Automotive

A racing virgin’s experience at the Toyota Vios Racing Festival

Challenging, but something worth doing again

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I love driving. Whether it’s an out of town drive for hours or simply going for a short trip with the wife, one could always count me in for such activities. So when Toyota Motor Philippines extended an invite to their annual Vios Racing Festival, I didn’t think twice and submitted my name.

I thought, “I drive pretty well on the road so this shouldn’t be that challenging. How hard is it to avoid cones, anyway?”

Boy, was I wrong.

The Racing Festival

As a quick background, Toyota Motor Philippines has been organizing Vios motorsport events in the country for six years now. Called the Vios Cup, the circuit race celebrates the spirit of Waku-Doki (shortened from the Japanese phrase “Waku waku doki doki” which translates to a feeling of “heart-pumping excitement”) and features drivers from different backgrounds — celebrities, new Vios owners, and car club members are just some of the individuals invited at this special event.

The Autocross Challenge

This season, TMP has added the Autocross Challenge that runs alongside the main event. It’s a timed competition where participants race through an obstacle course and finish with the quickest lap time possible. Basically, the company presents it as an amateur-friendly way to get into the world of motorsport.

The Experience

Unlike the main event where participants spent months training for the circuit race, I and my fellow media participants only got one day of practice driving around the obstacles before the event. The cars were provided by Toyota — a souped-up Vios OMR fit for the track — complete with manual gearbox and loads of torque. We were also given tracksuits and helmets so apart from keeping me safe, I looked like a legitimate race car driver wearing those.

As the title states, I had no experience whatsoever in racing cars. After the briefing, I was basically given the suit and the car and thrown into the track to get a feel for how to make the fastest lap time possible.

So I got in the car, drove up to the starting line, lodged the transmission to the first gear, and gave the engine a full rev. As soon as I was given the go signal Fast-and-Furious-style, I was off — complete with tires screeching.

The obstacle consisted of multiple chicanes and we needed to slalom our way past them. To make things more interesting, there were sharp u-turns and a 540-degree turn at one point and it was where I spun out since I made the mistake of applying brakes while making the turn. It felt like I was in a movie, though, like Ansel Elgort in Baby Driver.

After finishing the first lap, I made mental notes of how I can improve my time for the next practice run. The problem here wasn’t how to avoid obstacles. It’s how to avoid obstacles with speed to be able to finish with the quickest time.

Good thing there were seasoned racers with us and they were able to give me some tips. One could say that taking on the Autocross challenge is similar to dancing — you have to know exactly when to shift, when to brake, and when to turn. These are key elements that I needed to keep in mind, pretty much like memorizing dance steps. I did better time during my second attempt and that concluded our practice day.

Then came the race day itself. After breakfast, I was just in my hotel room sitting down and pretending to drive while thinking about the track. I saw the racing movie Rush a few years back and that’s where I got the idea of imagining yourself on the track, taking on the obstacles and practicing gear shifting at the right moment.

After the opening ceremonies and the main event kicking off, it was our time to compete. To cut some of the details, I finished with a time of 1:01 with the top 10 finalists finishing at 0:58. Considering it was my first time doing something like that, I was pretty happy and satisfied with my performance.

End of Day Thoughts

As someone who’s always into trying out new things, participating in an Autocross Challenge was definitely one for the books. It’s a great initiative from Toyota Philippines to continuously hold events like this to keep the spirit of motorsport alive in the country.

The racing festival itself, even if you’re not a participant, was a really enjoyable event even for the entire family. It’s also worth recognizing TMP’s efforts to bring new blood into the sport every year as it’s not exclusive to Vios owners only. In fact, they’re also opening the Autocross Challenge for the public through their social media pages.

So if you want to get into the adrenaline-pumping world of racing, head to their official pages and see how you can be part of the next Toyota Vios Racing Festival.

If you’re still reading up to this point, it just means you’re one interested fellow and you might want to check out the event next year when it makes a comeback.

You’ll enjoy it. I know I did!

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VinFast updates battery subscription policy for large upfront savings

Up to 20% upfront savings with a battery subscription model

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January 29, 2026

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VinFast has updated its battery subscription policy for the Philippine market, offering consumers up to 20% savings in upfront costs.

In addition to the traditional vehicle purchase with battery included, customers can own a VinFast EV under a battery subscription model.

This option offers a more attractive initial investment, with upfront costs reduced by up to 20% — depending on the model.

Battery subscription fees are applied flexibly, starting from PhP 1,600 per month, based on actual distance.

For instance, the VinFast VF3 can be purchased at PhP 590,000 under the battery subscription model rather than PhP 745,000. The monthly subscription fee then starts at PhP 1,600.

Meanwhile, for the VF6 and above variants, the monthly costs start at PhP 2,350. Customers can also save more than PhP 1.5 million on the VF 9 Plus.

Flexible financial tool

Positioned as a “lifetime battery warranty” solution, the battery subscription policy is a flexible financial tool that optimizes cash flow. It is likewise a long-term commitment to consumers.

VinFast assumes full responsibility for battery performance throughout the subscription period. This includes maintenance, repairs, and free replacement when battery capacity drops below 70 percent.

In the event of battery damage caused by an accident, VinFast will handle the issue under the battery subscription policy. This helps minimize financial risks for customers.

The pioneering policy reinforces VinFast’s customer-centric commitment, advancing green mobility in the market.

Meanwhile, customers who opt for the traditional vehicle purchase with battery included, VinFast can still offer comprehensive aftersales benefits. This includes a battery warranty of up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometers.

The dual approach allows interested consumers to be in control of the ownership model that best suits their needs and personal financial capabilities.

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Automotive

BYD expands PH presence with entry of DENZA luxury EVs

4 initial showrooms planned

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January 20, 2026

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BYD Group premium sub-brand DENZA is officially entering the Philippine market.

The move marks a strategic shift to capture the luxury “new energy vehicle” (NEV) segment, beyond the company’s existing mass-market offerings.

This expansion follows a period of rapid growth for BYD in the Philippines under its distributor, ACMobility.

By introducing DENZA, the group aims to offer a tiered ecosystem of electrified transport that ranges from budget-friendly options to high-output luxury ones.

The sub-brand’s initial lineup could possibly include the high-end MPV, DENZA D9.

It features a triple-motor system and high-capacity batteries that provide significant electric-only range before the gasoline generator engages.

Potentially, SUVs DENZA B5 and DENZA B8 will also be introduced locally, positioned as plug-in hybrid EVs.

Offerings under the DENZA sub-brand will be distributed locally by BYD Philippines Corp.

Advanced technology, comfort

DENZA’s entry focuses on “passenger-centric engineering” rather than traditional luxury excess.

The vehicles will feature two of BYD’s flagship technologies: the DiSus system and e3 platform.

The first is an intelligent body control system that manages vehicle motion to balance executive-level ride comfort with sharp handling.

Meanwhile, the e3 Platform is a high-performance architecture utilizing a three-motor drivetrain.

This setup lets drivers pull off advanced maneuvers such as “crab-walking” and “compass turns,” while enhancing stability during high-speed travel or emergency situations.

Strategic presence

DENZA will establish a dedicated retail network separate from standard BYD showrooms to support its positioning.

The sub-brand is planning four initial locations in Makati, Greenhills, Alabang, and Cebu.

Once it officially rolls out, DENZA expects to compete against luxury vans like the Toyota Alphard and Lexus LM.

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Automotive

Ford Philippines kicks off the year with Drive Now, Pay Later

Get offers up to three months of free amortization!

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January 8, 2026

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Ford Philippines opens the year with a strong push for drivers ready to start fresh. Introducing Drive Now, Pay Later, the program is designed to make stepping into a new Ford feel lighter and more timely.

At the center of the offer are two of Ford’s most in-demand nameplates. Customers can take home the Ford Everest Trend today with three months of free amortization.

Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger lineup brings even more flexibility. The Ranger Wildtrak 4×2 comes with four months of free amortization, and the Ranger Sport 4×4 is offered with three months free.

These offers allow buyers to drive their new vehicle now and begin bank financing only after several months. This eases the transition into ownership at the start of the year.

More ways to save this January

Beyond deferred payments, Ford Philippines is extending a wide range of January offers that focus on value and flexibility.

The Ford Everest comes with cash savings of up to PhP 95,000 this month, alongside an all-in option priced at PhP 69,000 on select variants for customers seeking simpler entry costs.

Across the Ranger lineup, buyers can enjoy cash discounts reaching up to PhP 155,000 or opt for a PhP 69,000 all-in down payment on select variants.

The Ranger XLS AT remains one of the most accessible ways to enter the lineup, with a starting price of PhP 1,379,000.

Performance-focused customers can also take advantage of extended January offers for the Ford Raptor. Options include cash discounts or bundled savings with the 5-Star Care Package, depending on the variant.

Electrified and premium options

For drivers ready to explore electrified mobility, the Territory Hybrid Trend starts at PhP 1,399,000. This January, customers may choose between a PhP 20,000 discount or a complimentary three-year Scheduled Service Plan.

Ford’s larger SUVs are also part of the month’s offerings. The Ford Explorer is available with a PhP 99,000 all-in option or 0 percent interest with 20% down payment for 60 months. The Ford Bronco carries the same flexible choices, too.

Availability

The Drive Now, Pay Later program runs across all Ford dealerships nationwide until January 31, 2026. Customers can visit Ford Philippines’ official website or social media channels to explore the full details.

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