Cars
Toyota gathers its tribe in Laguna
Toyota Motor Philippines is bringing owners, enthusiasts and aftermarket brands together for the first Toyota Legacy Experience from July 31 to August 2 at Eton City Square Village Walk in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The three-day gathering celebrates Toyota’s history in the Philippines through vehicle displays, community activities and test drives. Guests can drive the all-new Land Cruiser FJ and Hilux on asphalt and off-road courses to experience the capabilities of the two models.
Toyota car clubs will display vehicles and meet fellow enthusiasts throughout the event. Participating groups include the Land Cruiser Club of the Philippines, FJ Cruiser Owners Philippines, Grupo Toyota, Hilux Club PH, GR Supra PH, GR Yaris PH, 86 Club PH, GR Corolla and TMP Car Club.
Other communities joining the gathering include Aesthetics Toyota, Car Friends, JDMUnderground Philippines, Hardcore Outdoor and Slapsoil Car Club.
Aftermarket companies will also showcase products and vehicle builds. The lineup includes Overland Kings, Gears Banawe, TJM, Concept One, PIAA, SONAX, Premium Overland, Atoy Customs, Atoy 4X4, Parts Pro, Vinyl Frog, Aguila Glass and GT Radial.
Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. on July 31, followed by introductions and programs featuring the participating clubs, aftermarket brands and Toyota’s aftersales division. Public test drives start at 2 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m.
The event opens at 9 a.m. on August 1 and 2. Car club, aftermarket and aftersales activities will run during both days, while test drives will remain available until 6 p.m. The program ends at 7 p.m. each day.
Visitors can also join activities for event-exclusive giveaways. The Tamaraw Food Park provides a place for guests to eat and spend time with family and friends between programs.
The Toyota Legacy Experience is positioned as the brand’s biggest community gathering of the year, with different generations of Toyota vehicles and owners sharing the same venue.
More event details are available through Toyota Motor Philippines’ Facebook, Instagram and X pages, as well as the ToyotaPH community on Viber.
Strong pricing offsets losses tied to EV retreat
NEW YORK, United States — Ford Motor Co. raised its full-year earnings forecast after strong vehicle pricing helped improve its outlook despite a $1.3-billion second-quarter loss.
The Michigan automaker now expects adjusted operating earnings of $10 billion to $11 billion in 2026. Its previous forecast ranged from $8.5 billion to $10 billion.
Ford posted the quarterly loss after booking $3.6 billion in costs related to the wind-down of an electric vehicle battery joint venture. Revenue dropped 3.8 percent to $48.3 billion as wholesale vehicle sales declined 12.3 percent.
The company, however, said demand for new vehicles remained solid even as buyers dealt with inflation and elevated interest rates.
“Our core consumer has been very resilient, despite inflation, despite what we’re seeing in interest rates,” Ford chief financial officer Sherry House said.
Ford now expects industry-wide vehicle prices to increase by 0.5 percent this year. It previously projected pricing to remain roughly unchanged.
The automaker estimates total US vehicle sales will reach between 16 million and 16.5 million units in 2026, close to the previous year’s level.
Lower warranty expenses also contributed to the improved forecast. Ford expects fewer supply problems after an outage at a Novelis aluminum plant in New York state disrupted production last year.
Two fires at the plant in 2025 forced the automaker to seek other sources of aluminum. House said material supplies from the facility should be fully restored by September.
Ford shares rose 1 percent in after-hours trading following the earnings announcement.
BYD Cars Philippines has expanded its electrified sedan range with the updated Seal 5 DM-i, now offered in Essential and Dynamic variants.
The plug-in hybrid sedan uses BYD’s fifth-generation Super DM-i technology. During an efficiency run conducted with the Automobile Association Philippines, the Seal 5 DM-i recorded a combined driving range of up to 2,181 kilometers.
Actual range will vary based on traffic, driving habits, weather, vehicle load and battery condition.
The Essential carries a 7.42-kWh Blade Battery that provides up to 55 kilometers of electric driving. The Dynamic receives a larger 18.3-kWh battery and raises the claimed electric range to 115 kilometers. Once the battery charge drops, the gasoline engine and electric motor continue working together.
BYD Cars Philippines managing director Bob Palanca said the updated model was developed for buyers looking for an efficient daily car and businesses seeking to reduce fleet operating costs.
Cabin equipment includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Automatic climate control comes with rear vents, while several USB ports provide charging access for occupants.
The trunk holds 522 liters with the rear seats in place. Folding them increases the available cargo space to 1,295 liters, giving the sedan added flexibility for luggage or business equipment.
Standard safety equipment includes cruise control, tire-pressure monitoring and rear parking sensors. Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Hold Control and Automatic Vehicle Hold are also fitted, along with multiple airbags.
The Seal 5 DM-i Essential carries a suggested retail price of P948,000, while the Dynamic is listed at P1.048 million. Special introductory prices are available until August 31, 2026, with the regular prices taking effect on September 1, 2026.
Both variants include an eight-year drive-unit warranty and a six-year or 160,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty. The Blade Battery is covered for eight years or 160,000 kilometers.
Buyers may choose from Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey and Harbour Grey. Financing packages are available through BPI.
The sedan’s launch also starts the BYD Tech Tour at the TriNoma Activity Center, which runs until August 2, 2026.
The Chevrolet Spark EUV has been named the 2026 Electric Car of the Year by the Inter-American Federation of Automotive Journalism.
Automotive journalists from across the Americas selected the winners through a direct vote covering several vehicle categories. The recognition places the Spark EUV among Chevrolet’s notable entry-level electric models as it reaches more than eight markets in the region.
The compact electric vehicle has also gained ground in Brazil. Chevrolet recorded more than 1,000 Spark EUV deliveries there in April, up 70 percent from 628 units in March. It was the model’s strongest monthly performance in South America’s largest automotive market.
Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc., the official Chevrolet distributor in the Philippines, welcomed the award as the company expands the brand’s electric vehicle range locally.
“The Chevrolet Spark EUV’s recognition as the 2026 Electric Car of the Year by FIPA is a proud milestone that reflects Chevrolet’s commitment to delivering innovative, accessible, and customer-focused electric mobility solutions,” HARI Vice Chairman, President and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo said.
Built mainly for urban use, the Spark EUV combines compact exterior dimensions with a spacious cabin and digital cockpit. Its modern-retro design is offered in several bright colors, while its size and handling suit crowded streets and limited parking spaces.
A 75-kW permanent magnet synchronous motor produces 102 PS and 180 Nm of torque. It draws power from a 41.9-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and provides up to 360 kilometers of range under the NEDC testing standard.
The Spark EUV supports AC and DC charging. Using a compatible DC fast charger, its battery can go from 30 to 80 percent in approximately 35 minutes.
Driver-assistance equipment includes adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist, lane safety features and a 360-degree panoramic camera. These systems help manage routine driving tasks and improve visibility around the vehicle.
Perez-Agudo said the Spark EUV shows how electric technology, safety and everyday practicality can be offered in one compact package. Its latest award gives Chevrolet another selling point as the brand introduces electric mobility to more Filipino drivers.
