Automotive
BYD’s high-end brand Denza launches in the Philippines
The debut starts with the Denza D9, a full-size MPV.
The BYD family in the Philippines just got bigger. After testing the waters and succeeding gracefully with the main brand, the Chinese automotive company is bringing in a new brand to the country: Denza.
Denza started off as a brand co-owned by both BYD and Mercedes-Benz (then known as Daimler). BYD’s meteoric success eventually led to Denza’s concurrent rise as well. Eventually, Mercedes-Benz relinquished all but 10 percent of the brand’s total shares to BYD in 2021. Then, in 2024, the German company withdrew entirely, leading to Denza being completely owned by BYD today.
The brand is known for delivering high-end PHEVs to several markets, which now includes the Philippines. The stint will start off with its ever-popular full-size MPV, the Denza D9.
Introducing the Denza D9
Prior to today’s launch, I already saw the Denza D9 plowing through the streets. The sizable MPV already made quite an impression, to say the least.
Up close, the Denza D9 has a bold front fascia, exuding modern elegance and sleek body lines.
Inside, the car prioritizes comfort for all passengers with luxurious captain seats. Those seats feature a ten-way electric adjustment six-way adjustable headrests, and leg rests. They also come with seat ventilation to get through an intensely sunny day. Finally, each seat comes its own LED panel for maximum control.
The DiSus system keeps the car balanced throughout any situation. The drive will remain comfortable even during high-speed cornering, full-throttle acceleration, and sudden braking. It will also come with nine airbags to keep all passengers protected.
Price, availability
The Denza D9 is available now in Cosmos Black, Arctic White, Whale Sea Blue, and Starry Sky Grey. It will cost PhP 4,298,000.
Additionally, the MPV will have an exclusive premiere price of PhP 3,998,000 for the first 300 customers.
News
Acer unveils Predator ES Thunder Pro e-Scooter
More power, longer range, better safety features
Acer continues to expand its e-scooter portfolio with the launch of the Predator ES Thunder Pro. It is the latest mobility offering from the brand after expanding to the category in 2023.
The all-new e-scooter enhances powertrain performance, enabling confident handling across a wide range of terrains.
It is designed both for everyday mobility and versatile terrain handling, making it well-suited for extended use and longer riding distances.
The most powerful model yet in the Predator e-scooter portfolio, it is equipped with a high-performance 500W rear-wheel-drive DC motor.
This has a peak output power of 1,600W, and a maximum torque of 32Nm. This way, the e-scooter delivers stronger, smoother power output during acceleration and hill-climbing.
In addition, the Predator ES Thunder Pro uses a Traction Control System (TCS) that adjusts power output in real time base on road conditions. This improves tire traction and overall stability on wet or low-grip surfaces.
The e-scooter comes with 10-inch tubeless pneumatic off-road tires and IPX6 water-resistance rating as well.
In front are daytime running lights while on the sides are RGB ambient lighting for better visibility.
In terms of range, the e-scooter can travel up to 70 kilometers on a single charge, effectively reducing charging frequency.
Furthermore, the e-scooter integrates dual-platform location tracking via Find My and Find Hub, paired with the Acer eMobility app with AI voice control.
Pricing, availability
The Acer Predator ES Thunder Pro will be available in Europe early next year, starting at EUR 799.
Automotive
Nissan’s New Kicks e-POWER skips the plug but still drives like an EV
It’s leaning harder into its e-POWER tech than ever!
Nissan Philippines has officially launched the next generation of the Kicks, and it comes with a design refresh, more driver-assistance features, and the same e-POWER setup that’s defined the nameplate since 2022.
The Kicks first landed in the Philippines four years ago, and this new version builds on that foundation rather than tossing it out.
Nissan’s kept the e-POWER system that made the original Kicks stand out in the subcompact SUV segment, then layered in updates across the interior, exterior, and safety suite.
Still e-POWER, still 100% electric motor-driven
The core of the Kicks hasn’t changed.
It still runs on Nissan’s e-POWER system, which pairs a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. The engine’s only job is generating electricity to charge the battery.
The motor is what actually drives the wheels, so you get a fully electric driving feel without needing to plug in anywhere. Nissan says the setup puts out 136 PS and 280 Nm of torque.
Inside, Nissan’s focused on making longer drives less tiring. The Zero Gravity seats aim to reduce fatigue, and there’s anti-heat leather upholstery for anyone who’s dealt with scorching seats in Metro Manila traffic.
Rear passengers get an optimized seatback angle and a rear armrest, while the driver’s seat is 6-way power-adjustable.
For tech, you’re looking at a 12.3-inch Display Audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus NissanConnect Services bundled in for three years.
Sharper exterior
The exterior picks up Nissan’s V-Motion grille with a new lighting signature and triple-arrow daytime running lights up front. At the back, the hexagon-shaped rear lamps carry over as part of Nissan’s design language. Nissan also says the headlights now throw wider and longer illumination for better visibility at night.
You’ll have four color options: Aquamarine Metallic, Gun Metallic, Pearl White, and Moon Pearl Gray. The top LE Plus variant gets an exclusive black roof and a new Moonstone interior, while the VE and VL stick with black interiors.
ProPILOT leads the safety features
The bigger addition here is Nissan ProPILOT, which handles steering, acceleration, and braking assistance together.
It includes Intelligent Lane Keep Assist to help center the vehicle in its lane and Intelligent Cruise Control to maintain speed and following distance.
There’s also Traffic Jam Assist, which can bring the car to a stop and resume driving on its own in stop-and-go traffic.
Beyond ProPILOT, Nissan’s packed in 12 more safety and driver-assistance features, including:
- Leading car departure notification
- Intelligent forward collision warning
- Intelligent forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Blind spot warning with blind spot intervention
- Lane departure warning with lane departure prevention
- Rear automatic emergency braking
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Intelligent around view monitor with moving object detection
- High beam assist
- Driver attention alert
Price, availability in the Philippines
The All-New Nissan Kicks e-POWER comes in three variants: VE, VL, and LE Plus.
Nissan’s running launch promos on all three until September 30, 2026, and customers who buy in during that window also get a complimentary one-year Nissan Protect+ package, which covers prepaid maintenance, genuine Nissan oil and parts, and servicing for the first year.
The Kicks joins the X-Trail e-POWER as part of Nissan Philippines’ growing electrified lineup, and it’s clear the brand is treating e-POWER as its main pitch for drivers who want an EV-like experience without changing how they refuel.
Automotive
Inchcape Philippines and Changan are parting ways
The two companies won’t renew their distribution deal, with the transition running through Q4 2026.
Inchcape Philippines and Changan have mutually agreed not to renew their distribution partnership in the country. The companies announced the decision, citing Changan’s own long-term plans for the Philippine market as the reason.
The partnership enters a transition period that runs through Q4 2026. During this time, existing customer commitments remain in place, including aftersales support, warranty coverage, parts, and service.
Alex Hammett, Inchcape’s Managing Director for South Asia & Pacific, said Inchcape Philippines and Changan have worked together since 2023 to build the Changan brand locally, supported by Inchcape’s distribution network and dealer relationships.
He thanked the Inchcape Philippines team and dealer partners for their role in that effort over the past three years.
Inchcape says the Philippines remains a key market for the company. It continues to distribute Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, trucks, and buses, along with Jaguar Land Rover, and operates the retail business for Harley-Davidson locally. The company’s stated focus going forward is growing its existing portfolio and introducing new products to Filipino customers.
The Philippines also houses Inchcape’s Digital Delivery Centre and Global Business Services teams, which together employ more than 700 people supporting the company’s global operations.
Further details on arrangements after the transition period, including Changan’s next distribution partner, have not yet been announced.
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