EV
Fare Isn’t The Finish
Davao City’s ride-hailing conversation is moving beyond fare.
Price still matters when passengers open an app. Availability and convenience still influence the first tap. But among many Davaoeños, the ride that gets remembered is rarely the cheapest one. It is often the one that feels calm, clean and considerate.
That shift has placed hospitality at the center of the commuting experience in the city.
Passengers heading to Francisco Bangoy International Airport, going home after work in Bajada, passing through Kadayawan traffic along Roxas, or meeting friends near Roxas Night Market often describe the same thing in different ways. The ride matters when it makes the trip easier, not just cheaper.
Some remember a driver who waited while a passenger rushed back inside the house for a forgotten passport before an airport trip. Others recall arriving home in Toril or Buhangin during a downpour without having to walk through the rain. There are also passengers who remember help with groceries, a clean cabin after a long day, or a driver who made the trip feel less tiring.
These details are small, but they shape how passengers judge the service.
That has become more visible since Green GSM entered Davao City. Many first-time passengers tried the service out of curiosity because it was their first ride in an electric taxi. The vehicle caught attention first. The experience decided whether they would book again.
Passengers noticed the quieter cabin while waiting at busy areas such as Matina Crossing and Buhangin. Some pointed out the absence of the fuel smell often associated with conventional traffic. Others mentioned the cleanliness of the units and the professional manner of the drivers.
The technology helped introduce the service, but the hospitality gave the ride its value.
In daily use, sustainability does not always sound like a technical idea. It can feel like a quieter trip, cleaner air inside the cabin, and a more comfortable ride through familiar city routes. It can also show up in how passengers are treated from pickup to drop-off.
Davao’s reputation for warmth is now being reflected on the road. For ride-hailing users, a good trip is no longer measured by fare alone. It is also measured by how respected, safe and at ease they feel when they arrive.
As the city continues to grow, more passengers may start to expect that kind of service from every ride.
Nissan Philippines will launch the all-new Kicks e-POWER on August 28 at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center in Makati City.
The electrified crossover will headline a three-day public event where visitors can inspect the vehicle and take it for a test drive. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The launch follows the Kicks e-POWER’s public preview at the Philippine International Motor Show. Nissan also opened reservations for the new model last month.
The latest Kicks receives a redesigned exterior, new cabin technology and updates to its electrified powertrain. Nissan has yet to release the complete Philippine specifications, variant lineup and prices. These are expected to be announced during the launch.
Its e-POWER system uses a gasoline engine to generate electricity for the battery. An electric motor drives the wheels, which gives the Kicks acceleration and response similar to a battery electric vehicle without the need for external charging.
“At Nissan, our current focus is on expanding our powertrain lineup to provide options that fit the different lifestyles of our customers,” Nissan Philippines President Yoshinori Kanazawa said.
“Following its public debut at the Philippine International Motor Show, we are excited to give even more customers the opportunity to experience it up close and discover its features, technology and electrified driving experience for themselves.”
The new Kicks will appear as part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility Tour. The event will also feature the Patrol, Terra, Navara and X-Trail e-POWER.
Visitors may test-drive the participating models, including the recently introduced X-Trail e-POWER. Nissan will also offer event-exclusive deals, although details will be announced at the venue.
The Kicks e-POWER entered the Philippine market in 2022 and became one of Nissan’s main electrified models in the country. Unlike a conventional hybrid, its gasoline engine does not directly power the wheels.
Prices and final specifications for the new model will be among the main details to watch when Nissan formally unveils it on August 28.
Mazda Philippines has launched the all-new 2027 Mazda CX-5, with the third-generation compact SUV entering the market as a hybrid for the first time.
The CX-5 is initially available in a single 2.5L AWD HEV Premium Plus variant priced at P2.495 million. A front-wheel-drive hybrid version will follow next year.
Its new 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv-G engine works with Mazda’s hybrid system to produce 181 PS and 242 Nm of torque. Power goes through a recalibrated six-speed automatic transmission and the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system.
Mazda also revised the suspension with softer springs, retuned dampers and adjusted anti-roll bars. The steering and pedal response were recalibrated to give the driver lighter control and more predictable feedback.
The new CX-5 is 115 mm longer, 15 mm wider and 30 mm taller than the previous model. Its wheelbase has grown by 115 mm to 2,815 mm, which gives rear passengers an additional 64 mm of knee room and 29 mm of headroom.
Rear door openings are also 70 mm wider. Mazda extended the cargo floor by about 45 mm so larger pieces of luggage can be stored upright.
The exterior retains the CX-5’s familiar shape but adopts a higher nose, slim lighting units and a revised version of Mazda’s Signature Wing. Black metallic 19-inch wheels, gloss-black lower cladding, linear LED taillights and a hands-free power tailgate come as standard.
Buyers can choose from six colors, including the new Navy Blue Mica. The other choices are Soul Red Crystal, Rhodium White, Machine Gray, Jet Black and Aero Gray.
The cabin features Sports Tan Nappa leather seats, Japanese Sen wood trim, a panoramic sunroof and seven-color ambient lighting. Both front seats are powered and ventilated, while the driver’s seat has two memory settings.
A new 15.6-inch touchscreen controls the infotainment and several vehicle functions. It is paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a windshield-projected head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Safety equipment includes six airbags, a 360-degree camera and Mazda’s i-Activsense driver assistance package. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and front and rear automatic braking are included.
Mazda Philippines President and CEO Steven Tan said the larger cabin, updated technology and revised ride were designed to make the CX-5 more practical without losing the driving character associated with the model.
The P2.495-million price includes a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and a complimentary five-year service plan.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. has returned to the plug-in hybrid segment with the launch of the all-new Outlander PHEV, its new flagship SUV.
The sole GT AWD PHEV variant carries a suggested retail price of P2.848 million. An introductory price of P2.749 million applies to reservations and vehicle releases made until 30 September 2026.
Its powertrain combines a 2.4-liter MIVEC gasoline engine with electric motors at the front and rear. The system produces 306 PS and 450 Nm of torque.
A 22.7-kWh battery gives the Outlander PHEV a claimed electric range of up to 100 kilometers. The gasoline engine and 53-liter fuel tank extend its combined driving range to almost 1,000 kilometers.
Owners can recharge through an AC Type 2 connection. The SUV can also continue operating as a hybrid when a charging station is not available.
Four EV control settings let the driver manage the powertrain. Normal mode balances engine and electric operation, while Save holds the current battery charge. Charge uses the gasoline engine to replenish the battery, and EV Priority favors electric power.
Its twin-motor layout works with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system. S-AWC coordinates the four-wheel-drive system, Active Yaw Control, anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control.
Seven drive modes are available. Normal, Eco and Power adjust the vehicle’s response for regular driving, while Tarmac, Gravel, Snow and Mud tune power delivery and traction for different surfaces.
The exterior carries Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield front design, full LED lighting and 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels. The five-seat cabin gets light gray leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation.
A 12.3-inch infotainment display supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other equipment includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, head-up display, smart rearview mirror, wireless phone charger, triple-zone climate control and an eight-speaker Yamaha premium sound system.
Safety equipment includes seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and driver attention alert.
The Outlander PHEV is now available through Mitsubishi dealerships nationwide in White Diamond, Red Diamond and Black Diamond.
