Cars
Seven-Seat Shift
VinFast Philippines is taking a two-track approach to the local multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market with the VF MPV 7 and VF Limo Green, targeting both private families and high-use transport operators.
The two electric seven-seaters enter a segment long built around space, practicality and affordability. VinFast is adding a different angle by pairing electric mobility with ownership programs meant to lower entry costs and ease long-term concerns around batteries, charging and resale value.
The VF MPV 7 is positioned for families that need one vehicle for several daily roles. In many Filipino households, a seven-seater moves from school runs and errands to weekend trips and family gatherings. VinFast is pitching the model as a more flexible family vehicle, with emphasis on usable space, comfort and refinement.
The VF Limo Green, meanwhile, is aimed at transport services and business operators. Its role is more direct. It is built for daily use, high mileage and passenger operations where fuel, maintenance and downtime affect earnings.
Electric power changes part of that cost structure. VinFast is offering the Limo Green as a practical option for operators looking for lower running costs and more predictable expenses compared with conventional fuel-powered MPVs.
The vehicles are supported by VinFast’s battery subscription model, which separates the battery from the vehicle purchase. According to the brand, this can reduce the initial cost by up to around 20 percent while shifting battery performance and maintenance responsibility to VinFast through a monthly fee.
VinFast is also offering a Residual Value Guarantee program that gives customers value protection of up to 90 percent of the vehicle’s original price under defined conditions. Resale value remains a major concern for many buyers moving to electric vehicles, especially in a market where EV adoption is still developing.
Charging support is also part of the strategy. Through V-Green, VinFast is expanding charging access and offering free charging until March 2029. The brand is also combining this with financing options, aftersales support and service coverage.
VinFast Philippines also introduced RENTAPASADA during the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). The vehicle-rental program gives drivers access to VinFast electric vehicles, including the Limo Green, through Green GSM’s platform for ride-hailing and transport-service operations.
Rhomel Franco, chief executive officer of VinFast Philippines, said the brand wants electric mobility to work beyond showroom sales.
“With the VF MPV 7 and the VF Limo Green, supported by an expanding ecosystem, we are enabling a more practical and accessible transition to electric vehicles in the Philippines,” Franco said.
VinFast’s MPV push places the brand in two active parts of the market at once. One side wants a family seven-seater with lower long-term ownership concerns. The other needs a work vehicle that can control operating costs.
Together, the VF MPV 7 and VF Limo Green give VinFast a wider entry point into a segment where space is no longer the only selling point.
The Philippines joins Australia and South Africa among Ford Ranger Raptor’s top export markets
The Philippines has emerged as one of the Ford Ranger Raptor’s top three export markets, joining Australia and South Africa as demand for the performance pickup continues to hold strong.
Ford Philippines said the milestone reflects the Ranger Raptor’s sustained appeal among Filipino truck buyers, particularly customers looking for a pickup with off-road hardware, high output and Ford Performance engineering.
Global cumulative production of the Ranger Raptor has reached more than 215,000 units since the model was launched in 2018, based on production volume as of May 31, 2026.
The first production Ranger Raptor rolled off the line on June 25, 2018 at Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) in Rayong, Thailand. The facility remains the model’s main global production and export hub, shipping the pickup to 106 countries.
Ford later expanded Ranger Raptor production to the United States in 2023 for the North American market through its Michigan Assembly Plant.
The Ranger Raptor was originally planned as a specialized, low-volume performance pickup. Demand later grew as the model built a following around its high-speed off-road capability and factory-backed performance upgrades.
Pedro Simoes, managing director of Ford Philippines, said the local milestone shows how Filipino buyers have responded to the truck’s capability and engineering.
“The Ranger Raptor has completely redefined what a high-performance pickup can be, and its sustained demand in the country is a testament to its unmatched capabilities,” Simoes said.
In the Philippines, the Ranger Raptor lineup is led by the Raptor 3.0L V6. The model is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo EcoBoost engine that delivers 397 PS and 583 Nm of torque.
The engine is paired with a performance-tuned 10-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with an anti-lag system available in Baja mode, which is intended for off-road use only.
Ford also equipped the Raptor 3.0L V6 with FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers developed with Ford Performance. The suspension setup is designed to help the truck handle rough terrain while keeping its high-speed off-road character.
MANILA, Philippines | The GAC AION UT is building momentum in the Philippines after posting stronger global sales and gaining early traction among local electric vehicle buyers.
GAC International Philippines Inc. (GAC Philippines) said the AION UT recorded 3,331 units in global sales in May 2026, up 60 percent month on month. The company described the model as the fastest-growing Chinese-brand electric hatchback in its segment.
The AION UT was launched in the Philippines in May 2026 as part of GAC’s new energy vehicle lineup. The compact electric hatchback has also expanded across Thailand, Australia, Latin America and Europe since its global debut in 2025.
Its global recognition includes the Most Valuable EV Award at the Bangkok International Motor Show, Best Compact Electric Vehicle Award in Mexico and Best Subcompact Hatchback 5 Dr. EV at Thailand’s Car of the Year 2026.
Designed by GAC’s Milan Design Center, the AION UT carries the brand’s “Digital Magic Cube” design language and a fastback body style. It has a 2,750 mm wheelbase, giving the hatchback a larger cabin footprint than its compact size suggests.
The model also uses GAC’s Magazine Battery 2.0 technology, which the company said has maintained a zero-spontaneous-combustion safety record.
“We are thrilled to bring another global hit from GAC’s line of innovations to the Philippines through the AION UT,” said Steven Wang, Senior Vice President of GAC International. “This milestone allows us to further serve and diversify our brand offerings in the local mobility scene. We are confident that the AION UT will bolster dynamic, safe, and sustainable driving for Filipinos this 2026”.
Early Filipino owners cited efficiency, cabin space and value as factors behind their decision to shift to the AION UT.
Paul Lacson, a Silay City government employee and GAC owner, said the brand’s quality helped him choose the electric hatchback after owning a GAC Emzoom.
“I also have a two-year old GAC Emzoom, and the quality of the brand made me confident in choosing the AION UT. Since the fuel crisis, I’ve been using the AION UT for everyday commutes. The drive comfort is very good, and the power for its size is very strong, especially on the highway. I took it on an out-of-town trip and for a 100-kilometer stretch, I only used 20% of the battery. It’s been a game-changer for my family”.
Lacson said he compared the model with other electric and hybrid vehicles before choosing the AION UT for its features, efficiency and operating cost.
Jeff Filio, a quality analyst and first-time EV owner, said the AION UT stood out after he researched competing options.
“I was looking at other brands, but after I saw the AION UT in an ad, I looked into it further and saw the higher range and better tech. It was actually the first release of the Aion UT at GAC Kawit,” said Filio. “We got the two-tone unit, which is exactly what my wife and I like. Picking up the unit was a special family experience. It was my grandma’s birthday, and we all had a lot of fun. My gut feeling, based on research and reviews, was right; I really like it, and the GAC app is also very handy”.
The AION UT Elite is priced at P1.068 million. Its introductory price of P998,000, which includes a P50,000 discount, has been extended until 31 July 2026. GAC Philippines is also offering an additional P20,000 promo discount for the first 400 units sold.
Color options include Champs-Elysees Beige, Emerald Green, Rococo White, Seine Silver and a two-tone Rococo White with Emerald Green combination.
GAC Philippines said the AION UT is now available for reservation at its dealerships nationwide. The company currently operates a 30-dealer network, supported by a local parts warehouse and aftersales operations.
EV models carry an eight-year or 160,000 km warranty, while the core three-electric system is covered for eight years or 200,000 km. New owners also get two years of free roadside assistance.
Toyota Motor Philippines is bringing the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup back to the track on 11 July 2026 at Clark International Speedway, with the next leg set to test alternative fuels under race conditions.
The series was paused after its opening round in March at Riverpark in General Trias, Cavite, following the Automobile Association of the Philippines’ decision to suspend sanctioned motorsports events due to the fuel crisis. With AAP allowing selected racing activities to resume, Toyota’s one-make series is returning with a new fuel direction.
The Clark round will serve as a “rolling laboratory” for Toyota, using ethanol-blended fuels for the Vios One-Make Race cars and biodiesel for the Tamaraw One-Make Race vehicles. Toyota said the program supports Gazoo Racing’s role as a testing ground for building better cars while exploring more sustainable racing solutions.
The March opener marked the competitive debut of the Tamaraw OMR on the 2.4-kilometer Riverpark street course. Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto also joined the action behind the wheel of a Tamaraw, while Iñigo Anton and Will Lucas took wins in their respective classes.
The Vios OMR also ran during the first leg, with Sporting, Super Sporting and Legacy race classes on the grid. Both the Tamaraw and Vios OMRs are expected to return at Clark for the July race weekend.
Other local motorsports events have also resumed, including the Makabayan Endurance Race Series and Super Sprint, where alternative fuels are being encouraged among competitors.
For Toyota, the Clark leg gives the TGR Philippine Cup a role beyond competition. It puts biofuel use under the pressure of actual racing, where heat, speed, consistency and reliability can be measured in real time.
