Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) is conducting a software update for selected units of the Palisade Hybrid to modify how the power seat system operates, the company announced on April 25.

The service action covers 123 units of the all-new Palisade Hybrid currently in the local market.

The software update removes the one-touch activation feature for the second and third-row power seats and replaces it with a press-and-hold function. The change requires deliberate input from passengers to fold or unfold the seats.

Hyundai said the update aims to improve passenger safety by giving users more control over the activation process.

The update will be performed free of charge at all authorized Hyundai dealerships and is expected to take minimal time, according to the company.

Affected customers will be individually notified by their respective dealerships with instructions on how to schedule a service appointment.

Hyundai encouraged customers to participate in the service action to ensure the continued performance of their vehicles.

Customers may contact their dealers or the Hyundai Contact Center for more information.

Electric mobility in the Philippines has reached a turning point, with rising fuel costs turning battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from an alternative into a practical necessity, industry leaders said during a symposium hosted by VinFast Philippines.

The “From Fuel to Future: The Philippines’ EV Turning Point” symposium, held on April 22 in partnership with Maybank Philippines, gathered stakeholders including VinFast, Green GSM, V-Green, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), and the Department of Energy.

Market shift underway

Industry data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and the Truck Manufacturers Association showed overall new car sales declined 8.5 percent year-on-year in February 2026. In contrast, electrified vehicle sales rose sharply, including a 79.9 percent increase in battery electric vehicles.

Speakers at the symposium noted that the conversation has evolved from questioning BEV viability to determining how quickly adoption can scale. Fleet operators, in particular, are recognizing the economic advantages of EVs, whose lower operating costs translate into improved business performance.

VinFast’s ecosystem approach

VinFast Southeast Asia CEO Antonio “Toti” Zara III said the transition to electric mobility requires coordinated action across sectors, including consistent government policy, industry alignment, and private sector innovation.

“The Philippines is at a real turning point in mobility, but progress will depend on how well adoption is supported,” Zara said. “Without a strong ecosystem, it risks becoming fragmented. That is why VinFast is focused on offering a complete ecosystem, not just vehicles, to support customers at every step of their journey.”

VinFast has recently introduced several programs aimed at reducing barriers to adoption, including Residual Value Guarantee (RVG), “Trade Gas for Electric” program, Free EV charging initiative extended through 2029, and Battery Subscription Program, which lowers upfront vehicle costs by treating the battery as a service

Partnerships and financing

VinFast’s ecosystem also includes charging infrastructure through V-Green and mobility platforms such as Green GSM. A partnership with Maybank Philippines provides financing solutions to make EV adoption more accessible.

The symposium was the second installment of a series aimed at moving the conversation from awareness to action, Vinfast Philippines statement said.

As fuel prices continue to rise amid global volatility, some ride-hailing drivers in Metro Manila are considering an electric vehicle rental model that promises lower daily expenses and more predictable income.

VinFast, the Vietnam-based electric vehicle manufacturer, is offering a rental program for service drivers, with fees starting at around 1,000 pesos. The program is set to launch in key metropolitan areas, including Metro Manila, before expanding further.

Under the current policy, drivers can charge for free at V-Green stations until the end of March 2029, effectively eliminating one of the largest operating costs.

Drivers weigh costs

Arnel Dizon, a ride-hailing driver based in Metro Manila, said he has been driving for nearly eight years but has found it increasingly difficult to keep up with fuel expenses.

“Some days, you start with a full tank and by the end of the shift, a big part of what you earned is already gone,” he said.

Dizon said he learned about the rental model through a social media post. The option allows drivers to access vehicles for commercial use without purchasing them outright.

“You can rent it, start earning right away, and your costs are easier to manage,” he recalled.

Potential savings

Another driver, Alvarado from Pasig, said he has already visited a VinFast dealership to inquire about registration. He is interested in the five-seat Herio Green, a variant of the VF 5 tailored for service use. A seven-seat Limo Green is also available under the rental policy.

Alvarado estimates that a driver covering 200 to 300 kilometers per day would log 6,000 to 9,000 kilometers per month. For a gasoline vehicle, fuel costs at that level could range from 24,000 to 36,000 pesos monthly, depending on traffic and driving patterns.

With VinFast’s free charging policy, energy costs are effectively reduced to zero under current incentives. The monthly savings, Alvarado said, could cover a significant portion of his household expenses. Over a year, savings could accumulate to roughly 300,000 to over 400,000 pesos.

Vehicle specifications

The Herio Green has a driving range of over 300 kilometers per charge, enough for a full day of urban driving. Fast charging from 10 percent to 70 percent takes around 30 minutes.

“I usually stop anyway,” Alvarado said. “If the car charges while I rest, it doesn’t feel like I’m losing time.”

Dizon said he is not yet ready to make the switch but is leaning toward doing so soon.

“But it’s starting to feel like a step I’ll take sooner rather than later to really enjoy that sweet and free charging deal,” he said.

VinFast ended 2025 as the second-largest battery electric vehicle brand in the Philippines, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.