EV
VF 6 packs IP67 protection
VinFast is putting the water and dust protection of the VF 6 at the center of its pitch to Filipino motorists during the rainy season.
The electric crossover uses a 59.6-kWh battery pack and powertrain components with an IP67 rating. VinFast says the rating protects critical hardware against dust and temporary water immersion for up to 30 minutes under controlled test conditions.
The added protection addresses a common concern among motorists who are considering an electric vehicle. However, an IP67 rating is not clearance to enter deep floodwater. Water depth, current and hidden road hazards can still place any vehicle and its occupants at risk.
The VF 6 has 170 mm of ground clearance, while its electronic systems provide support when traction becomes limited on wet surfaces. Electronic stability control, traction control and electronic brakeforce distribution help the driver maintain control under changing road conditions.
Heated side mirrors and defoggers improve visibility when rain and moisture obscure the windows. The VF 6 also carries driver-assistance features that can reduce some of the strain caused by poor visibility and slow traffic.
Adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain distance from the car ahead. A 360-degree camera gives the driver a clearer view when moving through narrow streets or parking spaces. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert monitor areas that may be difficult to see from the driver’s seat.
The Plus variant is fitted with eight airbags, while the Eco receives four.
Power comes from a single electric motor. The Eco produces 130 kW, while the Plus delivers up to 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque. The immediate response of the motor suits repeated acceleration and braking in city traffic.
VinFast lists a driving range of up to 480 kilometers under the NEDC cycle. DC fast charging can replenish the battery from 10 to 70 percent in about 25 minutes, although actual charging time and range depend on operating conditions.
The VF 6 is covered by a seven-year or 160,000-km vehicle warranty. Its battery warranty runs for 10 years or 200,000 km. Buyers also receive access to free charging at V-Green stations until 31 March 2029 under VinFast’s current program.
Prices for the VF 6 Eco start at P1.249 million with a battery subscription and P1.499 million with the battery included. The Plus starts at P1.409 million under the subscription plan and P1.699 million with the battery.
The IP67 rating gives the VF 6 an added layer of protection during wet weather. Sensible judgment, however, is still the most important equipment when floodwater begins to rise.
Nissan Philippines has launched the all-new Kicks e-POWER with introductory prices starting at ₱1.499 million.
The new-generation subcompact crossover is available in three variants. The VE carries a launch price of ₱1.499 million, while the VL costs ₱1.649 million. The range-topping LE Plus is priced at ₱1.749 million. These prices are valid until 30 September 2026.
The latest Kicks follows the original model introduced locally in 2022 and retains Nissan’s e-POWER system. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine generates electricity for the battery, while an electric motor drives the wheels.
This setup produces 136 PS and 280 Nm of torque. It delivers the quick response of an electric motor without requiring the vehicle to be charged from an external power source.
Nissan has also updated the exterior with a revised V-Motion grille, triple-arrow daytime running lights and hexagon-shaped rear lamps. Improved headlights provide wider and longer illumination.
The cabin gains Zero Gravity seats, anti-heat leather upholstery and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Rear occupants get a revised seatback angle and an armrest.
A 12.3-inch Display Audio system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. NissanConnect Services is included with a three-year subscription.
The LE Plus adds Nissan ProPILOT, which assists with steering, acceleration and braking. The system includes Intelligent Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control and Traffic Jam Assist.
Other driver-assistance features include forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot intervention, rear automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert and an Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection.
Four exterior colors are available: Aquamarine Metallic, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and Moon Pearl Gray. The LE Plus may also be ordered with a black roof and Moonstone interior.
Each unit comes with a complimentary one-year Nissan Protect+ package that covers prepaid maintenance using genuine Nissan oil and parts.
Reservations are open at Nissan dealerships nationwide and through the company’s website. Customers may also see the new Kicks at the Nissan Intelligent Mobility Tour at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center until August 30, 2026.
Green GSM has launched Premium Taxi, a seven-seat electric taxi service aimed at families, groups, business travellers and passengers carrying several pieces of luggage.
The new service uses a fleet of VinFast Limo Green electric vehicles and becomes Green GSM’s second service tier in the Philippines after Green GSM Car. Each vehicle can accommodate up to six passengers aside from the driver.
Premium Taxi will initially operate in Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong and Pasig. Its coverage includes major business districts, commercial centres, hotels and transport hubs within these cities.
Unlike the cyan vehicles used for Green GSM Car, the Limo Green units are finished in black to distinguish the premium fleet. Their three-row cabins feature automatic air conditioning, dedicated vents for both rear rows and an air-filtration system.
The electric powertrain also eliminates engine noise, exhaust emissions and fuel odour during trips.
Green GSM said Premium Taxi drivers were selected based on their service ratings and trained to meet the company’s customer-care standards. Fares are displayed through the vehicle meter and Green GSM mobile app, where passengers can also monitor trip details.
Customers may book through the app, hail an available Premium Taxi on the street or call the company’s hotline at 02-7777-8080.
“Premium Taxi is not simply about providing more space,” Green GSM Philippines CEO Le Thi Thu Trang said. “It is designed for journeys where comfort and attention to detail matter, from family trips and airport transfers to business engagements and special occasions.”
The company said its Philippine electric fleet had completed nearly five million trips and travelled more than 32.6 million kilometres as of 31 March 2026.
Green GSM estimated that these trips helped avoid about 6,263 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, an amount it said was equivalent to the carbon absorbed by nearly 289,000 trees in one year.
The Premium Taxi service adds a larger option to the operator’s all-electric fleet as it targets passengers who need more cabin and luggage space without moving to a conventional fuel-powered vehicle.
XPENG will enter the Philippine market in September with two electric vehicles that form part of a wider technology ecosystem built around artificial intelligence.
The Chinese automaker will introduce the X9, its flagship seven-seat model, and the L03 SUV coupé. Philippine specifications, variants, prices and availability will be announced during the official launch.
The X9 is positioned for families, executives and professionals who want a spacious cabin with intelligent features. The L03 offers a sportier design and is aimed at customers looking for a more contemporary daily vehicle.
Both models will carry XPENG’s approach to what it calls AI Mobility. The company wants to distinguish itself from other electric vehicle brands through technology that helps a vehicle understand its surroundings and respond to the needs of its occupants.
“XPENG’s arrival in the Philippines is not simply about introducing another electric vehicle brand,” XPENG Southeast Asia General Manager Sam Chu said.
“We want to help establish AI Mobility as a category in its own right and show Filipino motorists how artificial intelligence can make every journey safer, more intuitive and more responsive to their needs,” he added.
XPENG develops its advanced driver assistance technology, in-car operating system, powertrain and electrical architecture in-house. At the end of 2025, the company employed 8,845 people in research and development, which accounted for more than 40 percent of its workforce.
Its research covers AI, software, robotics, vehicle engineering and other mobility technologies. This work also supports products outside its passenger vehicle range.
Among them is IRON, a humanoid robot designed to move, communicate and interact with people. XPENG plans to deploy the robot as a guide in its retail locations as development moves toward mass production.
The company is also involved in low-altitude mobility through ARIDGE. Its Land Aircraft Carrier pairs a road vehicle with a detachable electric aircraft. The technology remains under development and will still depend on supporting infrastructure and regulation.
XPENG also uses automation, connected production systems and AI-supported quality controls in its factories to improve consistency and manufacturing precision.
Founded in 2014, XPENG is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Its Philippine debut comes as more Chinese brands compete locally on range, equipment, design and price. The company is betting that software and artificial intelligence will give the X9 and L03 a clearer identity in an increasingly crowded market.
