Zigwheels PH Wrapup: Local vehicle launches in H1 2025

MANILA: The first half of 2025 was indeed an eventful one for the local automotive scene: vehicle reveals one after the other, which kept us on our toes all throughout the first six months.

 The launches were a rich mix of internal combustion engine-powered and new energy vehicles — proving that the country’s automotive industry is steadily progressing.

With that, here are the vehicle reveals conducted in the Philippines during the opening half of the year.

BYD Seal Advanced trim, updated Atto 3

For the opening month of 2025, BYD Cars Philippines started hot with the addition of the Seal Advanced trim and the updated Atto 3.

The BYD Seal Advanced is the nameplate’s entry-level trim while the refreshed full-electric crossover comes with black exterior appointments, wider tires, and a larger infotainment system.

Refreshed Audi Q7, Q8

A few days after, PGA Cars released the latest iterations of the Audi Q7 and Q8 full-sized sport utility vehicles (SUV). These offerings boast similar mill configurations, elegant design cues, and an extensive list of features.

Both models are propelled by a 3.0-liter turbocharged TFSI V6 gasoline mill mated to an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox. They are also fitted with a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and the electronically-controlled air suspension system with adaptive damping.

Check out the launch story article, here.

Mini Aceman EV, new Cooper

Right after the holidays, Mini Philippines introduced the all-new Aceman and the updated Cooper.

The two models from Europe revealed in February are now being offered alongside the Mini Countryman.

You can learn more about them, via the links below:

• All-new Aceman
• New Cooper

Omoda E5, C5 and Jaecoo EJ6

A few days after Omoda and Jaecoo have finally made their official Philippine debut (after announcing their plans in 2023) — making the country the fifth Southeast Asian market to welcome them.

In line with the formal launch, the  Chery Auto-owned marques brought in a three-model lineup consisting of the Omoda C5, E5, and Jaecoo EJ6.

Here are some details about them.

Omoda C5

Engine	1.5-liter TCI
Maximum power (in horsepower [hp>)	154
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters [Nm>)	230

Omoda E5

Electric motor	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power (in hp)	201
Maximum torque (in Nm)	340
Maximum range (in kilometers)	442

Jaecoo EJ6

Electric motor	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power (in hp)	275
Maximum torque (in Nm)	385
Maximum range (in km)	421

 Read the details about the vehicles’ various trims in this article.

BMW 520i

Also in February was the unveiling of the 520i sedan exclusive edition.

BMW Philippines — through SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation — shared that the limited-run offering is priced at P3.99 million.

Here’s what propels the Limited Edition BMW 520i:

Engine	2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Maximum power output (in hp)	208
Maximum torque (in Nm)	330

Bits of information can be obtained through this link.

New Tesla Model Y

Concluding string of launches in February 2025 was the entry of the updated Tesla Model Y in the Philippines.

Now fitted with several tech updates, a revamped exterior, and the addition of the limited-edition Launch Series trim, the pricing of the upgraded Tesla Model Y ranges between P2.369- to P2.689 million (depending on the variation). 

BYD Shark DMO

During the initial week of March, BYD took the centerstage again with the introduction of the Shark 6 DMO.

One of the first in the Philippine electrified pickup truck arena, the aforementioned model is set to compete with Changan Nevo Hunter K50 REEV.

Check out the story, here.

Refreshed Isuzu mu-X

While buyers are looking forward to the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2025, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) showed its aggressiveness and revealed the newest version of the mu-X ahead of the local motoring event.

Despite the presence of the new 2.2-liter powertrain in neighboring country Thailand, IPC kept the two engines that had been powering the vehicle for years already:

• 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-liter Blue Power
• RZ4E-TC

Learn more about the vehicle, here.

BYD eMAX7

Shortly, BYD Cars Philippines introduced the eMAX7 to early adopters of NEV in the country.

The launch of the said model paved the way for the brand to enter the highly-contested multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment.

More information about the vehicle can be obtained here.

Suzuki Dzire Hybrid

Suzuki Philippines took the opportunity to put the Dzire Hybrid front and center for potential buyers to see.

The subcompact sedan’s newest version is powered by a 1.2-liter, inline-three gasoline engine paired with a 12-volt hybrid system that can dish out a peak of 80 horses and 112 Nm. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission.

You can go back to the news about it, here.

GWM Cannon

The Luxuriant-led GWM (Great Wall Motors) Philippines earned the attention of many MIAS event-goers by unveiling the new Cannon.

Its 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission setup has a peak churn of 178 hp and 480 Nm — showing a 12-percent increase in power and a 20-percent increase in torque.

 The story about the Chinese automaker’s pickup truck can be found, here.

BAIC B40 Pro Trail Master, B60e Beaumont REV; Chery Tiggo Cross, REV, and Grand Tour; Foton Wonder; Lynk & Co 02

United Asia Automotive Group, Incorporated (UAAGI) had a barrage of vehicle launches at MIAS 2025 coming from the brands that it carries namely BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company), Chery Auto, Foton, and Lynk & Co.

BAIC Philippines launched the B40 Pro Trail Master and B60e Beaumont rEV at MIAS 2025.

The two came with the following introductory prices:

BAIC B40 Pro Trail Master	P2.598 million
BAIC B60e Beaumont REV	P3.248 million

See the story about the two vehicles, here.

Meanwhile, Chery Auto Philippines also took advantage of the same venue to reveal the Tiggo Cross, REV, and Grand Tour.

The pricing of the three all-new models ranges from P998,000-P1.648 million.

Pieces of facts about the trio is available here

The Foton Wonder, which clashes against the likes of the Toyota LiteAce and Suzuki Carry, also gained the attention of the public with its P778,000-price tag.

Check out more details, here.

Lastly, Lynk & Co debuted the all-new 02 for the Philippine market.

The fully-electric crossover is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor with a 66-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion (with nickel manganese cobalt) battery.

The powertrain combination has the capacity to provide the following numbers:

Maximum output (in hp)	268
Peak torque (in Nm)	343
Range (in kilometers [km>, based on Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure)	435

 More details about the car, here.

Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM, T2 Lightning i-DM

MIAS 2025 also served as the launchpad for the i-DM-propelled version of the Jetour X70 and T2.

The prices of the Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM, and T2 Lightning i-DM varies from P1.648 million- P2.888 million.

VinFast VF 6

VinFast Philippines further expanded its all-electric roster by adding the VF 6 to its stable.

Providing propulsion for the VinFast VF 6 is a single motor that can generate 201 hp and 250-310 Nm.

Read more information about it, here.

BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport

Shortly after MIAS 2025 concluded, BMW Philippines launched another offering that came in the form of X3 30e xDrive M Sport.

The premium model introduced in the market features a new plug-in hybrid powertrain and numerous improvements in terms of creature comforts and onboard technologies.

More facts about the vehicle, here.

Kaiyi E5, X3 Pro, E-Qute 04, X7 PHEV

Within the same month, Kaiyi Auto entered the local scene through its distributor Fortune Electricars Philippines Corporation. With this, the company immediately fielded a four-model force made up of the E5, X3 Pro, E-Qute 04, X7 PHEV.

Here’s what its possible customer can get with the four vehicles:

• E5: Mid-sized sedan powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.

• X3 Pro – Subcompact crossover fitted with a high-resolution touchscreen and smart safety technology
• E-Qute 04: Compact battery electric vehicle that can cover up to 410 kilometers.
• X7 PHEV: A seven-seater plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that has a combined range of 1,200 kilometers that has a starting price of P1,499,999.

The story about Kaiyi Auto in the Philippines can be found in this link.

Hyundai HARI Cab

After Labor Day, Hariphil Asia Resources, Incorporated (HARI) immediately made available the HARI Cab, a locally assembled commercial vehicle that carries the Hyundai logo.  

Moving the commercial vehicle is a 2.9-liter, turbocharged, water-cooled, four-stroke, diesel-powered mill matched to a five-speed manual rower.

The HARI Cab is priced from P1.797 to P2.362 million.

Check out its notable portions in this story.

Ford Everest, Ranger Sport SE

Showing that it is not resting on its laurels, the Blue Oval marque introduced Sport Special Edition trims for the Everest and Ranger.

Both products carry blacked-out parts but wear the same potent mill configurations (2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four in six-speed automatic transmission.

Details about the two can be found here. 

Zeekr 009

Zeekr Philippines presented the all-new 009 that is eyed to take a chunk at the premium electrified MPV market.

Offered in two trims, the Zeekr 009 can be had for P4.399 million (Executive), or P3.999 million (Lounge).

More information can be gained here.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two, Defender Octa

 Land Rover in the Philippines also went up a notch (or two) by introducing two new offerings: the Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two and Defender Octa.

Produced in limited-run fashion, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV Edition only has 2,500 examples globally.

Story can be found here.

On the other hand, the Land Rover Defender Octa has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels. 

More details about it were revealed here.

BYD Sealion 5 DM-i

BYD seems to be far from stopping its series of bringing in more nameplates as last it is also presented the Philippine-spec Sealion 5 DM-i.

Designed for the “practical and modern millennial” (as the ACMobility-led distributor claimed), the small SUV is outfitted with an electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine as range extender.

Learn more about the vehicle’s fine points here.

Hyundai Kona Hybrid

It was also on the same day that Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) re-introduced to the local market the Kona nameplate.

The comebacking model is now offered as an NEV as it is equipped with a 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor in hybrid setup.

Vehicle specifics about the returning nameplate is shared here.

Geely Okavango Elite

Rounding up the vehicle launches for the initial half of the year was updating of the Geely Okavango offering.

Unlike the previous iteration, the vehicle is only available in the sole Elite variant and is now considered as a hybrid electric vehicle.

The story about it is accessible here.

 Conclusion

Although the list is already long, we can still expect more to arrive within the second half of 2025. So, keep your eyes glued to this website to learn more about the local automotive industry.

Also read:

Volvo to release XC60 PHEV in PH?

PH-spec next-gen MG ZS Hybrid+ details revealed ahead of July 3 launch

Hyundai Accent likely to rejoin PH roster

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