An alphabet of vehicle launches in 2021

Amid the see-saw situation this year for the Philippine automotive sector, distributors managed to bring out their aces that would help them consumers pick a vehicle that would suit their preference.

Here are some of the vehicles that were introduced in 2021.

Audi

PGA Cars was very aggressive in launching new Audi Sport models all throughout the year.

The local importer of Audi vehicles made its opening salvo with the introduction of the RS3, RS Q8, RS6 Avant  and R8 in January — all 2021 year models. It has also made the new Q7 sport utility vehicle accessible to the Philippine market since March and the 2021 RS 5 Coupe in May.

During the second half of the year, Audi Philippines added more vehicles in its lineup by launching the 2022 Q5 (offered in two options) last month; the RS Q3 in October; the RS5 Sportback in September; the RS 4 Avant in August; 2022 Audi Q5 (offered in two trims) in late November.

Chery

Chery Auto Philippines opened the year 2021 with the launch of the all-new Tiggo 7 Pro after its sneak peek during the online version of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS Wired) in December 2020.

Chevrolet

Among the vehicles that the Golden Bowtie marque brought in the country were the China-bred all-new Tracker (released in July 2021) and the smaller version of the Trailblazer (unveiled October 2021) — both coming in two variants.

Ford

The Blue Oval brand showed off its American muscle in the Philippine market by bringing in at least five models.

After revamping the Ranger lineup in February, Ford Philippines unleashed the Ranger FX4 Max. September came and Ford offered in the country the iconic Mustang Shelby GT500 — the top-spec version of the Mustang nameplate that has a 5.2-liter supercharged cross-plane crank V8 engine that provides 760hp and 847Nm torque.

In November, the diesel-fed F-150 bumped off the two gasoline-powered trims, which spearheaded the nameplate’s reintroduction locally last year.

Finally, just two weeks before Christmas, the company formally announced the all-new Explorer’s availability in its dealerships.

Guangzhou Automobile Corporation

Legado Motors Inc. (LMI) brought four models in the whole 12-month period of 2021.

In February, the Chinese arm’s local distributor brought the GN6 — that is now competing in the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) category.

After that, LMI introduced the 2021 GAC GN8 Master’s Edition and the newest iteration of the GS8 in October and second-generation GS4 early this month.

Honda

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. revealed two exciting offers with the arrival of the City’s hatchback version (to replace the Honda Jazz) and the 11th-generation Civic (touted as the “best-Civic ever”). The power mills of these two vehicles are paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). 

Isuzu

Isuzu Philippines Corporation brought the latest version of its dynamic duo this year: the D-Max pickup truck launched in March and the mu-X crossover to open the “Ber months”.

These two are both injected with Isuzu’s Advance Driver Assist System safety features that include Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Turn Assist, Mis-Application Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Manual Speed Limiter, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic High Beam, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Parking Aid, and Multi-Collision Brake.

Jaguar

Coventry Motors Corporation presented two new offerings in the country last July from England-based badge Jaguar Land Rover: the mild-hybrid Jaguar F-Pace and the new Jaguar XF that were built on the same design concept of “enhanced exterior design,  all-new beautifully crafted interior and advanced connectivity.”

Kaicene

Berjaya Auto Asia Inc. was very silent the whole year after rebranding its offerings from Changan into Kaicene last year. However, it surprised the market when it introduced the all-new CX-70, expanding its model lineup to four.

Kia

During the early part of 2021, the Kia Philippines was focused on intensifying its grasp by adding more dealerships and increasing parts availability that would ensure strong aftersales support. 

But after adopting the global direction of the mother company, the Ayala-backed vehicle distributor offered to the market the Kia Stonic Style Edition and the all-new Sorento — both sporting the new corporate logo.

Maxus

Another automotive brand under AC Motors, Maxus Philippines unlocked its fifth and six members of its roster: the D60 (launched in April) and the D90 (offered to the market since September).

Mazda

Mazda Philippines fortified its range by introducing a Premium Collection that covers the Mazda2 Hatchback, CX-3, Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-30.

Just last month, the local distributor brought sophistication in the very rugged pick-up truck arena with the all-new BT-50. This model shares the same platform as with the Isuzu D-Max.    

Mercedes-Benz

The local arm of the Three-Pointed Star brand showed its glitter this year by offering the seventh-generation S-Class; a luxury sedan powered by a three-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine with 4Matic All-Wheel Drive system with EQ Boost mild-hybrid system.

Morris Garages

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) brought the turbocharged version of the MG ZS last October, with a turbocharged, three-cylinder, 1.3-liter engine that can dish out 160hp and 230Nm of torque.

Nissan

Nissan Philippines is all about providing more choices this year when it brought the all-new, all-turbocharged variants of the Almera subcompact sedan; the updated Terra; and its poster boy for the electrified mobility, highly-awaited Nissan Leaf.

Subaru

Motor Image Pilipinas brought several models in the country, starting with the latest addition to the Forester lineup: the Forester Lite GT Edition (base model specs but with some trinkets found on the top-spec trim). The Evoltis (which is biggest in the lineup) reached the Philippine market in May, followed by the all-new Outback that came last August then lastly, the facelifted XV GT.

Toyota

Top local vehicle distributor Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) updated its multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Innova with the prices of the six variants ranging from P1.186 million to P1.739 million.

2021 for TMP is also about Toyota vehicles being injected with the Gazoo Racing DNA with the launching of Vios GR-S, GR Yaris, as well as GR-S trims for the Hilux and Fortuner. 

Further, the hybrid version of the 2022 Camry was revealed early this month, bringing the electric vehicle offerings now to four. 

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Philippines revealed the updated Santana in February and the T-Cross in the latter part of May. The Ayala-backed company also included another global model in its roster with the introduction of the iconic Multivan Kombi.

Photos from Audi Philippines Chevrolet Philippines, Ruben D. Manahan IV, Roy Robles, Kaicene Philippines, Kia Philippines, Mazda Philippines, Volkswagen Philippines

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