Cars
Wetter the Better: Kia’s Rainy Day Road Rules Every Driver Should Know
As typhoon season hits its peak in the Philippines, Kia is offering timely advice to help motorists navigate the wet roads safely. From practical safety checks to 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance, Kia Philippines wants drivers to feel prepared—rain or shine.
“Rainy weather adds risk to every journey,” said Kia Philippines Managing Director Jay Lopez. “We want to empower our customers with knowledge and dependable support to keep them and their families safe.”
Kia’s rainy season tips are broken down into three crucial phases: before, during, and after a typhoon.
Before the Storm Hits
Drivers are advised to move their vehicles to higher ground or covered parking to avoid flood damage. Kia also suggests taking photos of the car beforehand to help with any future insurance claims.
For EV owners, full charging is essential in case of power outages. All drivers should inspect their tires, brakes, wipers, lights, and battery. EVs need extra attention—charging ports and connectors must be dry and clean.
Emergency car kits are a must. Tools, first aid supplies, power banks, and important documents should be stored in waterproof containers. Kia also reminds its customers that their 24/7 roadside assistance hotline is available for any emergency.
During a Typhoon
The brand’s golden rule: never drive through floodwaters. Even six inches of water can immobilize a car. EVs, while generally more resistant, are still vulnerable to hidden hazards and electrical issues.
If flooding can’t be avoided, Kia advises to drive slowly and steadily through the center of the road where water is shallower. Avoid shifting gears midstream, and once clear, tap the brakes gently to dry them.
If water rises around a parked car, don’t start the engine. Turn off the ignition and disconnect the 12V battery—only if it’s safe and the driver knows how. Otherwise, wait for professional help.
After the Rain
Inspect the vehicle for visible damage like water lines, debris, or mud, especially around the engine and undercarriage. Never attempt to start a flooded vehicle. Doing so may cause severe internal damage.
Instead, call Kia’s 24/7 roadside assistance. Even if the car seems fine, Kia recommends taking it to an authorized service center for a detailed inspection. Water can leave behind hidden damage that affects long-term safety.
Kia’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance Program
Kia owners can rely on free nationwide roadside assistance that includes towing, flat tire replacement, battery boosts, fuel delivery, lockout help, minor repairs, EV towing to the nearest charging station, and even hotel support for stranded travelers.
Motorists can call (02) 5318-8464 for help. Make sure to have the plate number, conduction sticker, and VIN or chassis number ready.
For more updates and details, visit kia.com/ph or follow Kia Philippines on social media.
Toyota Motor Philippines will hold Race Weekend 3 of the 2026 Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup at Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas, on August 15.
The event will be the championship’s first visit to the country’s oldest permanent car racetrack. Admission is free, while the races will also be shown live on the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Facebook page.
Drivers will compete across the Super Sporting, Sporting and Legacy classes using Vios one-make race cars. The Tamaraw class will return with the Tamaraw one-make race car introduced this season.
Batangas Racing Circuit’s technical layout will give competitors a different challenge as they adjust to a new venue.
TMP Senior Vice President for Marketing Sherwin Chua-Lim said the circuit will test the drivers while introducing the racing series to more car enthusiasts.
“Our aim at Toyota Gazoo Racing has always been to provide opportunities for racers to test their limits for better and to bring racing closer to different car communities,” Chua-Lim said.
The race cars will continue using low-carbon fuel blends introduced during the previous round. The Vios race cars will run on E20, which contains 20 percent bioethanol, while the Tamaraw entries will use B5 fuel with a five percent coco-biodiesel blend.
TMP said the program supports the study of lower-carbon fuels and their possible wider use. It also seeks to contribute to energy security and the development of local biofuel supply chains.
TMP First Vice President for Corporate Affairs Josephine Villanueva said racers gave positive feedback on the performance of the blended fuels under demanding track conditions. Toyota will continue studying their feasibility for future motorsports events.
The race weekend is supported by partners including GT Radial, Petron, Denso and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy.
BDO Unibank is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a nationwide raffle that gives customers a chance to win five Toyota Ativ Hybrid cars and 250 SM Gift Passes.
The BDO 50th Anniversary Raffle runs from August to December 2026 and is open to eligible clients of BDO Unibank and BDO Network Bank.
New customers may join by opening a qualified deposit account, completing a one-time online registration and maintaining the required balance. Existing clients can earn entries by adding to their deposits and registering online.
The raffle has five draws. Customers who qualify in August can win one of 50 SM Gift Passes worth P5,000 each during the first draw on 14 September.
Another 50 gift passes will be awarded on 14 October to customers who qualify in September.
The next two draws will add hybrid cars to the prizes. Customers who qualify in October can win one Toyota Ativ Hybrid and one of 50 gift passes on 14 November. The same set of prizes will be awarded to November qualifiers during the 14 December draw.
All eligible entries earned from August to December will be included in the grand draw on 14 January 2027. Three Toyota Ativ Hybrid cars and another 50 SM Gift Passes will be given away during the final draw.
BDO introduced the raffle as a thanksgiving program for clients who have supported the bank during its first five decades.
The bank has served Filipinos through different stages of their financial lives, from opening an account for a first salary to saving for a home, education, business or retirement.
Financial habits have changed considerably during that period as mobile apps and online services made many banking transactions available without a branch visit. Customers have also started saving for a wider range of goals, including emergency funds, travel, investments and small businesses.
BDO said it will continue adapting its services as customer needs and banking habits change.
Mitsubishi is bringing back the ASX name for a new battery-electric model in Australia, where the 2027 ASX VR-e is scheduled to arrive in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The new EV is not related to the gasoline-powered ASX currently sold in Australia. Instead, it is based on the Foxtron Bria, an electric vehicle developed in Taiwan by Foxtron, the automotive arm of electronics manufacturer Foxconn.
Mitsubishi has carried out local testing and development for Australia and New Zealand, while also giving the vehicle its own exterior and interior details.
The ASX VR-e name combines two familiar Mitsubishi badges. ASX stands for Active Sports Crossover, while VR-e takes inspiration from the VR-4 designation previously used on performance models such as the Galant VR-4.
Four variants are planned for Australia, namely LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.
Mitsubishi has so far released only limited technical information for the ASX VR-e, but the Foxtron Bria on which it is based is offered with rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The rear-wheel-drive version uses a single electric motor producing 171 kW, or about 229 hp, and can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version develops 298 kW, or about 400 hp, and cuts the sprint to 3.9 seconds.
Both versions use a 57.5-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The Bria is rated at up to 516 km of range under the NEDC test cycle for the rear-wheel-drive model, while the all-wheel-drive version is rated at 466 km.
Estimated WLTP figures are lower at around 430 km and 400 km, respectively. DC fast charging is rated at up to 134 kW, with a 10 to 80 percent charge said to take about 30 minutes.
The ASX VR-e measures 4,315 mm long, 1,885 mm wide and 1,535 mm tall, with a 2,800-mm wheelbase. Its dimensions place it in the small crossover and hatchback class.
Changes from the Foxtron version include Mitsubishi badging, revised daytime running lights, different alloy wheels and interior trim. The vehicle also uses an S-duct through the front fascia and active grille shutters to help reduce aerodynamic drag.
Expected equipment includes a 15.6-inch infotainment display, 9.2-inch digital instrument panel, power-adjustable front seats, a 360-degree camera, glass roof and ambient lighting.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shunichi Kihara described the ASX VR-e as the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle in Australia since the i-MiEV and part of Mitsubishi’s wider electrification plans under its Momentum 2030 strategy.
Pricing and final Australian specifications will be announced closer to its launch later this year.
