COMPARED to last year, where there were only three electric vehicles at the test drive activity, the 2024 Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival, highlighted a growing emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs) with over 20 (nearly half of the vehicles for test drive) pure electric and hybrid options, in what could be a shift in the automotive industry towards more sustainable mobility.
This year’s festival highlighted the growing diversity of the automotive market, featuring a wide range of vehicles, from electric vehicles (EVs) to SUVs, crossovers, and MPVs. The 17 participating brands are BYD, Changan, DFSK, Ford, GAC Motor, Geely, GWM, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jetour, Kia, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota.
BYD Cars Philippines, a pioneer in new energy vehicles, invited visitors to experience the smooth acceleration and whisper-quiet operation of their full-electric Dolphin hatchback and Atto 3 crossover. Both models boast impressive ranges, making them suitable for both daily commutes and longer road trips.
Changan brought in their whole arsenal of SUVs, the CS15, CS35 Plus and CS55. The brand now under the global distributor Inchcape is making headway in the industry with plans of electrifying its line-up this year.
Ford, despite not showcasing any electric models at the festival, highlighted its commitment to next-generation ownership experiences with offerings like FordPass, Pickup and Delivery, and Express Service, indicating a readiness to adapt to the changing automotive landscape.
GAC Motor Philippines also introduced its first hybrid SUV, the Emkoo, alongside its all-new M6 Pro MPV and popular Emzoom crossover. The Emkoo, set to launch in June 2024, offers a full parallel hybrid system and coding exemption on Metro Manila streets, adding to its appeal for environmentally conscious drivers.
The most interesting hybrid, ICE and EV mix came from Great Wall Motors (GWM) with the Ora Cat EV and the Tank 300 leading the test drive line up with included the Haval SUVs and the Cannon pick-up.
Honda Cars Philippines offered free test drives for eight of its models at the Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival, including popular options like the Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Brio, BR-V, and City. Festival attendees had the opportunity to experience Honda’s advanced safety features, such as Honda SENSING, and the convenience of Honda CONNECT technology. In addition to the test drives, Honda offered customers who reserved a vehicle during the festival a free one-year preventive maintenance service (PMS) voucher.
Hyundai offered test drives of nine models, including the recently launched Santa Fe, popular SUVs like the Creta and Tucson, MPVs like the Stargazer and Staria, and the multi-awarded IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 electric vehicles.
Jetour Auto Philippines, a newcomer to the festival, offered a range of SUVs and crossovers, along with the intriguing Ice Cream EV, and enticing financing deals.
Kia Philippines presented its award-winning models, including the EV6 GT-Line, the new Seltos subcompact crossover, and the premium Sorento SUV, along with substantial discounts on select models.
MG Philippines, while featuring ICE models like the MG One and G50 Plus, also presented the fully electric ZS EV for test drives, allowing consumers to experience the benefits of electric mobility firsthand.
Mitsubishi had the recently launched Tritron pick up leading the test drive vehicle pack followed by the Montero Sport, the Xpander Cross, the Mirage G4
Nissan showcased its Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technology and vehicle lineup. Test drives included the all-electric Nissan LEAF, the gas-charged fully electric Kicks e-POWER, the tech-advanced Nissan Almera with NissanConnect Services, and the luxurious Nissan Patrol. Other models included the Nissan Terra, Navara, and Livina.
Suzuki showcased its Ertiga Hybrid and XL7 Hybrid alongside its popular Jimny and S-Presso models. The dedicated Suzuki Safety Scouts Corner focused on road safety education for children. Each brand’s booth was staffed with knowledgeable executives ready to answer questions and guide visitors through the car-buying process.
Toyota had its booth divided into the Gazoo Racing (GR) line-up on one side and the “Go Electrified” on the other end. They featured every hybrid Toyota model from the Corolla Cross to the Zenix and every GR Toyota vehicle to admire and test.
The Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival not only provided a unique opportunity for consumers to explore a wide range of vehicles but also underscored the growing importance of electric and hybrid options in the Philippine automotive market.
The increasing availability of EVs and hybrids for test drives demonstrates manufacturers’ efforts to make sustainable mobility more accessible and appealing to Filipino consumers. The future of mobility in the Philippines looks increasingly green. —with Lech P. Quiambao
