Cars
MX-5 Keeps Top Spot as World’s Favorite Convertible
The Mazda MX-5 has once again proven its timeless appeal, holding on to the crown as the world’s best-selling convertible. The two-seater roadster first earned its Guinness World Record back in 2000 and, 25 years later, remains unmatched. Global cumulative sales have topped 1.25 million units since its 1989 debut, all built at Mazda’s Ujina plant in Hiroshima.
In a shrinking market for drop-top sports cars, the MX-5 stands out even more. Data from Jato shows that in 2024 it outsold every other cabriolet worldwide, with 27,669 units delivered. The momentum continues into 2025.
UK and Global Appeal
In Britain, the MX-5 is the best-selling two-seater roadster and ranks second among all convertibles. More than 135,000 units have been sold there since 1990, including nearly 30,000 from the current fourth-generation model. So far in 2025, 859 units have been delivered in the UK, placing it ahead of mainstream rivals and just behind luxury badges like Porsche.
To mark the car’s impact, Mazda UK is displaying its 30th Anniversary MX-5 from the Heritage Fleet at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) headquarters in London until September 24. It’s a nod to the British roadsters of the 1960s that originally inspired Mazda’s open-top icon.
Philippine Market Strength
The Philippines has also become one of the strongest markets for the MX-5 in Asia outside Japan. As of June 2025, 1,563 fourth-generation ND models have been sold locally. Demand is split nearly evenly between the soft-top and retractable fastback variants, with 40 percent of buyers choosing the six-speed manual transmission.
The MX-5 set a new Philippine record in 2023 with 205 units sold, and current figures suggest 2025 could match or exceed that. To celebrate both the model’s popularity and the ND’s 10th anniversary, Mazda Philippines is hosting an exhibit at Power Plant Mall’s South Court until August 31. Limited-edition commemorative merchandise is also on offer for fans.
Still Driver’s Choice
Available as a fabric-roof Roadster or RF Retractable Fastback, today’s MX-5 continues to emphasize lightweight construction and sharp handling. UK Managing Director Jeremy Thomson described it as “one of the most exciting and satisfying cars money can buy,” adding that Mazda’s dedication to constant refinement over 35 years has kept the MX-5 engaging and accessible.
The current lineup offers eight variants split between Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line, and Homura trims, powered by either the 132ps 1.5-liter or the 184ps 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine. All units registered from September 1, 2025, will also carry Mazda’s new six-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Over three decades, the MX-5 has collected countless awards, inspired passionate owner clubs worldwide, and become a fixture in grassroots motorsport. With its enduring mix of affordability, fun, and driver focus, it remains not just the world’s best-selling convertible but one of the most beloved sports cars of all time.
Volvo buyers in the Philippines now have the chance to turn their car purchase into a European adventure. Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Volvo Cars in the country, launched the “Volvo Euro Trip Raffle Promo,” a campaign that gives new owners a shot at a 14-day, all-expenses-paid trip for two across Europe.
The promo, which runs until October 31, 2025, is open to customers who purchase select models: the Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid, the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid, and the fully electric Volvo EX30 in Ultra or Core variants. Each eligible purchase comes with one raffle entry for the grand prize.
The package includes roundtrip airfare, luxury hotel stays, a guided tour itinerary, travel insurance, and full-board meals, ensuring a seamless experience for the winners.
“This promotion is our way of thanking our valued customers,” said HARI Vice Chair, President, and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo. “We believe that owning a Volvo is more than just a purchase; it’s an entry into a world of premium experiences and a lifestyle centered on safety, sustainability, and personal freedom. What better way to reflect our brand’s heritage than with a trip through Europe, where the Volvo story began?”
To qualify, buyers need to fill out a raffle coupon upon vehicle turnover and drop it at the Volvo Makati showroom. The deadline for submission of entries is November 7, 2025.
The grand draw is set for November 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Volvo Makati Sales Admin Office. A Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representative will oversee the process. The winner will be contacted by registered mail, email, and phone, with results also posted on Volvo Cars Philippines’ official social media pages.
Customers may visit the Volvo showroom in Makati for full promo mechanics and vehicle details.
PAPENBURG, GERMANY — BYD’s luxury sub-brand YANGWANG has smashed the global EV speed record with its U9 Track Edition, clocking an official top speed of 472.41 km/h on August 8 at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track.
The run makes the U9 Track Edition the world’s fastest electric vehicle, edging past the previous record also set at the same venue. Behind the wheel was German racing driver Marc Basseng, who last year held the title with an earlier version of the U9.
At the heart of the achievement is YANGWANG’s e4 Platform, the world’s first quad-motor system capable of spinning up to 30,000rpm. Each motor delivers 555kW, for a combined system output of over 3,000PS. With a power-to-weight ratio of 1,217PS per tonne, the U9 Track Edition rivals the world’s most extreme supercars.
The car also debuts the industry’s first mass-produced 1200V ultra-high-voltage platform, paired with a thermal-management system designed for extreme track conditions. Together with the DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, the U9 maintains stability at blistering speeds. The suspension adjusts independently at all four corners to keep the tires planted, reducing pitch, roll, and loss of traction.
Aerodynamics also played a key role. The Track Edition retains the sleek lines of the standard U9, but adds an optional carbon-fiber front splitter designed for ultra-high-speed stability. Tire durability was ensured through a collaboration with Giti Tire, which developed bespoke semi-slick tires for the run. These feature optimized compounds and a special knurling treatment to reduce tire slippage under extreme torque loads.
For Basseng, the feat was as much personal as technical. “Last year, I thought I’d peaked,” he said. “I never expected to break my own record so soon — but here we are, with new technologies that made it possible.”
With this record, BYD’s YANGWANG brand isn’t just chasing numbers. It’s pushing the boundaries of what electric supercars can achieve, blending sustainability with raw performance — and reshaping the global image of EVs in the process.
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) is bringing its vehicles closer to Filipino families and businesses with the launch of the Isuzu Xperience Mobility Tour, a nationwide mall series highlighting its best-selling light commercial vehicles—the D-MAX pickup and mu-X SUV.
The tour opens at SM City Bacolod from August 25 to 31, 2025, before traveling to other major cities nationwide.
Visitors can get behind the wheel and test drive the D-MAX and mu-X while trying out the brand’s latest tech features. These include Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), a 360° Around View Monitor, and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) designed to boost safety and confidence on the road.
To make ownership easier, IPC is offering special promotions during the tour. Through Security Bank and RCBC, customers can drive home the D-MAX LS-A variant with a downpayment as low as ₱35,000 under the D-MAX Power Plus Deals program. Exclusive freebies and other perks will also be available on-site.
“This is the perfect opportunity to see how Isuzu continues to evolve,” said Robert Carlos, IPC Sales Division Head. “Our vehicles remain tough and reliable, but now they also carry modern comfort, safety, and styling that every Filipino family deserves.”
More than just a showcase, IPC says the Isuzu Xperience Mobility Tour is a way of celebrating mobility, innovation, and the trust that Filipino motorists have given the brand through the years.
