Zigwheels PH weekly wrap: December 1-5, 2025

MANILA: In the first month of December 2025, the local automotive industry has wound down a bit on car launches. Regardless, a Japanese marque previewed the next-generation revival of a beloved coupe model, now in hybrid form. 

In the global scene, another Japanese brand releases its latest sports car model - one with a V8. The same brand has also partnered up with a Formula One team as its return to the world’s pinnacle of motorsport. 

Those are just some of the biggest developments in the local and global car industry. And so, for those who missed the news, here’s Zigwheels Philippines’ weekly wrap for the first week of December 2025. 

Global car debuts

Toyota GR GT, GR GT3

Toyota Gazoo Racing has unveiled the GR GT and GR GT3 for the first time ever. For now, the two cars are still prototypes, but they represent Toyota’s commitment to making exciting, motorsports-bred cars. 

To note, the GR GT was described by the Japanese marque as a “road-legal race car,” whereas the GR GT3 is the brand’s future entry into the FIA-sanctioned GT3 racing spec.

The Toyota GR GT, in particular, uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine capable of outputting 641 horsepower (hp) and 850 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. The Toyota GR GT3 also uses the same twin-turbo eight-cylinder mill, but without the hybrid components. 

Click here to read more about the Toyota GR GT and GR GT3. 

Nissan Frontier Pro, Frontier Pro PHEV

After being premiered at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, Zhengzhou Nissan has rolled out the Frontier Pro and Frontier Pro PHEV for the Chinese market. 

The Frontier Pro PHEV comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged mill that can produce up to 402 hp and 800 Nm of torque. 

Per the China-based Nissan joint venture, the said pickup trucks will be exported to other markets in 2026. 

Learn more about the Zhengzhou Nissan Frontier Pro here.

Lexus LFA Concept

Apart from the global debuts of the Toyota GR GT and GR GT3, Lexus, Toyota’s luxury arm, has pulled the covers off the LFA Concept. 

The Lexus LFA Concept is a battery electric vehicle (BEV), which is underpinned by the same chassis utilized by its eight-cylinder siblings. 

Click here to read about the Lexus LFA Concept. 

Porsche Cayenne Electric, Cayenne Turbo Electric

Porsche has launched the Cayenne Electric and the Cayenne Turbo Electric. The two are touted to provide the performance of a “super sports car,” while having the space and comfort of a sport utility vehicle (SUV). 

The Porsche Cayenne Electric can churn out 402-403 hp, while the Cayenne Turbo Electric has a maximum output of 845 hp and 1,140 Nm of torque. The more powerful of the two can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) in just 2.5 seconds. 

Click here to read more about the Porsche Cayenne Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric. 

Other stories: First drive: Radar RD6 Econ Check out the PH-retailed Toyota Ativ's 4 variants First drive: Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e

Upcoming cars PH

Honda Prelude

Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated has previewed the Prelude coupe at the 2025 Honda Fest. For now, no specs for the Philippine market have been confirmed, but HCPI President Rie Miyake indicated that it will be debuting for the local market sometime next year. 

The model, however, is expected to come with a hybrid powertrain, equipped with the Honda S+ Shift. In the US market, the said model is capable of producing around 200 hp. 

Click here for more details about the upcoming Honda Prelude. 

Upcoming global launches

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz will be adding new variants of its G-Class SUV, specifically, the revived version of the Cabriolet. The brand has disclosed that its prototypes are being tested in Austria. 

Click here to learn more about the upcoming Mercedes-Benz G-Class Cabriolet. 

Local industry updates

In the first week of December 2025, the local automotive and motorcycle industry saw significant developments. 

For starters, Lexus has started to offer a longer warranty package for Philippine-based clients. The aforementioned is offered via its new “Five-year Warranty Program.” 

Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Incorporated (CAMPI) announced that it will commence the 10th Philippine International Motor Show from June 4-7, 2026. Its slated venue is still at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. 

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Incorporated (MDPPA), comprising Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, TVS, and Yamaha, has collectively sold 183,502 motorcycle units in the month of October 2025. 

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has moved the ban on e-bikes and e-trikes on national roads to January 2, 2025. Previously, the ban was set to go live on December 1, 2025. 

On the other hand, the Bureau of Customs has kicked off the second round of auctions for the remaining cars that were previously seized from Curlee and Sarah Discaya. 

Trimotors Technology Corporation (TTC) and Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) have grown outside the three-wheeler market after the former was appointed as the Philippine distributor of Solo motorcycles and Chetak electric scooters.

Omoda and Jaecoo Motor Philippines were also added to the Autohub Group dealer network, with plans to establish new showrooms in Calamba, Laguna, North EDSA, and Otis, Manila. 

A total of 17 patient transport vehicles (PTV) were turned over to several local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

CAMPI-TMA’s most recent Philippine car industry report for October 2025, likewise, indicated that Chery is now leading the count for the local market’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales race. Leading the charge for the brand is the Tiggo rEV CD-M. 

Yamaha Motor Philippines has showcased the Mio Fazzio at the DMMA College of Southern Philippines. 

Global industry updates

Porsche will be entering the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s upcoming 2026-2027 season. The brand will be represented by two different teams, with a total of five competing cars. 

Toyota will also be making a grand return to Formula One in 2026. This will be made possible via its new technical partnership with the Haas Team, which will adopt the new “TGR Haas F1 Team” name next year. 

VinFast  has inked inked a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Tamil Nadu, India.  The said state will provide the company a 500-hectare land for it to build a new facility. This upcoming plant will help broaden the brand's portfolio to include buses, e-scooters, and charging infrastructure.

Also read:

Zigwheels PH monthly wrap: Nov. 2025

Zigwheels PH weekly wrap: November 24-28, 2025

Zigwheels Philippines weekly wrap: November 17-21, 2025

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