Disclosure: Astara Philippines, the official importer and distributor of GAC Motor in the Philippines, took us on a two-day media drive with the all-new GAC GS8 4WD. The company paid for all our meals and accommodation. GAC Philippines recently invited us to test the all-new GAC GS8 4WD on a media drive. However, as a point of comparison, they also brought two units of the sport-utility vehicle's (SUV) two-wheel drive (2WD) version to showcase the differences between it and the new variant. Our

Great Wall Motor (GWM) Philippines officially inaugurated its first dealership in the country, with plans to expand nationwide. The fledgling Chinese carmaker held a ceremony at its U.N. Avenue dealer in Manila on Aug. 3, 2023. This was nearly four months after the showroom had held its soft opening on April 2023. GWM Philippines marketing manager Tonette Lee told AutoFun Philippines in an interview at the sidelines of the event that it was imperative for the brand to have a presence in the coun

Hybrid vehicles have slowly begun to become popular in the Philippine market. Automakers are increasingly releasing these kinds of cars, hoping to capitalize on the growing demand. Recent additions to the Philippine market include the likes of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Haval H6 and the Haval Jolion. Meanwhile, the likes of the Geely Okavango and the recently launched Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid are classified as "mild" hybrid vehicles. But just how do mild hybrids work? Wh

The first-generation Nissan Livina was part of the initial Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) boom in the country in the mid-2000s. It joined the likes of the Toyota Innova, Mitsubishi Adventure, and other vehicles that filled that niche. However, this first iteration didn’t last long. It was removed from the brand’s local lineup in the early 2010s, with its rivals advancing to a newer generation with better technology. Fast forward to 2023, and the Nissan Livina has returned with its second generation

Toyota has significantly contributed to the popularity and development of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) since it launched the original Toyota Prius in 1997. Over the last decade, the Japanese carmaker has also rolled out a wide range of hybrid cars in the Philippines that offer incredible fuel economy without the range anxiety that battery EVs still get because of insufficient charging stations. Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced in a January 2023 press statement that it is showcasing its

The hand that rocks the cradle are not the typical pair of hands one would usually spot on messing around with the greasy mechanical innards of the squeaky-clean er, say, Ford Ecosport. WHAT IS FORD ECOSPORT? In a sense, was a one-shot deal hatched by the visionary collective heads of those prime car magnates from Blue Oval, an exciting place dead-set on ruminating about mass-producing EVs (electric vehicles) by the truckload that would probably be operational by the year 2025, or so they say. B