EV
First move
VinFast VF 5 gives first-time buyers a car that can also earn
For many Filipinos, buying a first car is no longer only about reaching a personal milestone. It can also become the starting point for a small transport business or an additional source of income.
The VinFast VF 5 makes a case for both roles by combining compact dimensions, an electric powertrain and enough space for everyday family use. Its size helps drivers navigate crowded streets and tight parking areas, while the raised SUV seating position provides a clearer view of surrounding traffic.
The cabin accommodates five passengers and can handle regular commutes, grocery trips and weekend drives. A digital cockpit and practical convenience features also give first-time owners the equipment expected from a modern vehicle.
Those same qualities allow the VF 5 to serve beyond personal transportation. Owners may use it for ride-hailing, shuttle services, tourism transport or other mobility-based work as more Filipinos turn to flexible income opportunities.
Around 9.9 million Filipinos participate in some form of gig work, according to data cited in the 2025 Ipsos “Gig Life PH” study. About 61 percent do it part-time to supplement earnings from a regular job or an existing business.
The VF 5’s electric powertrain can help operators reduce spending on fuel and routine maintenance compared with a conventional gasoline vehicle. It offers a driving range of up to 326 kilometers under the NEDC standard, while DC fast charging can bring the battery from 10 to 70 percent in about 33 minutes.
Its ability to handle commercial use is already being tested at scale in Vietnam, where the model serves as the primary vehicle of Green GSM, an all-electric ride-hailing service.
Electric vehicle adoption is also gaining ground in the Philippines. EV registrations reached 29,715 units during the first seven months of 2025, exceeding the 24,000 units recorded for the whole of 2024, based on Land Transportation Office figures cited by VinFast.
The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act has helped support that growth. Zero-tariff rates on EVs and their components have been extended through 2028, giving individual buyers and fleet operators another reason to consider switching to electric mobility.
VinFast is also supporting VF 5 ownership through battery subscription options, a resale value guarantee and free charging on the V-Green network until March 31, 2029. Its local EV ecosystem includes vehicles, charging stations, dealerships and aftersales services.
For a first-time buyer, the decision often comes down to choosing between a vehicle for personal needs and one that can support future income. The VF 5 offers a way to cover both, serving as a daily car when needed and a working asset when an opportunity comes along.
XPENG will formally enter the Philippine market in September through a public launch event that will also introduce its first two local models, the X9 and L03.
The Chinese electric vehicle company said the event will give Filipino consumers their first close look at the brand and its plans for intelligent mobility. Details on the venue, activities and registration will be released through XPENG Philippines’ social media pages.
XPENG will operate through XPENG Philippines, a direct subsidiary that will handle local sales, marketing, distribution and retail operations. The company said the arrangement supports its long-term plans in the country.
The XPENG X9 will lead the initial lineup. The seven-seat electric vehicle is positioned as the brand’s flagship model, with a premium cabin, technology features and space aimed at families, business leaders and professionals.
It will be joined by the XPENG L03, an SUV coupe that combines contemporary styling with the company’s software-led vehicle systems and in-car technology.
Local specifications, variants, pricing and availability for both models will be disclosed at the September launch.
Founded in Guangzhou in 2014, XPENG develops electric vehicles along with its own advanced driver-assistance system, in-car operating system, powertrain and electrical architecture. It has expanded into more than 60 countries and regions, with over 380 overseas stores across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America.
The Philippines will become part of that wider expansion as more EV brands look to establish a local presence. For now, XPENG’s September event will provide the first clear view of the vehicles and business structure it plans to bring to Filipino buyers.
VinFast Marikina has expanded into a full-service dealership center, giving electric vehicle owners in Marikina and nearby areas access to sales, maintenance, repairs, spare parts and charging facilities in one location.
The 500-square-meter site at 8 Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue in Sto. Niño opened in May through VinFast’s partnership with Xentro Motors OPC. It has now been upgraded into a 1S Plus facility, a designation that covers sales, service and spare parts support.
The showroom carries VinFast’s battery-electric vehicle lineup, while its service section has three working bays, including one with a vehicle lifter. It also has tools intended for the brand’s EV models, a parts warehouse and charging equipment for customers.
VinFast said the facility can handle preventive maintenance, general repairs, detailing, body repairs, insurance claims and renewals. Owners can also source maintenance components, mechanical and suspension parts, body panels, coolants and brake fluids from its inventory.
Two wall chargers are installed inside the dealership, while six charging stations are available outside. The site gives VinFast owners in Marikina and Eastern Metro Manila another place to recharge as well as have their vehicles checked or repaired.
VinFast Philippines CEO Rhomel Franco said the upgraded facility is intended to make ownership support more accessible for customers in the eastern part of Metro Manila.
“VinFast Marikina reflects our commitment to making electric mobility more accessible while giving every VinFast owner the confidence that reliable support is always nearby,” Franco said.
Xentro Motors OPC CEO Noel Ignacio said the dealership responds to demand for a more complete EV service option in the area. Xentro Motors is supported by XRC Mall Developer Inc. and operates within a wider network in North and South Luzon.
The Marikina facility is part of VinFast’s growing local network, which now has 36 locations nationwide. The company said more openings are planned in Fairview, Cagayan de Oro, Pasay, Batangas City and Kawit, Cavite.
VinFast is also offering ownership programs such as battery subscription, a resale value guarantee and free charging through the V-Green network until 31 March 2029.
The showroom is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Its service center operates Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For years, the midsize SUV has been the usual family-car choice in the Philippines. It offers seven seats, a taller driving position and the flexibility to handle school runs, weekend trips and long drives.
GAC Philippines believes the MPV deserves another look.
Its expanded lineup now covers three approaches to family transport: the gasoline-powered GN6, the E8 HEV hybrid and the GN8 PHEV Executive plug-in hybrid. Each has a different price point and powertrain, but all focus on passenger comfort, cabin flexibility and the practical demands of carrying people every day.
The GN6 serves as the entry point at an introductory price of P1.198 million for reservations made until 30 September. It uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and has a third row that folds flat into the floor, opening up to 1,100 liters of cargo space. A 360-degree HD camera and advanced driver-assistance systems also help drivers handle tighter roads and parking areas.
For families ready for electrification without relying on charging, the E8 HEV is offered in GL and GX variants. Introductory prices are P1.778 million and P1.918 million, respectively. Its 2.0-liter hybrid system gives it a claimed range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a full tank.
The E8 HEV also shows where MPVs can have an advantage over many SUVs. It has a low step-in height, spacious three-row seating and, on the GX, power-sliding doors that make loading children or assisting older passengers easier. Its Magic Storage seating system has 18 configurations, including a Tea Break Mode that turns the rear area into an outdoor lounge setup.
At the top of the range is the GN8 PHEV Executive, priced at P3.338 million during the introductory period. It pairs a 2.0-liter turbo plug-in hybrid system with a claimed combined range of up to 1,032 kilometers.
Its second-row captain’s seats have power leg rests, ventilation and massage functions. The GN8 also uses Zero Breeze Air Conditioning, which distributes cool air through more than 1,600 micro-vents, and it connects with the GAC app.
GAC said it has delivered more than 880,000 MPVs globally since building its presence in China’s premium people-mover segment in the 2010s. That experience is evident in the lineup’s focus on access, seating comfort and a cabin that can change from passenger space to cargo room as needed.
The company supports its local customers through 30 dealerships, a local parts warehouse and two years of free roadside assistance. The GN6 comes with a five-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty, while the E8 HEV and GN8 PHEV Executive have the same basic coverage plus an eight-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty for their power battery, motor and motor control unit.
