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Sealion on a Mission

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A BYD Sealion 5 DM-i in Deep Sea Blue is parked in front of the historic Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, with pink flags waving in the background under a bright blue sky.
A thousand-kilometer adventure, one historic stop at a time. The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i takes on Luzon with style, smarts, and serious range.

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.

Three BYD electrified vehicles, including the Sealion 5 DM-i, drive along a narrow dirt road flanked by lush green rice fields and water paddies under a clear blue sky in rural Philippines.
From sunrise to seedling—BYD’s electrified convoy cruises through the heart of Luzon, proving that 1,000 km is just the beginning.

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.

Two BYD Sealion 5 DM-i units drive out of a mountain rock shed tunnel, surrounded by thick greenery on a winding road in Luzon, Philippines.
Through tunnels and terrain, the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i keeps going—built for long drives, steep climbs, and everything in between.

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.

A rear view of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i navigating through a muddy, narrow rural path with another electrified vehicle closely following behind.
Mud, ruts, or rough patches—no problem. The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i powers through the backroads, proving range isn’t the only thing it’s got going.

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.

Four men in matching navy blue shirts give thumbs-up poses in front of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i, parked outside a BYD dealership with a high-rise condo building in the background.

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.

Interior view of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i showing a minimalist dashboard with a rotating touchscreen, sleek steering wheel with controls, and two-tone leather seats.

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.

Rear seats of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i shown in beige leather with orange piping, foldable center armrest, and premium door panel finishes.

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.

Close-up of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i’s touchscreen display showing navigation, Spotify, and FM radio interface options on a clean, modern UI.

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.

Side profile of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i in Deep Sea Blue, parked on a concrete lot with trees and lamp posts in the background.

It comes with an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty on the Blade Battery, as well as the electric motor and control system.

Close-up view of the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i’s engine bay, showing the Super DM-i hybrid system under the hood with visible fluid reservoirs and engine components.

Available colors include Arctic White, Harbour Grey, Cosmos Black, and Deep Sea Blue, paired with a beige-brown interior.

Four BYD Sealion 5 DM-i units in different colors are parked in front of the BYD Evo City showroom, showcasing the SUV’s design from multiple angles.

“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.

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  1. Ridenetwork

    June 22, 2025 at 6:15 am

  2. Pingback: Holiday Road Match With BYD - ridenetwork.ph

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EV

CR-V Goes Hybrid Hard

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Honda Cars Philippines Inc. kicked off 2026 with a familiar name but a very different lineup. The refreshed Honda CR-V has officially landed in the Philippines, unveiled at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, and the big headline is simple. The CR-V is now mostly hybrid.

After its regional debut in Thailand late last year, the new CR-V arrives locally with three variants. Two are now e:HEV hybrids, while only one keeps a pure turbo gasoline setup.

Three Variants, Two Hybrids

The range opens with the V Turbo HuNT CVT. It runs a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine paired with a CVT, sending power to the front wheels. Output stands at 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm.

The big shift happens in the middle. The VX e:HEV e-CVT now goes hybrid. It combines a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle VTEC engine producing 148 PS and 183 Nm with a dual-traction electric motor rated at 184 PS and 335 Nm. Power flows to the front wheels through an e-CVT.

At the top sits the RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT. It uses the same electrified setup as the VX but adds Real-Time AWD, giving the CR-V hybrid traction on all four wheels for the first time in the local lineup.

Same Shape, Sharper Details

Visually, the 2026 CR-V keeps its familiar proportions. Updates are subtle but noticeable. New 18-inch alloy wheels wear wider 235/60 tires, while exterior trim pieces and blacked-out accents freshen the look.

The HuNT styling package, exclusive to the V Turbo variant, adds copper accents on the grille and fog lights, silver highlights on the lower bumper, black wheel arch cladding, and silver running boards for a tougher stance.

Safety and Tech Go Standard

All variants come loaded with Honda Sensing, the brand’s full driver-assist suite. This includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high-beam, and lead car departure notification. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are now standard across the board.

Inside, every CR-V gets a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus Google built-in, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, leather seats, a wireless charging pad, power front seats with driver memory, a power tailgate, and Honda Connect. The head-up display is now available on the VX, no longer limited to the RS.

The RS keeps its premium edge with a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, red contrast stitching with RS logos, and a hands-free power tailgate.

Hybrid Warranty and Colors

Both e:HEV variants come with an 8-year or 160,000-km battery warranty for added peace of mind.

Color options include Canyon River Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl, with a PHP 20,000 surcharge for the white finish.

Introductory Pricing

Honda is offering special launch pricing for early buyers:

  • RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT – PHP 2,788,000
  • VX e:HEV e-CVT – PHP 2,438,000
  • V Turbo HuNT CVT – PHP 2,258,000

Regular prices are set PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 higher depending on the variant.

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Cars

Versa Returns

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Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is bringing back a familiar name on Philippine roads with the return of the Mitsubishi Versa Van. Once a staple for families and businesses, the Versa Van is making a comeback as a modern people-mover aimed squarely at organizations that transport passengers daily.

The revived Versa Van carries a legacy that traces back to the Mitsubishi Delica platform. Filipino motorists first encountered it in 1987 through the L300 cab chassis, which later evolved into the original Versa Van. Over the years, it became known for durability, flexibility, and no-nonsense performance. Now, Mitsubishi has reintroduced the nameplate with updates that suit today’s transport needs while keeping the traits that made it dependable in the first place.

Designed mainly for passenger duties, the new Versa Van targets small to medium-sized businesses. It is positioned as a practical solution for tourism operators, school service providers, and companies that run employee or guest shuttle services. Mitsubishi is clearly pitching it as a workhorse for enterprises that rely on consistent, daily mobility.

The Versa Van is powered a 2.5-liter diesel engine producing 129 PS at 3,200 rpm and 356 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 2,000 rpm. Power is sent through a 5-speed manual transmission, a setup intended for frequent stop-and-go driving and fully loaded runs. With seating for up to 15 passengers, including the driver, the Versa Van allows operators to move more people in a single trip without sacrificing basic comfort.

The cabin offers generous room and straightforward access, with adjustable seating and steering for the driver. Foldable seats help improve passenger flow, making boarding and alighting easier during busy routes. Each seat row gets its own ceiling-mounted air outlet, which helps maintain airflow across the cabin during long or crowded trips.

The Versa Van provides ample luggage space, supported by a larger rear door opening that simplifies loading and unloading. This detail is especially useful for shuttle and tourism operations where bags and equipment are part of the daily routine.

Mitsubishi also highlights easier maintenance as part of the package. Key components are positioned for better access, which can shorten service time and help reduce vehicle downtime. For businesses, that translates to more days on the road and fewer interruptions.

The Mitsubishi Versa Van is offered in a single GLX MT variant, priced at ₱1,649,000. Buyers can choose between Silver Metallic and White Solid finishes. With this reintroduction, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is reinforcing its focus on vehicles built for long-term use, aiming once again to make the Versa Van a familiar and reliable sight in everyday transport operations across the country

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Cars

Hill Climb for Toyota

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Toyota Motor Philippines has started work on a new dealership in Antipolo City, adding another service hub for customers east of Metro Manila. The project is being developed with Toyota Taytay, Rizal Inc. and is set to strengthen Toyota’s footprint in one of the country’s fastest growing cities.

The upcoming Toyota Antipolo, Rizal facility will rise along L. Sumulong Memorial Circle in Barangay San Jose. Designed as a full-service dealership, it aims to give local motorists easier access to sales and aftersales support without the long drive into Metro Manila.

Once completed, the dealership will cover a total floor area of 12,160 square meters across three floors and a mezzanine. It will feature a modern showroom that can display up to seven vehicles and a service area with 37 bays. Customers can expect express maintenance, periodic servicing, body and paint work, and general repairs under one roof.

Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto said the Antipolo site has long been part of the company’s hopes for network expansion. He shared that the new dealership will help Toyota serve customers in Rizal with greater convenience as the area continues to grow.

Toyota Antipolo, Rizal president Zellyn Lim Diaz highlighted the local impact of the project. She said the dealership will create jobs during construction and provide long-term employment once operations begin, while also supporting skills development and stable livelihoods for families in the area.

Antipolo City has seen steady growth driven by retail, real estate, tourism, and small businesses. Its close link to Metro Manila through major roads like Marcos Highway and Ortigas Avenue Extension has made mobility support an essential part of daily life. Toyota’s latest expansion places its services closer to motorists who rely on these routes every day.

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