Automotive
BYTON unveils electric intelligent SUV concept
It interacts with pedestrians!
2018 is all about artificial intelligence. We’ve seen smartphones backed by AI, and now, we’re slowly feeling their presence in cars.
China-based company BYTON took the wraps off of their new electric SUV at CES 2018. Considered as a new-generation smart device, the BYTON Concept aims to blur the line between automotive and digital industries.
This intelligent SUV concept communicates with users and pedestrians through its grille. The company calls it Smart Surfaces which consists of LED lights running throughout the panel. It’s still unclear how one can interpret the meaning, but it uses connecting lines and dots that switch between different display modes to interact.
Invisible door handles are the way to go since the electric vehicle uses face recognition cameras to unlock the doors automatically. Not only that, it remembers driver and passenger information to auto-adjust seat angles, entertainment options, and other settings according to user preferences and usage.
Additionally, traditional side mirrors are now replaced with side-view cameras.
Peeking inside through the panoramic sunroof, the interior is set up with a wooden floor, leather seats, and the most eye-catching piece: a 49 x 9.8-inch Shared Experience Display.
This stretched-out monitor replaces the central console of today’s cars. It also supports video and phone conference with advanced machine learning that studies your calendar, locations, and hobbies to provide customized advice on a day’s agenda, for example.
Its platform recognizes voice commands through Alexa Voice plus hand gestures for specific commands.
The BYTON Concept will be available in rear-wheel and four-wheel drive models. Power-wise, the RWD variant will get a 71kWh battery pack that can last for approximately 400km according to the company, while the more expensive 4WD model will be equipped with a 95kWh battery that could run for about 520km. BYTON claims that it can charge its battery from zero to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
This premium smart electric SUV starts at US$ 45,000 and will launch initially in China towards the end of 2019 with the US and Europe slated for a 2020 release.
Automotive
Ford revs up Truck Month with extended 5-star care offers
Explore exclusive cash discounts, flexible downpayment plans, and showroom activations in the Philippines.
Ford Philippines brings back its annual Truck Month this September, pairing special financing and cash savings with extended service coverage across the updated Ranger and Everest lineups.
The month-long program shifts the focus toward long-term ownership peace of mind. This ensures drivers feel supported well beyond the showroom floor.
Comprehensive coverage for every journey
For drivers who view their truck or SUV as an essential partner for travel and daily routines, maintenance clarity brings genuine confidence.
Select variants in the lineup now include Ford’s 5-Star Care Package, bundling a five-year warranty, five-year scheduled service plan, and five-year roadside assistance.
Flagship performance models built for challenging roads, including the Ranger Raptor 3.0L V6, Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0L V6, and Ranger Wildtrak 3.0L V6, pair this complete service coverage with PhP 20,000 in cash savings. On another note, the Raptor 3.0L V6 also offers a PhP 150,000 all-in downpayment option.
Versatile family vehicles receive identical long-term backing, with the Everest Platinum 3.0L V6, Everest Wildtrak 2.0L, Everest Sport+ 2.0L, and Everest Active 2.0L all bundling the five-year care plan. Meanwhile, the Everest Wildtrak 2.0L Turbo includes an additional PhP 20,000 cash discount.
Financing designed around daily routines
Flexibility plays a central role in fitting a vehicle into personal budgets and busy lifestyles.
For the first time, the practical Ranger XLS 4×2 introduces access to the 5-Star Care Package, allowing buyers to select between long-term maintenance coverage, a PhP 50,000 cash discount, or a PhP 49,000 all-in downpayment.
Drivers drawn to the Ranger Sport 4×2 can opt for a PhP 59,000 all-in downpayment or zero percent interest financing. By providing multiple ownership paths, Ford aligns purchase incentive options directly with driver priorities, prioritizing lasting value throughout the lifetime of the vehicle.
Bringing the experience to dealerships and malls
The Truck Month celebration extends further with the Super September event, taking place from September 16 to 20 across nationwide dealerships and key shopping centers.
Customers who reserve any Ford vehicle during this five-day showcase receive an extra PhP 20,000 in cash savings on top of ongoing Truck Month offers.
Display venues including Virra Mall Greenhills, SM Southmall, SM Seaside Cebu, Robinsons Dumaguete, and SM City Sta. Rosa feature interactive showroom activities and refreshments, offering drivers an accessible way to explore their next vehicle companion.
BYD Cars Philippines has launched the BYD Cool & Fresh Combo aircon care promo, happening from September 9 to October 31, 2026.
Under the promo, customers who avail of the Vehicle Aircon Cleaning Package will receive a free cabin air filter and free CarTul Air & Surface Disinfecting Mist.
This gives BYD the time to introduce the new ancillary product as well, which comes in a three-steps cleaner package.
It kills bacteria and viruses, enhances airflow efficiency, and eliminates unpleasant odors. And that’s without having to remove the dashboard.
So owners who avail of the aircon cleaning package throughout the promo period will be able to try the product first hand, without having to spend for it.
For reference, the aircon cleaning package is priced at PhP 5,262.
The offer is available to all BYD vehicle owners who are due for their 1-Year Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) or have reached 20,000 kilometers on their odometer.
Automotive
ACMobility launches EV safety program to help drivers make the switch
The new “Drive Electric” curriculum covers everything from charging safety to actual EV ownership costs.
ACMobility, the Ayala Group’s mobility arm, launched its “Drive Electric. EV Safety Program,” and it’s aimed at pretty much anyone curious about EVs.
That means advocates, people thinking about buying one, fleet operators, and just regular folks who want to understand what they’re getting into.
The goal is straightforward: clear up the misconceptions around EVs by giving people practical, easy-to-follow information on how the technology and charging infrastructure actually work.
The program covers safety guidelines, the real costs of ownership, and how charging works, so people can decide for themselves if going electric makes sense for them.
At the launch, ACMobility CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala talked about the bigger picture, saying the company’s priority is to empower drivers to shift to a more sustainable and cost-effective transport option.
He framed the program as part of that commitment, aiming to give drivers practical tools and accessible technical knowledge on EVs.
Building the curriculum with actual experts
ACMobility didn’t build this alone. The program came together with professional instruction partners and close coordination with the Department of Energy, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine EV Community.
The curriculum runs five modules deep, and it tackles the questions people actually ask before buying an EV: what it really costs to own one long-term, how much you can save, how to charge safely, what to do in an emergency, and how the technology itself works.
What comes after the launch
ACMobility says this is just the start. The company plans to roll out educational seminars nationwide for drivers looking to make the switch, expanding into corporate sessions, community workshops, and showcases at bigger industry events.
Future sessions will pair the technical side with actual test drives, so people get hands-on time with EVs alongside the expert guidance.
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