Cars
Sealion on a Mission
BYD Launches Sealion 5 DM-i SUV for Practical, Affordable Electric Driving in PH
BYD Philippines, under ACMobility, has launched the new Sealion 5 DM-i—a compact electrified SUV built for Filipinos who want to switch to electric without worrying about range, cost, or daily use.
The Sealion 5 joins BYD’s growing list of electrified cars in the country, which already includes the Sealion 6, Seal 5 sedan, and Shark 6 SUV. But this time, the spotlight is on first-time EV owners. With a plug-in hybrid system and smart features, the Sealion 5 promises an easy transition into electrified driving.
Powered by BYD’s Super DM-i tech, the Sealion 5 combines electric power with a fuel engine, producing 197 PS and 300 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. The car comes with Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes to match different driving needs.
On paper, it can travel over 1,000 kilometers with a full tank and full battery. Race car drivers George and Louis Ramirez recently proved this by driving 1,409.7 km around Luzon—reaching as far as Pagudpud—at 25.27 km/l fuel efficiency.
The 12.96 kWh Blade Battery gives up to 71 km of all-electric range. It charges via a regular wall socket in 4.5 hours. It also has a Vehicle-to-Load feature that lets you power devices and appliances straight from the car.
Design-wise, the Sealion 5 looks clean and modern with full LED lights, 18-inch wheels, and roof rails. It’s 4,738 mm long and over 1.8 meters wide, offering good space without feeling bulky. Heated mirrors and puddle lamps add convenience.
Inside, it features soft leather seats, dual-zone aircon, and a rotating 10.1-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also an in-car app store and even Stingray Karaoke. It comes with an NFC key card and a smartphone app to control features remotely.
For safety, it has six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, a rear camera with sensors, and ISOFIX mounts for child seats.
The Sealion 5 DM-i is priced at ₱1,248,000, with a promo cash price of ₱1,198,000. Early buyers can also avail of an ₱88,000 down payment offer. BYD claims up to 40% savings on fuel and maintenance, with only one preventive service needed yearly.
It comes with an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty on the Blade Battery, as well as the electric motor and control system.
Available colors include Arctic White, Harbour Grey, Cosmos Black, and Deep Sea Blue, paired with a beige-brown interior.
“The Sealion 5 DM-i is yet another proof of how easy and convenient it is to switch to electrified mobility with BYD,” said Adam Hu, BYD Philippines Country Head.
More details are available at www.bydcarsphilippines.com.
VinFast’s smallest electric SUV is getting a new public service role in Southeast Asia.
The VinFast VF 3, first positioned as a compact EV for school runs, grocery trips and daily commutes, is now being used by police agencies in the Philippines and Indonesia. The deployments add another use case for the mini electric SUV as local governments and enforcement units look at electric mobility for patrol and support operations.
In the Philippines, the Municipality of Noveleta in Cavite has deployed VF 3 units as electric police patrol vehicles. The move forms part of the town’s push for sustainable governance, environmental responsibility and updated public safety operations.
Noveleta is also cited as the first municipality in CALABARZON to adopt EV mobility goals. Its initial VF 3 patrol units were supplied through VinFast Marikina and Xentro, with more units expected later.
The vehicles will support local patrol work while helping cut fuel use and operating costs. For a municipal fleet, the shift shows how EV adoption is moving beyond private buyers and into government service.
In Indonesia, the VF 3 has been assigned to a more specialized task. The National Traffic Police Corps introduced its Precision Drone Patrol ETLE program, which uses drones to monitor traffic and spot violations. A modified VF 3 was chosen as a mobile transport unit for drone equipment.
The rear section of the vehicle was adapted for storage, allowing officers to carry and deploy traffic-monitoring drones from different locations. Its small size also helps officers move through congested streets and operate in areas where larger vehicles may have difficulty.
The VF 3 measures 3,190 mm long, 1,679 mm wide and 1,652 mm high. It has 16-inch wheels, 175 mm of ground clearance and a driving range of up to 215 kilometers on a full charge. Using DC fast charging, its battery can go from 10 percent to 70 percent in around 36 minutes.
VinFast said these traits make the VF 3 useful not only for city drivers, but also for fleets that need low operating costs, easy maneuverability and practical daily use.
The model has also become a strong seller in Vietnam. VinFast delivered 4,770 VF 3 units in May 2026, raising its total VF 3 deliveries to 20,231 units for the first five months of the year.
For the Philippines, the VF 3 is being pitched as an accessible EV with a 7-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty, a 10-year battery warranty, support from VinFast’s service network and access to the V-Green charging program.
From private errands to patrol duty and drone support, the VF 3 is showing how a small EV can take on bigger work.
Mercedes-Benz is marking 140 years of automotive innovation by tracing its history from the Benz Patent-Motorwagen to its current push into electric and hybrid luxury vehicles.
The brand’s story began in 1886, when the Benz Patent-Motorwagen became widely recognized as the world’s first automobile. That milestone helped define the early shape of personal mobility and remains central to the company’s identity today.
Mercedes-Benz continues to position itself in the Philippines as a premium brand built on heritage, safety, comfort and technology. Its current lineup covers sedans, SUVs, performance models, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles aimed at executives, families and buyers looking for luxury mobility.
Among its key nameplates are the S-Class, G-Class and Mercedes-AMG SL. The S-Class remains the brand’s flagship sedan, associated with comfort, advanced safety and cabin technology. The G-Class keeps its image as a luxury off-roader, while the AMG SL carries the brand’s open-top performance heritage.
The brand also offers models aimed at daily executive and family use. These include the C-Class and E-Class sedans, along with SUVs such as the GLC, GLE and V-Class. Mercedes-Benz also offers plug-in hybrid variants of the GLC and GLE, reflecting its shift toward lower-emission luxury vehicles.
Its electric lineup in the Philippines includes the EQS Sedan and SUV, EQE Sedan and SUV, and EQB. These models form part of the brand’s move into electric mobility while keeping its focus on comfort, design and premium features.
Mercedes-Benz also continues to emphasize driver assistance and safety technology. Available systems include intelligent cruise control, lane-keeping support, automated parking assistance, driver monitoring and safety alerts.
As the industry moves toward electrification, digital features and sustainable engineering, Mercedes-Benz is using its long history to support its next phase. For the brand, the message is clear: its past helped build the automobile, but its future will depend on how well it adapts luxury mobility to a changing market.
Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. has expanded Chevrolet’s Northern Luzon network with the opening of Chevrolet Baguio as a full 3S-certified dealership under Laus Auto Group.
The dealership now provides Sales, Service and Spare Parts operations for customers in Baguio, Benguet and nearby provinces. It is located at 125 Marcos Highway, Barangay Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet.
Chevrolet Baguio features a showroom that can accommodate up to four display vehicles. Its aftersales facility has three service bays for routine maintenance and repair work. The dealership operates from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The inauguration was led by Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, vice chairman, president and chief executive officer of HARI. She was joined by Laus Group of Companies president Paul Tristan A. Laus, vice president and executive director Carisa A. Laus, executive vice president and group chief operating officer Alfie M. Adriano, Laus Auto Group managing director Froilan G. Dytiangquin, and Chevrolet Laus Auto Group operations group head Shiela D. Salita.
Also present were Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Atty. George S. Fukai III as representative of the mayor of Tuba, Benguet, Land Transportation Office Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao, LTO representatives, and General Motors Southeast Asia sales operations general manager Anatolio Enderez.
Perez-Agudo said the opening strengthens Chevrolet’s presence in Northern Luzon while supporting a more accessible and customer-focused ownership experience in the region.
“This expansion reflects our continued commitment to operational excellence, service reliability, and building long-term customer confidence through a stronger and more responsive dealership network,” Perez-Agudo said.
Customers may visit Chevrolet Baguio to view the latest Chevrolet lineup, book service appointments, and access genuine Chevrolet parts and aftersales support.
Ridenetwork
June 22, 2025 at 6:15 am
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