrari’s German dealer Mertel Italo Cars, accused of fraud and swiftly cut off by the brand. For Italy’s supercar makers, the twin controversies highlight the ongoing challenge of keeping their exclusive cars out of speculative or criminal hands — and protecting their carefully crafted image.

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Suzuki Sends Boats and Big Discounts for Flood-Hit Communities

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Volunteers and rescue teams use Suzuki-powered boats to deliver white relief bags labeled with the Suzuki logo to flood-affected residents in a submerged neighborhood.

Suzuki Philippines has stepped in to help communities hit hard by recent floods caused by Typhoons Dante and Emong, especially in low-lying areas of Laguna. Many neighborhoods near the company’s head office in Calamba were left underwater and cut off from essential supplies.

Through its Marine Department, Suzuki worked with local governments and rescue teams to deliver help where it was needed most. The company deployed an inflatable boat with a 6HP Suzuki outboard motor to Biñan and a poly boat with a 15HP motor to Sta. Rosa. These boats made it possible to reach areas inaccessible to regular vehicles or manual boats, bringing much-needed relief goods to stranded families, particularly in Sikatville where waters reached chest level.

Local leaders and volunteers praised the effort, saying the equipment helped them cover more ground and reach people faster.

Suzuki also launched a Flood Support Program for owners of non-insured Suzuki vehicles damaged by the floods. The program offers a 30% discount on key parts often affected by floodwater—Engine Control Module (ECM), ABS Control Module, Body Control Module (BCM), and SRS Control Unit—helping customers repair their vehicles safely and affordably.

The company said these efforts reflect its belief that mobility is more than transportation—it’s a way to care, connect, and uplift people, especially during disasters.

For more details, customers can visit authorized Suzuki Auto dealerships or check Suzuki Auto Philippines’ official social media channels.

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