Automotive

Meet the luxury SUV powered by Huawei’s technology

The AITO M9 blends luxury, innovation, and smart technology, together with Huawei.

Published

April 11, 2025

MJ Jucutan

As I walked through the bustling halls of MIAS 2025, the AITO M9 pulled me in.

Amid the noise, flashing lights, and constant foot traffic, it stood there like a tech-powered sculpture. Commanding, refined, and unapologetically premium.

AITO — short for “Adding Intelligence to Auto” — enters the Philippine stage with a flagship vehicle boldly redefining what we should expect from modern luxury cars.

Bold, refined

The AITO M9’s design is what first hooks you. It’s the kind of vehicle that demands a second glance (maybe even a third).

Its streamlined, two-tone body evokes a sense of dynamic motion.

Its sculpted front end, flanked by galaxy-inspired LED headlights, gives off a futuristic yet elegant presence.

The 19-inch wheels and body proportions (5,230mm long with a generous 3,110mm wheelbase) make it look grounded and substantial.

You get the sense that every detail — from the grille to the tail — is telling a story of thoughtful craftsmanship.

First-class lounge?

Stepping inside the AITO M9 felt like sneaking into a private first-class cabin.

The two-tone leather seats were buttery soft and visually striking, matched by elegant touches like ash wood trim and crystal knobs.

Everything about the cabin screamed polished, from the spacious layout to the panoramic sunroof that brings the outdoors in.

At the center of it all was a 12.3-inch digital display that looked ready to anchor a cockpit-style user experience.

I didn’t get to play with the interface just yet, but it already feels like a place where luxury meets next-gen intelligence.

And for a tech lover like me, the most exciting part is the Huawei ecosystem integration.

Imagine hopping into your car and seamlessly connecting with your Huawei phone, tablet, or smart devices.

It’s a simple but powerful idea of bringing the digital life you already live into your driving experience.

Intelligence meets safety

What sets the AITO M9 apart from other luxury SUVs is how deeply it integrates smart technology. It’s practically a digital co-pilot, more than a connected car.

AITO’s intelligent cockpit links the instrument cluster, central display, and even the passenger screen. This makes the driving experience more collaborative, immersive, and intuitive.

Beyond aesthetics and performance, the M9 is a tank in disguise, earning a record-breaking 93.9% rating in the China NCAP crash tests.

It’s complete with 9 airbags and 20 advanced safety features from front to side to rear protection.

It’s built not just to move you, but to protect you.

Consider me intrigued

While I didn’t get behind the wheel, the AITO M9’s specs are undeniably compelling.

Underneath, it runs on a Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) platform, delivering over 1,200 km of total driving range.

Its 52 kWh battery alone gives you 200 km of electric-only travel. And when you need a boost, the fuel-powered generator refuels in just five minutes, acting like a high-efficiency power bank to keep your journey going.

Even without a test drive, it already feels like the AITO M9 is playing in a different league.

Bold in design. Rich in luxury. Clever in technology.

This may have been a first look, but one thing’s for sure: I’m intrigued.

Related Topics:AITO AITO M9 Huawei Huawei AITO M9

Automotive

BYD’s high-end brand Denza launches in the Philippines

The debut starts with the Denza D9, a full-size MPV.

Published

February 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

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.

Automotive

VinFast updates battery subscription policy for large upfront savings

Up to 20% upfront savings with a battery subscription model

Published

January 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

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.

Automotive

BYD expands PH presence with entry of DENZA luxury EVs

4 initial showrooms planned

Published

January 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

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.