Cars
Pasay’s Free Ride is Back—Now Smarter
Pasay City is bringing back free shuttle rides, and this time, the service gets a tech boost. Starting August 12, 2025, residents can hop on Toyota Lite Ace community shuttles for another year at no cost, with routes and seats managed through Toyota’s mobility apps. The move aims to cut commute stress, make trips more predictable, and move Pasay closer to its “smart city” goals.
Instead of the usual “ride wherever there’s a vacant seat,” passengers can plan trips and reserve seats via the myTOYOTA Shuttle PH app, while city administrators get real-time vehicle data and driver behavior insights through Toyota Fleet Connected Service. It’s a small fleet of five Toyota Lite Ace units donated in March 2025, but a big step toward cleaner, safer, and more efficient city mobility. Think barangay-to-City Hall errands, school runs, or quick hospital trips made smoother with digital tools.
Free rides cushion households from rising transportation costs, and app-based booking reduces “come what may” commutes. If the system works in Pasay, other local governments could copy the model, especially for first- and last-mile routes where jeepneys or buses aren’t practical. It’s also a test of public trust: will commuters actually use the app? Can the city keep the shuttles on schedule and the data secure?
The program builds on the Toyota Community Shuttle pilot that ran from December 2023 to January 2025, which proved that connected, shared transport can improve access without needing major new infrastructure. The relaunch, led by Pasay City officials with Toyota executives, signals tighter public–private teamwork to modernize mobility at the city level.
Mitsubishi Motors is bringing back the Eclipse name for a new battery electric vehicle in North America, with the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback set to go on sale in late summer or early fall 2026.
The all-new Eclipse Sportback will be sourced from Alliance partner Nissan Motor Co. and will be based on the next-generation Nissan LEAF. Mitsubishi said the model will receive design changes to separate it from its Nissan counterpart, including unique front and rear fascias, distinct lighting signatures, sporty alloy wheels and the brand’s Triple Diamond badge.
The vehicle will be positioned as a sporty electric subcompact SUV, marking another step in Mitsubishi’s electrification program in North America. The company released the first images of the model on June 9, ahead of its market launch later this year.
The Eclipse badge carries weight for Mitsubishi in the region. The nameplate made its North American debut in 1990 and became one of the brand’s most recognizable models. Its return as an electric sportback reflects Mitsubishi’s plan to use familiar names while expanding into new powertrain choices.
Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle work goes back to the 1970s, when it began developing EVs in Japan. The i-MiEV, described by the company as the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle, went on sale in select markets in 2009 before reaching the United States and Canada in late 2011. The Outlander PHEV followed globally in 2012 and arrived in North America in 2018.
The Eclipse Sportback also fits into Mitsubishi Motors North America’s Momentum 2030 plan. The business program focuses on electrification, a renewed and expanded product lineup, modernized retail operations and a stronger dealer network.
Under the plan, Mitsubishi intends to launch at least one new or significantly revised vehicle each year through fiscal year 2030. After the Eclipse Sportback, the company is also preparing an all-new rugged, off-road derivative of the Outlander SUV for early 2027.
More details on the Eclipse Sportback, including technical specifications, pricing and final on-sale timing, will be released later.
Ford Philippines has extended its Employee Pricing Program until the end of June following strong customer response to its earlier run.
The program allows buyers to pay what Ford employees pay when purchasing select Ford vehicles. It covers cash discounts, all-in down payment options and zero-interest financing deals across several nameplates.
The Ford Ranger is available with savings of up to P340,000 or an all-in down payment of P59,000. The Ford Everest comes with savings of up to P180,000 or an all-in down payment of P69,000, with select Everest Titanium+ purchases bundled with the Ford 5-Star Care Package.
Ford is also offering the Mustang Mach-E with savings of up to P600,000 or zero interest at 50 percent down payment for 60 months. The Explorer 2.3L Limited EcoBoost carries P1 million in cash savings or zero interest at 20 percent down payment for 60 months.
For hybrid buyers, the Territory Hybrid Trend now comes with P40,000 cash savings or a P79,000 all-in down payment, while the Territory Hybrid Titanium X offers P50,000 in savings or an P89,000 all-in down payment.
Ford will also hold a Father’s Day Weekend activity in dealerships nationwide from June 18 to 21, with test drives, family activities, prizes and freebies. Its mobile showroom will stop in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental from June 15 to 18.
Toyota Motor Philippines is bringing music, new models, test drives and brand displays to the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show as Ben&Ben performs live at the Toyota booth on 5 June.
The 10th PIMS will run from 4 to 7 June 2026 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Toyota said the nine-piece band, which serves as its Toyota Choice ambassadors, will perform from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second day of the show.
The brand’s booth this year will carry the Toyota Choice campaign, which focuses on giving customers more options based on their lifestyle, needs and daily mobility requirements. Toyota said visitors will be able to see upcoming models, learn more about its ownership programs and join public test drives.
The test drive activity will allow guests to experience Toyota’s fuel-efficient internal combustion engine models, practical hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The brand will also showcase the bZ4X BEV, RAV LTD HEV and Toyota Tamaraw GL Dropside, which appear with Ben&Ben in the campaign visuals.
Ben&Ben said Toyota has been part of the group’s journey since its early years.
“Toyota has been a core part of our story ever since the beginning of our band. Our first band car was a Toyota borrowed from the twins’ family, at pinagkasya namin kaming lahat doon kasama lahat ng mga gamit namin,“ shared Ben&Ben.
“A few years later, nagsimula ang partnership with Toyota at nagkaroon kami ng dalawang van! Nagkasya na kami nang hindi nagsisiksikan. Dumami na rin kasi ang mga gamit namin sa pagtugtog. Nine years of countless shows and travels later, we’re happy to still be choosing Toyota. Sa lahat ng biniyahe namin, at mga ala-alang nakapaloob rito, Toyota ang sakay namin.” added the nine-piece Filipino band.
Toyota said its partnership with Ben&Ben is built around shared values such as trust, connection, versatility and innovation. The company said the band helps make the Toyota Choice campaign more relatable to younger audiences and gives the brand a more human voice.
Aside from the main Toyota display, visitors can also check T-OPT, Toyota’s affordable auto parts brand. Toyota said the display will show parts options backed by the company and designed to support customers after purchase.
The Gazoo Racing booth will also be at the show. Guests can buy GR merchandise and view a modified GR Supra and GR Corolla.
“The Philippine International Motor Show has always been a great platform for Toyota to showcase our latest and future offerings of Toyota. We invite everyone to come to Toyota’s PIMS 2026 booth to see our upcoming models up close, test drive our latest vehicle lineup, and enjoy with their families and friends while watching our Toyota Choice Ambassadors, Ben&Ben, perform their songs,” said TMP First Vice President of Vehicle Sales Operations Elijah Marcial.
“Toyota is dedicated to ensuring our customers’ choice leads to a smooth ownership experience, and one that gives them a dedicated peace of mind. We hope that with Toyota’s PIMS 2026 booth, guests will be able to have the power of choice to choose what is best for their mobility needs.” she adds.
Toyota said the booth will combine live music, vehicle displays, test drives, ownership support and Toyota-backed services for PIMS visitors.
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