Zigwheels weekly wrap-up: Apr. 21-25

MANILA: This week’s top stories in the Philippine automotive industry include some product launches and tempting promotions. 

In addition, local players also presented their admirable initiatives. 

And to wrap the week up, we will look into what happened at Auto Shanghai 2025. 

Local releases 

While most automotive brands decided to launch products at the Manila International Auto Show a few weeks back, several companies planned to present their new offerings at a time when the spotlight isn’t shared. 

Here are some of the vehicle releases that took place this week. 

New Mazda BT-50 

Mazda Philippines rolled out the new BT-50 pickup truck earlier this week. 

The latest iteration of the nameplate boasts a “bolder design and long list of standard features.” It comes in two trims and has a base price of P1.55 million. 

Full story available, here. 

Hongqi EH7, E-HS7

Chinese carmaker Hongqi announced that it will launch the EH7 and E-HS7 models soon. Distributor EVOxTerra previewed the said models to motoring journalists recently. Meanwhile, interested car buyers can check them out at the brand’s dealerships listed below: 

• Hongqi Bonifacio Global City 
• Hongqi Manila Bay 
• Hongqi Quezon City 

More information about the said models, here. 

Tesla Model Y 

Tesla Philippines delivered the initial batch of Model Y units to its owners. 

Fittingly, the electric car company handed over the units to their owners on Earth Day. 

You can read more about it, here. 

Tempting promos 

The scorching heat is not stopping local car brands from serving up tempting promos to their customers. Here are some of the deals that came out this week. 

Hyundai trucks, buses PMS promo 

Hariphil Asia Resources, Incorporated, the distributor of Hyundai Trucks and Buses in the country, has launched a limited-time offer to help with the preventive maintenance service (PMS) of its customers. 

The said promo, which will run until May 15, will reduce up to 20 percent on PMS parts and labor fees. 

Full dispatch available, here. 

MG PH to take promo winner to London 

Morris Garages (MG) Philippines will bring promo winners to London with its new “Rev Up for the UK” campaign. 

Lucky participants will enjoy business class flights along with hotel accommodation for five days and four nights. 

More details can be read, here. 

BMW PH rolls out ‘Demo Fest’ 

BMW Philippines has launched the BMW Demo Fest, a four-day event that will give customers exclusive access to discounted models. 

Per the local wing of the German carmaker, the promo is happening at its Libis and Greenhills showrooms and includes both brand-new cars (with special discounts) and well-maintained demo units (pre-owned vehicles with mileage) with significantly-reduced prices. 

Read the full dispatch, here. 

CSR initiatives 

Local brands show that they care about the community by engaging in social corporate responsibility initiatives. Here are some admirable deeds done by local auto players. 

Mitsubishi PH donates to 3 schools 

Three lucky schools were the recipients of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation’s (MMPC) handsome donations. 

Below are the automobiles gifted by MMPC: 

• Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLX MT
• Mitsubishi L300 MT

The selected schools are as follows: 

• Laguna State Polytechnic University-Siniloan campus
• Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga campus
• Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology-GMA campus 

Full story, here. 

Toyota PH donates to DENR 

Likewise, the biggest automotive brand in the country has donated a Toyota Tamaraw to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

Dedicated to helping the agency’s Tamaraw Conservation Program, the said light commercial vehicle is coupled with “Bantay Tamaraw Kits” consisting of mountaineering gears, equipment, and tools worth over P500,000. 

More about this news, here. 

Other local news

Aside from the abovementioned stories, the local industry was also abuzz with the below news.

VinFast awards artist with VF 3 

Recently, VinFast Philippines awarded local artist Warren Trinidad a VF 3 electric vehicle for winning its VF 3 Brave New Imagination Creators Challenge. 

Check out the news article, here. 

Toyota Gazoo Racing PH Cup goes back to the streets 

Deviating from traditional setup, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup will take motorsport fans to the streets. 

It will leave the Clark International Speedway for a moment to bring local competitors to Villar City in Cavite. 

Find out more about the heat, here. 

Global stories

The Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai) kicked off sometime this week with many automotive brands launching new models at the expo. 

On that note, we prepared a table where you can find the brands with their corresponding presentations at Auto Shanghai. 

Lexus	Lexus ES
Nissan	Nissan Frontier Pro PHEV
Audi	Audi E5 Sportback production model
Bentley	New Azure models
Geely	Geely Galaxy Cruiser concept
Omoda, Jaecoo	New NEV models
Mazda	Mazda EZ-60
Honda	GAC Honda GT, Dongfeng Honda GT

 

Also read:

Nissan ends Q1 2025 as 3rd best-selling automaker in PH

New Isuzu PH chief says current D-Max to stay for a while

Lotus honors Senna’s 1st F1 victory at Estoril by fielding 97T race car