Automotive

Ford EcoSport: Perfect first car in the new normal

Quality design, rugged capability, and safety features

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The pandemic has definitely changed the world, including mobility. People are now looking for ways to stay safe and protected while moving from one place to another, and that includes choosing a suitable vehicle like an SUV which has become a more popular choice for Filipinos over the years.

The SUV market in the Philippines continues to grow at a rapid pace, thanks to Filipinos’ increasing preference for a vehicle that is safe, versatile, and offers value for money. In the midst of a health crisis, many first-time car buyers are looking for a vehicle that will give their money’s worth, making SUVs a good and practical choice because of capability, features, and driving performance.

The Ford EcoSport is one of the SUVs that has become a familiar sight on city streets because of its appeal to many Filipino drivers and passengers alike. The Ford EcoSport Trend, for instance, combines quality design, rugged capability, safety features, and great value for money into a vehicle that offers a comfortable driving experience, making it an ideal first vehicle for young professionals and value-seeking starting families.

Here are five (5) features on the Ford EcoSport Trend that make it the perfect partner for first-time car owners looking at SUVs as their first vehicle.

Height

Featuring a 209mm ground clearance, the Ford EcoSport can not only traverse through flooded city streets but is able to handle potholes and rocks without scraping its bottom.

Beyond offering better on-road dynamics than a traditional sedan, the EcoSport’s height advantage also gives drivers a better view of the road ahead.

Space

If you happen to be someone who brings a lot of things when going out, a compact SUV might just be the perfect partner for you.

Drivers can enjoy its 9-inch color touchscreen, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and two (2) 12V accessory power outlets for comfort and connectivity while on the road.

The Ford EcoSport offers more than enough space in its cabin and cargo, as its storage area is bigger than what is typically available in the trunk of a regular car.

Additionally, the Ford EcoSport has more than twenty storage compartments inside, giving users the space they need for coffee cups, smartphones, tables, umbrellas, and a lot more.

Technology

Unlike many sedans, the Ford EcoSport comes packed with a selection of technologies to enhance the driving experience.

Drivers can enjoy its 9-inch color touchscreen, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and two (2) 12V accessory power outlets for comfort and connectivity while on the road.

Safety

Safety is also assured in a Ford EcoSport SUV as it comes equipped with electric power-assisted steering, anti-lock braking system, hill start assist, traction control system, and electronic stability control. The rear view camera and rear park assist are both helpful in parking.

Affordability

The Ford EcoSport Trend is now available at a starting price of P799,000 or P23,000 all-in low downpayment. With the new starting price, the EcoSport is now one of the best value-for-money SUVs in the market today, as well as a better option for customers looking for a sedan because of its new price point.

To know more about the Ford EcoSport, visit www.ford.com.ph/suvs/ecosport or a Ford dealership nearest you.


This is a press release from Ford Philippines.

Automotive

The Changan Eado Plus officially lands in the Philippines

Its aggressive launch pricing challenges the compact sedan status quo.

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Inchcape Philippines is officially shaking up the compact sedan segment.

The Changan Eado Plus has arrived on local shores, and it’s gunning for the top spot in your driveway.

Available in two trims — Luxe and Lite — the Eado Plus offers the Filipino driver a car that looks like a million bucks without the massive price tag.

Modern aesthetic inside and out

On the outside, the Eado Plus makes a bold statement with its prominent three-dimensional grille and streamlined body lines.

This polished, premium look relies on LED lighting to command a strong presence on the road. Inside, a meticulously curated cabin handles the daily grind with ease.

The Luxe variant carries a massive 10-inch touchscreen equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, the Lite variant keeps you connected with a 7-inch display.

To beat the local climate, Changan included a PM2.5 air filter to keep the cabin air clean, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that puts all your vital driving data front and center.

Performance and safety without compromise

Under the hood, a 1.5L Bluecore gasoline engine powers both variants. This engine works with a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission (WDCT) to deliver a stable, responsive ride.

For those who want more control, the Luxe variant offers selectable Eco and Normal driving modes to match your mood or the traffic conditions.

Safety remains a top priority, as the Eado Plus houses a comprehensive suite of protection. Beyond the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the car packs in practical features like rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX tethers for families.

Pricing, availability

To celebrate the launch, Changan offers the Eado Plus with aggressive introductory pricing through April 30, 2026.

During this period, the 1.5 Luxe DCT costs only PhP 749,999, while the 1.5 Lite DCT goes for just PhP 699,000. These rates offer a significant discount from the standard prices of PhP 799,999 and PhP 750,000, respectively.

Drivers can choose from four colors: White, Black, Andean Gray, and Titanium Silver Gray (via special order).

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Automotive

How the Ford Ranger is powering community resilience

Through machine and technology, Ford Philanthropy is helping Gawad Kalinga bridge the gap for remote communities.

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Strong communities aren’t just built with bricks and mortar. They are sustained by the hands that reach out and the wheels that get them there.

For Gawad Kalinga (GK), reaching the most isolated provinces in the Philippines is often the biggest hurdle to delivering hope.

To bridge this gap, Ford Philanthropy and Ford Philippines recently handed over the keys to a brand-new Ford Ranger Sport 4×4.

During the launch of the “Ford Building Together” initiative at the GK Headquarters in Mandaluyong, the Ranger was introduced as a vital partner for GK’s nationwide relief operations.

The Ranger provides the performance and off-road capability needed when every second counts.

More than a mission

“Strong communities are built through strong partnerships,” said Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy.

Alongside Pedro Simoes, Managing Director of Ford Philippines, Culler highlighted how this initiative unites dealers, employees, and owners.

It’s a collective effort to scale the heart of what Ford does: moving people forward.

Through Operation Walang Iwanan, Ford has already equipped disaster response hubs across six regions with essential tech: from Starlink mini-satellites and EcoFlow solar power to water filtration systems.

Between 2024 and 2025, these tools supported over 11,500 individuals through fires and natural disasters.

Investing in the everyday

The impact stretches into the daily moments of community life. Since 2015, Ford’s partnership with GK has reached 15,000 patients through medical missions. They also trained 1,100 health champions.

Through the Kusina ng Kalinga program, children receive the nutrition they need to stay focused in school. Meanwhile, the new READ program provides 12 weeks of literacy support for students in Caloocan.

Even food security is getting a tech-driven boost. Ford has renewed its collaboration with Scholars of Sustenance Philippines, using mobility to rescue surplus food. It is then redistributed to families experiencing hunger in Nueva Vizcaya.

In the end, technology lives inside these real moments. By combining grassroots action with reliable mobility, Ford and Gawad Kalinga are ensuring that no community is ever truly out of reach.

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Automotive

VinFast extends free unlimited charging in 3 markets amid rising fuel prices

Customers in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines to enjoy 3 years of free unlimited charging

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VinFast has announced the extension of its free unlimited charging program in three key Asian markets: India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Customers purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) in these countries (or currently own a VinFast EV) can enjoy the zero-fuel-cost advantage for three years, or until March 31, 2029.

This is amid the rising fuel costs in these countries, primarily due to the U.S./Israel-Iran war. Under the new policy, customers can charge for free at authorized V-Green charging stations.

By removing one of the largest operating costs of driving, VinFast aims to help motorists experience the economic advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) while supporting the countries’ transitions toward more sustainable mobility.

The program will be extended broadly to all customers, including both existing owners and future buyers. It will cover both private customers as well as those using their vehicles for transportation services, like the Green GSM EV taxi service network.

Alongside the free charging policy, the charging network developed and operated by V-Green is continuously expanding across the markets where VinFast operates.

This expansion helps create favorable conditions for consumers to confidently transition to greener and more sustainable transportation.

In addition to the free charging incentive, VinFast is already implementing multiple policies to promote the green transition in key Asian markets.

These include a battery subscription program that lowers upfront investment cost, a resale value guarantee policy, flexible payment options, and market-leading warranty coverage.

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