Automotive

2020 Mercedes CLA-Class officially debuts at CES 2019

Comes with a sportier look and advanced tech

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Taking a quick break from the latest smartphones and laptops, let’s look at the automotive side of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

German brand Mercedes-Benz has finally introduced the new CLA-Class. The update to the 2013 model is now bigger with more character on the outside and new features on the inside.

Watch the cinematic trailer here:

This 4-door coupe looks sporty with its wide bonnet and stylish flowing lines on its body. The new model is also two inches longer and wider than its predecessor resulting in a more spacious cabin. There are standard 18-inch wheels, but fitting on a pair of optional 19-inch rims will make for a more commanding stance while on the road.

Inside, the wide panel is comprised of two seven-inch displays for the instrumentation and its infotainment system. Want them bigger? Customers can opt to upsize them to dual 10.25-inch screens.

The system boasts the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The company said it has an improved voice control assistant and can be activated by simply saying, “Hey Mercedes,” and is reported to be able to reply to complicated questions.

To further show off their new tech, it has Interior Assistant which is a gesture-control system for turning on certain lights, for example, and eliminates the need to push buttons.

Here, check out the company’s teaser on its gesture-control system:

Lights on with a simple hand move. The Interior Assistant in the new CLA.

Posted by Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Under the hood, a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine runs the show with 221 horses and 258Nm of torque. Its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission delivers power to the front wheels, although there is an all-wheel-drive variant as another option.

There’s no news for the pricing, but it’s expected to hit US dealerships towards the end of the year.

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.

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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.

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Automotive

BYD aircon care promo: Cleaning package to come with freebies

Stay cool all year

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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.

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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.

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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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