Automotive

What’s it like to have a Next-Gen mind and body?

Get ready to be Ranger fit!

Published

October 7, 2023

MJ Jucutan

“Are you ready to get Ranger fit?”

Of course, that question posed to us by Ford Philippines made us wonder if we’re going to do a local version of Netflix’s Physical: 100.

It was a rainy weekend when I was invited by Ford Philippines, together with Ford customers and Ford club members to participate in a unique event of Ford & Fitness.

Held in the Ford Alabang dealership, Ford & Fitness is a part of a series of events in celebration of Ford Truck Month, designed to empower Ford Ranger owners to pursue various lifestyles and interests with their trucks.

The event had close to 50 participants, mostly from the Next-Generation Ranger Philippines Club. Along with my friends, we took part in the event not knowing what was waiting.

We seriously thought we’d team up and pull the Ford Ranger. That, or we’ll test which one is stronger: A bunch of people or the Next-Gen pick-up truck? Luckily, it wasn’t any of those.

One-of-a-kind workout

Coach Jose Villablance, founder and CEO of wellness company Holifit, designed a unique workout using the Pick-up Truck as the only equipment. Dubbed the “Pick-up Truck Workout”, we did a quick, full-body circuit workout around the Next-Gen Ranger Sport.

Exercises included incline push-ups in the backseat, step-ups, and side lunges using the rear box and sidestep boards, toe touches using the tires, and reverse crunches on the Ranger truck bed.

While the workouts are pretty basic for someone who does extreme sports (like yours truly), the activity still showcased the strengths needed when you have a vehicle like the Next-Gen Ranger. Climbing, stepping, pushing — basically using your whole body is a must when riding or driving the vehicle.

You don’t have to be extremely fit, though. You just need to have the strength to be capable of doing anything while owning the truck.

Getting mentally prepared

Being mentally prepared is what every driver needs before stepping into their vehicle and going out for a drive. With fitness being a holistic pursuit, the event was also graced by Coach Cam Lagmay, a certified fitness and mindset coach.

The session tackled being mentally prepared for challenges, whether it’s physical or mental, in line with pursuing goals for fitness and beyond.

We were asked to meditate and recall our habits when we first woke up in the morning and pushed us to take a look within and check what we’d like to change moving forward.

I, of course, have been guilty of pressing my snooze button when the alarm rings. I realized right then that having a Ranger mind and body means being excited to get through the day because you have a versatile vehicle that can accompany you wherever you go.

The talk ended with a meditation session to remind us to take a pause and reset, so we can conquer day-to-day challenges.

Maintaining your mind and body

Just like how we try to maintain our mind and body through the activities that keep us sane, it’s also equally important to maintain the optimal performance of your vehicles.

Ivy Pelimiano, Ford Alabang Dealer Customer Relations Center Manager, reminded everyone to adhere to a regular preventive maintenance schedule (PMS) to ensure that our Ford vehicles are always fighting fit, just like us.

The Ford & Fitness event is one of the various activities of Ford Philippines to engage with the growing community of Ford owners and club members.

Automotive

BYD Atto 2 launches with EV, plug-in hybrid options

A full EV variant and two DM-i hybrid options, all built around the same Blade Battery platform

Published

July 29, 2026

MJ Jucutan

BYD Cars Philippines just launched the Atto 2 at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City. It’s the newest addition to the brand’s New Energy Vehicle lineup here.

You get a choice between a full battery electric vehicle and BYD’s Super DM-i plug-in hybrid system. The DM-i splits further into Premium and Dynamic variants.

On range, the EV variant is rated for up to 380 km on a full charge. The DM-i variants run up to 45 km on electric power alone. Combined range goes up to 1,340 km, based on an efficiency run BYD Cars Philippines conducted with the Automobile Association of the Philippines.

BYD notes those combined-range numbers aren’t guaranteed. They’ll shift depending on driving habits, traffic, road and weather conditions, vehicle load, and battery condition.

Every Atto 2 variant runs on BYD’s Blade Battery. It’s the same platform the brand leans on for durability and thermal stability across its lineup.

All three variants share the same core safety features and SUV styling. The DM-i Premium stands out as the only variant with DiPilot ADAS on board, alongside a fuller set of comfort and convenience features.

Tech-wise, the EV gets a 12.8-inch touchscreen. The DM-i models come with a 10.1-inch display. Both support smartphone connectivity.

The EV variant also gets Vehicle-to-Load capability. It lets you plug appliances or equipment directly into the car and use it as a power source, whether that’s for a road trip, a weekend outdoors, or backup power when you need it.

Price, availability

From July 28 to August 31, 2026, all Atto 2 variants come with launch offers and financing promos through BPI. Once that period ends, official pricing starting September 1 looks like this:

BYD Atto 2 EV: PhP 1,338,000
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Premium: PhP 1,258,000
BYD Atto 2 DM-i Dynamic: PhP 1,048,000

Every unit comes with an 8-year warranty on the Drive Unit, a 6-year or 160,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty, and an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty on the Blade Battery.

Color options include Breeze Green, exclusive to the EV; Cosmos Black, exclusive to the DM-i; along with Harbour Grey, Midnight Blue, and Ski White across the lineup.

The Atto 2 launch also kicks off the BYD Tech Tour, running at the Trinoma Activity Center from July 28 to August 2.

Automotive

BYD adds the facelifted Seal 5 DM-i to its hybrid sedan lineup

More electric range, more everyday practicality, same Blade Battery backbone

Published

July 29, 2026

MJ Jucutan

BYD Cars Philippines is growing its electrified sedan family with the facelifted Seal 5 DM-i, now available in Essential and Dynamic variants.

It follows up on the original Seal 5’s 2024 launch, and this time BYD is leaning on its 5th generation Super DM-i tech to make plug-in hybrid ownership more approachable for everyday buyers, not just early adopters.

The variants are built around two different Blade Battery sizes. The Essential runs a 7.42 kWh battery good for up to 55 km of electric-only range, while the Dynamic steps up to an 18.3 kWh battery for up to 115 km.

In both cases, the idea is that most daily commutes can run entirely on electric power, with the hybrid system kicking in once you go beyond that.

BYD also ran a combined-range efficiency test with the Automobile Association Philippines and came away with a figure of up to 2,181 km.

That’s BYD’s number from a controlled test, so treat it as a ceiling rather than what you’ll see day to day. Real-world range depends on how you drive, traffic, road conditions, and how loaded the car is.

Inside, the cabin gets an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus automatic climate control with rear vents and several USB ports.

Trunk space sits at 522 liters, and that opens up to 1,295 liters with the rear seats folded down, which should cover most errand runs or small business hauls.

On safety, the Seal 5 DM-i comes with cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Hold Control, Automatic Vehicle Hold, and multiple airbags.

Price, availability

Introductory pricing runs from July 28 to August 31, 2026. After that, official SRP lands at PhP 948,000 for the Essential and PhP 1,048,000 for the Dynamic.

Both variants carry an 8-year Drive Unit warranty, a 6-year or 160,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty, and 8 years or 160,000 km of coverage on the Blade Battery.

Color options are Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey, and Harbour Grey. BPI is also offering financing for individual buyers and businesses looking to bring hybrid or electric vehicles into their fleets.

The Seal 5 DM-i launch opens the BYD Tech Tour, running at the Trinoma Activity Center from July 28 to August 2.

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum

A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof

Published

July 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140^th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140^th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.

Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.

Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.

Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.