GUANGZHOU, China — Grab has entered a strategic partnership with Chinese automaker GAC to roll out up to 20,000 electric vehicles for ride hailing across Southeast Asia, as both companies push for wider EV adoption in daily transport.

The partnership, announced January 8, will see GAC supply three electric models to Grab fleets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. The initial lineup includes the Aion Y, Aion ES, and Aion V, vehicles developed with commercial ride hailing use in mind.

In addition, the agreement centers on improving the day to day experience of Grab driver partners. Grab said its driver app will be integrated directly into GAC’s in vehicle cockpit system, allowing drivers to view navigation, demand heat maps, and safety alerts on a larger built in display.

This setup removes the need for drivers to switch between phones and dashboards while driving. Grab said the goal is to reduce distraction and eye strain, while helping drivers stay focused on traffic conditions.

GAC vehicles selected for the program feature wide opening doors, generous rear legroom, and cabin layouts designed for frequent passenger entry and exit. These features are aimed at improving comfort for both drivers and riders, especially on longer urban routes and airport trips.

Driver partners will be able to access the EVs through rentals offered by Grab fleet partners or through financing options under Grab’s car ownership programs. Both companies also said they are studying ways to strengthen aftersales support and long term fleet maintenance.

Grab chief product officer Philipp Kandal said the cockpit integration gives drivers access to essential information in a more ergonomic way. He added that the move supports Grab’s wider goal of reducing emissions while keeping driver welfare at the center of its platform upgrades.

The partnership supports GAC’s broader global strategy to export not just vehicles, but a full EV ecosystem that includes software, services, and operations. By working with Grab, GAC gains exposure to millions of users and real world data from Southeast Asia’s varied mobility conditions.

Grab said the regional EV market continues to grow rapidly. Citing data from the International Energy Agency, the company noted that EV sales in Southeast Asia rose sharply in 2024. Grab aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2040 and sees fleet electrification as a key step toward that target.

Across the region, Grab has been testing different approaches to encourage EV use. These include eco friendly ride options for passengers, discounted charging partnerships, lease to own programs, and fully electric taxi fleets in select markets. The company said lessons from these markets will help shape how the new GAC vehicles are deployed.

BJ Mercantile, Inc., the official distributor of THACO commercial vehicles in the Philippines, has turned over the country’s first two THACO sleeper buses to Cagsawa Travel and Tours, Inc. This development starts a new chapter for long-distance bus travel between Metro Manila and the Bicol Region THACO Sleeper Bus Launch (Final).

The units handed over are THACO Mobihome sleeper buses, a new generation of premium coaches designed and built by THACO AUTO at its manufacturing facility in Vietnam. The buses are positioned to offer a more comfortable and private travel experience for passengers on extended provincial routes.

Leilani Lim Tan, vice president of BJ Mercantile, said the partnership aims to raise passenger comfort while addressing the practical needs of transport operators. She noted that sleeper bus technology is becoming a key direction for modern intercity travel.

The THACO Mobihome features a modern exterior design highlighted by a front grille with beveled patterns inspired by a “T” motif, paired with LED projector headlights. The design creates a cohesive look from front to rear while giving the bus a distinct road presence.

The bus is fitted with 20 individual sleeper cabins. Cagsawa Travel and Tours provided specific design inputs for the interiors to enhance passenger comfort and privacy. Each cabin uses premium materials and includes an LCD entertainment screen, personal reading light, and Type-A and Type-C charging ports. The bus also comes with an onboard toilet, while UV ceiling lights and ambient lighting add to the overall cabin atmosphere.

William Rogando, director and operations manager of Cagsawa Travel and Tours, said the acquisition supports the company’s goal to lead through quality service and operational excellence. He added that their visit to THACO’s manufacturing facility reinforced confidence in the product and its long-term value for the industry.

BJ Mercantile continues to expand its commercial vehicle lineup in partnership with THACO AUTO, supported by after-sales service, parts availability, and technical support nationwide. The company has grown from its beginnings in 1974 into a diversified group with operations across multiple industries.

The THACO sleeper buses will soon be deployed on Cagsawa Travel and Tours routes and will provide passengers a new option for overnight and long-distance provincial travel.

HONOR Philippines turned West Bank Drive, Pasig City into a playground of extremes yesterday for tech fans and creators. The brand gathered media, influencers, and phone lovers to put the HONOR X9d 5G through a series of bold challenges that lit up social feeds across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Attendees kicked things off with lunch and a meet-and-greet before the real action started. The main attraction was a hands-on showdown between the HONOR X9d 5G and a Tesla Cybertruck, teasing a future giveaway tied to the phone’s launch.

Social clips from the event showed crowd reactions as hosts hyped up the “Which is tougher?” matchup, tagged with #HONORX9d5G, #AllAngleUltraDefense, and #TheToughestPhone across Instagram reels and Facebook posts.

One highlight that went viral during the Manila-area experience was a durability challenge moment where the new X9d 5G was tossed (safely) to mimic extreme handling. Fans and creators captured slow-motion clips of the device getting scuffed, spun, and dropped, with reactions trending on local tech pages. Crowd-sourced clips showed the phone enduring “drops, spins, and shocks” as part of HONOR’s All-Angle Ultra Defense campaign.

Local celebrities Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto were on stage to kick off the Tesla vs phone challenge, drawing cheers as the audience watched head-to-head strength tests. Many in attendance posted stories debating how rugged the X9d 5G really is compared to automotive steel, a playful theme HONOR leaned into on their socials.

HONOR wants to show that its mid-range 5G phone can survive tough everyday moments and still stay connected. With the official launch scheduled for January 9 and pre-orders already rolling, event-goers walked away with clips and content that blasted HONOR’s durability claim across feeds before the phone even goes on sale.