EV
Toyota bZ4X goes on sale
Toyota Motor Philippines has started retail sales of its first battery electric vehicle under the Toyota brand, the all new bZ4X. The company said the first units were released to customers on December 11.
TMP positioned the bZ4X as part of its multi pathway approach to carbon neutral mobility. The company said it has built its electrified lineup over time, starting with the Prius hybrid in 2009. TMP also said it now offers 22 electrified models across Toyota and Lexus in the Philippines.
The bZ4X sold locally is an all wheel drive model. It uses a 73.11 kWh lithium ion battery and dual motors. TMP listed outputs of 227 PS in front and 120 PS at the rear, with 269 Nm of torque in front and 170 Nm at the rear. The company said the vehicle can reach up to 570 km of range under UN Regulation 101, with actual results depending on conditions and driving habits. Drive modes include Eco and X Mode.
On the outside, TMP highlighted an angular design, LED headlamps, 20 inch alloy wheels, and a panoramic moonroof. Ground clearance is 200 mm. The vehicle seats five. A power back door with a kick sensor is included.
TMP said the bZ4X comes with synthetic leather seats and generous second row space. Both front and rear seats have heating. The front seats also have ventilation. The driver gets an eight way power seat with memory settings.
For tech and convenience, TMP listed a 7 inch digital meter cluster and multi information display, plus a 14 inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The bZ4X also gets dual wireless charging ports in front and USB Type C ports for front and rear passengers.
TMP said the model comes with Toyota Safety Sense, including Pre Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Adaptive High Beam System, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Blind Spot and Panoramic View Monitors are included. A digital inside rearview mirror adds another visibility aid.
Each purchase comes with a free wall box charger and a portable charger.
“It takes time and strategic planning to roll out what we call our multi pathway approach to carbon neutral mobility, which involves customer education and preparedness, and providing technologies and solutions that are most appropriate for the market’s needs. From building up our widest lineup of Hybrid Electric Vehicles and introducing Battery Electric Vehicles through our luxury brand Lexus, we believe we’re ready to make BEVs more mainstream with the Toyota bZ4X, especially with Filipino users’ better understanding of EV technologies and power mix along with improving charging infrastructure,” shared TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations Elijah Marcial.
Early buyers pointed to fuel costs, charging access, and brand trust. One customer said, “A lot of my friends are getting electric and hybrid cars. I saw the advantages since I spend so much on fuel. I commute daily from Quezon City to Caloocan City, and even Nuvali three times a week. In Nuvali there are a lot of charging stations and during the weekdays most of them are available, so I don’t feel any range anxiety.” Another customer said, “It’s hard to bet on new players in the market. I’ve been a Toyota owner since the ‘80s, so I’m confident with their service and parts. When we get a car, my family doesn’t re sell, so for sure the bZ4X will be with us for the long run.”
TMP said the bZ4X will be sold in one variant, with pricing that depends on the two tone colorway. Prices start at PHP 2,699,000 and go up to PHP 2,719,000. Initial availability covers selected dealerships, including Toyota Alabang, Toyota Commonwealth, Toyota Global City, Toyota Mabolo Cebu, Toyota Makati, Toyota Manila Bay, Toyota Mandaue South, Toyota North EDSA, Toyota Pasig, Toyota Quezon Avenue, Toyota San Fernando, and Toyota Santa Rosa.
BMW is preparing to take its performance division into a fully electric future, with the first all-electric BMW M models set to arrive from 2027. The brand says these vehicles will carry the same high-performance character that defined BMW M on racetracks and public roads for decades, now powered entirely by electricity.
The upcoming models are built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform and use a newly developed electric system called BMW M eDrive. Unlike current setups, each wheel is powered by its own electric motor. This four-motor layout allows precise control of power delivery at every corner, improving traction, stability, and response during both daily driving and track use.
At the center of this system is BMW M Dynamic Performance Control, managed by a high-speed computing unit known internally as the “Heart of Joy.” The system processes driving data in real time and adjusts torque distribution instantly. BMW says this allows the electric M cars to behave like rear-wheel-drive models when needed, while still benefiting from all-wheel-drive capability for grip and efficiency. The front axle can even be fully decoupled during steady highway driving to improve range.
Power comes from a newly developed high-voltage battery with more than 100 kWh of usable energy. The battery is designed specifically for high-performance use and supports 800-volt charging technology for faster charging times. BMW also highlights improved energy recuperation, which allows the system to recover more power during braking without compromising performance.
The battery housing plays a structural role in the vehicle, connecting the front and rear axles. This design increases overall stiffness and contributes to sharper handling. Cooling systems and electronic controls have also been upgraded to handle sustained high loads during aggressive driving.
BMW M is also introducing new lightweight materials in these electric models. For the first time, natural fiber components will be used in place of some carbon fiber parts. The company says these materials offer similar strength while reducing carbon emissions during production.
BMW M managing director Franciscus van Meel said the shift to electric power allows the brand to push performance further while staying true to its racing roots. The company positions these upcoming models as everyday cars that can still deliver serious track capability.
Chinese automaker Deepal is set to enter the Philippine market after naming Autohub Group as its official local distributor.
The partnership was sealed through a formal signing with Changan Automobile Southeast Asia, giving Deepal a clear path into the country’s growing electrified vehicle space. Autohub said the brand will roll out a lineup focused on battery electric and range-extended electric vehicles aimed at daily urban use and light adventure driving.
Leading the initial launch is the Deepal S05 compact SUV. It will be offered in two versions. One is a range-extended electric vehicle designed for longer driving range and flexibility. The other is a full battery electric model aimed at city use. Both are positioned as accessible entry points into electrified mobility.
Joining the S05 is the Deepal G318, a range-extended electric SUV built with off-road capability in mind. The model targets buyers who want electric driving for daily use but need extra capability for rougher terrain. Autohub also confirmed that the larger Deepal S07 midsize SUV is lined up for release in the following quarters.
Deepal’s first major public appearance in the Philippines is scheduled for April 2026 at the Manila International Auto Show. The brand is expected to reveal more details about pricing, specifications, and its local market strategy during the event.
Autohub President Willy Tee Ten said bringing Deepal to the country supports the group’s plan to introduce forward-looking mobility brands that match rising interest in electrified transport. He added that the brand’s technology focus and product range fit everyday driving needs in the Philippine market.
No official pricing has been announced. Autohub said more information will be shared closer to the brand’s public debut.
OMODA & JAECOO closed 2025 with momentum that few young auto brands can match. In less than three years, the brand expanded into 64 markets across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with cumulative global sales passing 800,000 units. Growth came even as several global markets slowed, placing OMODA and JAECOO among the fastest-growing automotive brands worldwide.
Europe stood out as a key battleground. The brand posted strong market share gains in countries such as the UK and Italy, while electrified models powered much of the growth. Hybrid and electric vehicles equipped with the SHS Super Hybrid System became a major driver, supporting the company’s push in the new energy segment.
Recognition followed sales. Across multiple regions, OMODA and JAECOO picked up awards that covered brand strength, product performance, and powertrain technology. In the UK, JAECOO was named Carwow Brand of the Year 2026, while the JAECOO 7 and OMODA 5 earned model-level honors. In Spain, the SHS Super Hybrid System received Autobild’s Technology of the Year award.
Southeast Asia delivered both trophies and traction. In Thailand, the JAECOO J5 EV and J7 SHS-P won Car of the Year and Best PHEV SUV titles. Malaysia saw the J7 and J8 secure multiple awards, while in Indonesia, the J8 SHS set a Guinness World Record after completing a real-world driving range test of 1,660 kilometers.
Latin America added to the tally. The OMODA C5 and JAECOO 5 were named Most Recommended Vehicle of the Year by Autocosmos Chile, while Brazil recognized the J7 SHS as Mid-size Hybrid of the Year. Taken together, the awards formed a wide-ranging validation across regions, segments, and technologies.
High-profile appearances also boosted global visibility. At IAA Mobility in Germany, OMODA and JAECOO showcased their SHS technology lineup and flagship models, drawing attention for performance, efficiency, range, and safety. The brand followed this with dynamic demonstrations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, strengthening its presence among European performance and premium car audiences.
Outside traditional auto shows, the brand leaned into pop culture and lifestyle partnerships. A global collaboration with Jurassic World linked the vehicles’ rugged positioning with adventure themes from the film franchise. Fashion and entertainment events followed in Spain, Brazil, the UK, Italy, South Africa, and Vietnam, allowing the brand to connect with younger audiences through music festivals, fashion weeks, and major cultural gatherings.
Behind the brand’s expansion sits its parent company, Chery Group, which ranked 233rd on the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list. By mid-2025, Chery had exported more than five million vehicles worldwide, underlining the scale supporting OMODA and JAECOO’s international push.
OMODA continues to position itself as a crossover-focused brand, while JAECOO targets the premium off-road and SUV space. Both tracks feed into the company’s broader goal in electrification, with SHS hybrid and electric systems anchoring future plans. Beyond vehicles, the group has also expanded into intelligent technologies, including a service robot developed with the AiMOGA team that debuted in public service use at the Asian Youth Para Games.
By the end of 2025, OMODA and JAECOO had turned rapid expansion into recognition across markets, shows, and award stages. The brand now moves forward with a larger global footprint and growing credibility in electrified mobility.
