Automotive

VinFast EVs to enter Philippine market

The Philippines gets another EV player

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The Philippines will soon have another player in the electric vehicle category. VinFast, a Vietnamese EV company backed by parent Vingroup, is set to enter the Philippine market. The manufacturer already has presence in Canada, Indonesia, and the United States. Expanding to another Southeast Asian neighbor would mean boosting its global footprint further.

Making the move much easier is Vingroup, VinFast’s highly capable backer which draws most of its revenue from real estate and EVs. In 2023, those products and services accounted for US$ 6.5 billion of Vingroup’s revenue, combined. Moreover, VinFast recently received a US$ 1 billion pledge from Vingroup founder Pham Nhat Vuong.

Some of VinFast’s existing offerings in the United States include the VF8 and VF9, which are both electric SUVs. Soon, it will be releasing the VF6 and VF7, which look like upgrades of the two SUVs, respectively.

Comprehensive technological ecosystem

Thanks to Vingroup, VinFast benefits not only from financial support but a comprehensive technological ecosystem that can be felt by owners of their EV offerings.

The ecosystem includes VinBigData, which delivers products like the ViVi voice assistant and an AI camera. In partnership with VinAI, VinFast also introduced VinFast MirrorSense, a CES 2024 Innovation Award winner.

The MirrorSense feature is the world’s first AI-driven automatic mirror adjustment technology. Using various sensors, it detects the driver’s head and eye position automatically, adjusting accordingly for safety and convenience. It also incorporates facial recognition.

Other components of the ecosystem include VinCSS for cybersecurity, VinHMS for tech products, and VinBrain for AI solutions. VinFast is also in the process of developing more advanced features for its upcoming vehicles as part of in-house collaborations with its parent company, all of which are armed at making the company’s EVs the future of mobility.

Once VinFast successfully makes its Philippine debut, it will be challenging the likes of Jetour, BYD, MG, Kia, and Nissan.

Automotive

Kia unveils the EV5

A more formal launch is scheduled early next year.

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Earlier this year, we named the Kia EV9 as one of the most luxurious vehicles we’ve tried so far. Besides the raw power inside, the car’s interior was a spectacle for the tech-savvy. Today, Kia Philippines is expanding its now-iconic lineup with a smaller version of its behemoth. Presenting: the Kia EV5.

At the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, Kia Philippines unleashed the EV5. Compared to the gigantic capabilities of the EV9, the EV5 is a five-seater SUV that leverages all the technological capabilities of its all-electric motor.

Under the hood, the car can put out a capable 217 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque. Impressively, the 88.1kWh battery can reportedly last up to 550 kilometers on a single charge.

As expected, the Kia EV5 will feature the brand’s impressive array of tech-filled capabilities. This includes Kia’s ADAS features called DriveWise. It also has, we can assume, a lot of convenience features that straddle the edge of luxury.

Now, we say “assume” because the car hasn’t technically launched yet. Kia Philippines has confirmed that a more formal launch will happen in the first quarter of 2026. This launch will reveal the final price and available features coming to the Philippines.

In the meantime, interested buyers can get a first look at the Kia EV5 during the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit happening until October 25.

SEE ALSO: Starting the newly engaged life with the Kia EV9

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Automotive

BYD eMAX 9 DM-i leads the future of luxury family travel

Sophistication and smart performance in a seven-seater MPV

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The BYD eMAX 9 DM-i is a mid-size MPV built to move modern families toward an electrified future.

Unveiled at the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, the new flagship MPV from BYD seats seven and runs on the brand’s Super DM-i hybrid system.

The BYD eMax 9 DM-i brings together power and efficiency in one refined form.

Luxury that travels with you

From the outside, the eMAX 9 DM-i stands tall and confident.

It wears BYD’s Dragon Face design with bold lines, signature LED lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels that give every drive a commanding presence.

Inside, the cabin feels like a private retreat. Hands-free side doors and a powered tailgate make entry effortless, while a built-in refrigerator keeps drinks cool for long drives.

Both the Premium and Advanced variants feature a Tri-Zone Cooling System that allows each passenger to set their preferred temperature.

The Premium model adds massage and ventilation to the captain’s chairs. Plus, plush leather seats and a 15.6-inch infotainment display complete the experience.

Power and efficiency

At its core, the eMAX 9 DM-i runs on BYD’s Super DM-i technology, which combines a high-power electric motor with a 1.5-liter turbocharged generator.

Together, they produce 271 PS and 315 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds.

The Premium variant comes with a 36.6 kWh battery that delivers up to 170 kilometers of pure-electric driving. Meanwhile, the Advanced model provides 95 kilometers.

With both electric and fuel power combined, the eMAX 9 can travel up to 1,000 kilometers on a single charge and a full tank.

Charging is simple and flexible. AC charging takes around 3 to 5 hours depending on the variant. Meanwhile, DC fast charging brings the battery from 30% to 80% in under 20 minutes.

The eMAX 9 can also share its power through Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, which allows users to plug in small appliances or camping equipment directly into the vehicle.

Safety that gives confidence

The eMAX 9 DM-i is designed to protect every passenger.

The Premium variant features BYD’s DiSus-C suspension system, which automatically adjusts to different road conditions for a smoother and more stable ride.

Its DiPilot driver assistance suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.

Eight airbags, a 360-degree camera, and rear cross-traffic alerts provide added peace of mind for every trip.

Price, availability

With prices starting at PhP 2,678,000 for the Advanced variant and PhP 2,998,000 for the Premium, the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i is a refined statement of sustainable luxury. It is available in Cosmos Black, Deep Sea Blue, and Aurora White.

Every purchase is backed by BYD’s comprehensive warranty: eight years or 160,000 kilometers for the Blade Battery and drive unit, and six years or 150,000 kilometers for the vehicle itself.

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Automotive

HONOR, BYD team up for AI-powered smart mobility

HONOR connectivity tech plus BYD’s DiLink ecosystem

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HONOR has announced a strategic partnership with new-energy vehicle manufacturer BYD. The collaboration merges HONOR’s smart connectivity solutions with BYD’s next-generation DiLink system. This aims to create intelligent, AI-powered mobility experiences for everyday drivers.

The agreement was formalized in Shenzhen, witnessed by HONOR CEO James Li and BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu.

A new phase in intelligent mobility

This partnership expands on years of cooperation between the two tech leaders. Their collaboration will now move across three key fronts:

  • Core technology and features: Joint innovation in cross-device ecosystem integration, AI agent functions, and high-precision Bluetooth-based digital keys.
  • Channel ecosystem and user benefits: A shared model that connects HONOR’s vehicle tech with BYD’s ecosystem for smoother cross-platform experiences.
  • Joint communication and engagement: Coordinated marketing efforts and shared launch milestones to engage users more directly.

Building on a strong foundation

HONOR and BYD’s partnership began in 2023 with smartphone NFC car keys. This allowed BYD drivers to unlock vehicles using HONOR devices. In 2024, they expanded to in-car fast charging. This year, Denza became the first brand to integrate HONOR Car Connect, paving the way for other BYD models to adopt the system for seamless phone-to-car connectivity.

Driving the AI era

Both companies aim to push the boundaries of AI-driven mobility, with upcoming projects centered on digital keys, deeper phone-to-car integration, and smarter safety features.

The collaboration will also take center stage at the 2025 HONOR Global Developers Conference and AI Device Ecosystem Conference on October 23, where HONOR will showcase the HONOR AI Connect platform and its role in building human-centric, scenario-based AI solutions.

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