Zigwheels PH weekly wrap: Oct. 19-23

MANILA: The fourth week of October 2026 saw numerous local launches and the opening of reservation periods, signaling that the local automotive and motorcycle industries aren’t slowing down anytime soon. At the same time, we also saw significant launches and developments on the global scale. 

So, without further ado, here’s what happened in the world of cars, trucks, and motorcycles from October 19-23, 2026. 

Local vehicle launches

iCAUR PH reservation period

iCAUR Philippines has commenced reservations for the V23 and V27 sport utility vehicles. The smaller V23 has a reservation fee of P1,000, while the larger V27 requires P2,000. In addition to these relatively affordable reservation fees, customers who proceed with their car purchases can enjoy additional discounts. 

More on the iCAUR V23 and V27 reservation period here. 

Other stories: Is the new Honda City, City Hatchback worth the money? 3 reasons why the Kia PV5 might be the future of commercial vehicles in PH Honda City: old vs. new

 

Royal Enfield 125th Anniversary Edition Hypershift Classic 650

Royal Enfield’s local arm has launched the 125th Anniversary Edition Hypershift Classic 650. Only 625 examples of this motorcycle will be available worldwide, with just five units allocated for the local market. Pricing for the shade-shifting-painted motorcycle starts at P492,000.

Learn more about the Royal Enfield 125th Anniversary Edition Hypershift Classic 650 here.

Suzuki Raider R150 Shadow Edition

Suzuki has expanded the Raider R150 variant lineup with the new ‘Shadow Edition’ trim. This goes together with two new colors: Solid Black and Pearl Bright Ivory. Moreover, the model may come in two new decal designs that were inspired by Filipino culture. 

Click here for more details on the Suzuki Raider R150 Shadow Edition. 

Toyota Tamaraw MPUV

Toyota Motor Philippines has rolled out the all-new Tamaraw Class 1 Modern Public Utility Vehicle (MPUV) at the 2026 Philippine International Truck Show (PITS). 

Notably, this variant of the Tamaraw is touted as a comfortable public transport solution that is also “cleaner and environmentally friendly.” Pricing for this model starts at P1.389 million. 

Read this story for more information about the newly launched Toyota Tamaraw MPUV. 

Kia PV5

Kia Philippines, under ACMobility, has introduced the PV5 for the Philippine market. This model is a compact van-type all-electric vehicle designed to meet the needs of fleet operators who want emissions-free logistics platforms. As of its launch, its Cargo variant starts at P2.098 million. 

Read more about the Kia PV5 here.

Dongfeng Mage EV

Dongfeng Philippines has brought the all-new Mage EV for the local market. The said model is based on the Aeolus Mage crossover and is a five-seater with a compact body size. Its sole variant for the local market has a range of 530 kilometers and is priced at P1.398 million. 

Learn more about the Dongfeng Mage EV here.

Nissan Navara Pro PHEV, Primera EV

The initial batch of Nissan Navara Pro plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and Primera EV has entered the country. These come ahead of their scheduled launch on November 6, 2026. 

More about these two all-new Nissan nameplates here.

FAWCAR

FAWCAR has rolled out the Joyee lineup for the local market. These include the S04 EV, S08 PHEV, and the N09 EV and range-extended variants. The brand is distributed by Multifortune Motors Incorporated. 

More about the FAWCAR Joyee lineup here.

Global car launches

Mercedes-AMG GT SUV

The Mercedes-AMG GT SUV was globally launched in the fourth week of October 2026. Essentially, it is the SUV version of the GT 2-Door Coupe, and is a high-performance EV with a peak output of 1,169 horsepower. 

More on the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV here.

Next-gen BYD Seagull

BYD introduced the next-gen Seagull, which received a slew of improvements ranging from its power output, exterior design, interior amenities, and more importantly, the Chinese brand’s ultra-fast flash-charging technology. 

Learn more about the next-generation BYD Seagull here.

Global industry updates

Bosch celebrates the 100th anniversary of its wiper systems in 2026. The company’s wiper system was initially developed in 1926 and has stood as a standard-setter in the automotive industry ever since. 

In the second quarter of 2026, VinFast sold 70,085 four-wheeled EV units globally. This represents a 20 percent increase from the first quarter of the year. 

Geely Holding Group has established a partnership with Google. In doing so, Google’s Automotive Services are set to be integrated into the conglomerate’s lineup of car brands. The aforementioned is targeted to come to fruition in the second half of 2027. 

Local industry updates

The fourth week of October 2026 saw the commencement of two significant car shows. The 14th PEVS and the first-ever PITS. 

At the inaugural PITS, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) debuted the N-Series EV concept truck. For the unaware, this is the Japanese marque’s vision of future all-electric commercial vehicles. It offers a range of up to 299 kilometers via its 100-kilowatt-hour battery. 

During the 14th PEVS, Toyota Motor Philippines highlighted its multi-pathway approach to sustainable mobility. This was done through a showcase of several models, including the historic second-generation Prius hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). 

At the same event, BYD highlighted its end-to-end EV ecosystem, which includes the PH EV Spine, the Evro smartphone app, Power-on-Wheels, and its nationwide charging solutions. Additionally, ACMobility opened Manila’s first-ever EV charging hub. 

Again at PITS, Sojitz Fuso Philippines showcased the eCanter all-electric light-duty commercial truck and the Canter FE73. 

In the same week, Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI) reopened its Shaw Boulevard dealership. Honda Cars Shaw is now directly under HCPI as a subsidiary. 

In its September 2026 report, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Incorporated (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association shared that their member brands sold 307,060 vehicles in the first nine months of the year. 

VinFast likewise reported that CAMPI’s best-selling BEV as of August 2026 is the VF3. Meanwhile, BMW saw year-to-date sales growth of 25 percent, with the X1 PHEV driving that growth. 

On the government side, the National Capital Region is preparing for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. It has also bared its plans for Oplan Undas 2026, including the approval of 1,100 special bus permits. 

At the final leg of the 2026 Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippines Cup, Toyota Motor Philippines and Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines announced that the GR86 will be part of the 2027 TGR Philippines Cup. Lexus, on the other hand, displayed the all-new IS, while the RZ functioned as a medical car and the LBX as the official lead car. 

Also read:

Zigwheels weekly wrap: Oct. 12-16

ZW PH weekly wrap: Oct 5-9

ZW PH weekly wrap: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

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