BIZ BUZZ: Vietnam’s VinFast joins Philippine auto group
MANILA, Philippines — VinFast, Vietnam’s fast-rising electric vehicle brand, just plugged into the big leagues by joining the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi), the country’s most powerful auto industry group.
Campi members account for over 92 percent of vehicle sales in the Philippines.
Campi president Rommel Gutierrez welcomed VinFast as the newest member and noted the company’s entry as a pure electric mobility brand marks a milestone expected to bring fresh momentum to the local auto industry.
For his part, VinFast Philippines chief executive officer Doan Thi Mai Anh said joining the automotive business group marks a significant step forward in their commitment to shaping the future of mobility in the Philippines through clean, smart and sustainable transportation.
READ: Vietnamese e-vehicle maker VinFast plans Asia expansion
In just a year since its debut, VinFast has rolled out a lineup of all-electric models including the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7 and VF 9, ready to challenge the status quo.
These vehicles are all sleek, silent, and ready to shake up a market still mostly running on fossil juice.
Among them, the VF 6 is already generating buzz as a possible crowd favorite for budget-conscious, eco-curious Filipinos looking to make the switch.
The company is also building a full ecosystem—from charging infrastructure and after-sales service to collaborating on policies that support sustainable growth.
It also aims to replicate its successful “For a Green Future” model from Vietnam here in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, pushing the region closer to cleaner and smarter transportation. —Alden M. Monzon
Green rides, anyone?
Select users of Grab Philippines can now book “green” rides via the app following its launch of the country’s first fully electric taxi fleet in Metro Manila.
In partnership with local operator EV Taxi Corp., the ride-hailing company has made GrabTaxi Electric service—currently in beta testing—available in Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Parañaque and Pasay.
Grab said that it also intends to expand adoption of electric vehicles (EV) in its fleet in the provinces—including Davao and Cagayan de Oro—this year.
This service is in line with Grab’s June 2024 pilot study with EV distributor BYD Philippines. It tested the viability of EVs in the ride-hailing segment from both operational and financial perspective.
“This is not just about offering another ride option,” said Grab Philippines country head Ronald Roda.
“It’s about fundamentally changing the DNA of urban transport in the Philippines,” he added. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
READ: Grab deploys Philippines’ 1st fully electric taxi fleet
Unstoppable Asialink
Looks like Asialink Finance Corp. is on a roll—and there’s no stopping it.
The IFC-backed lender, known for supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, just celebrated a major milestone: its 250th branch, officially opened in Maramag, Bukidnon, in late May.
And this milestone didn’t come out of nowhere. In 2024, Asialink posted a solid P1.1 billion in net income—a 4-percent jump from the previous year. But the real headline? The company went on a major expansion spree, opening 134 new branches last year. That’s more than two new locations every week.
Backed by investor confidence and the support of heavyweights like the Asian Development Bank and private equity firm Creador, Asialink’s growth story is only getting more exciting.
At this rate, the company is gearing up for something even bigger: a stock market debut in 2028. And with this kind of momentum, it’s looking like a promising name to watch. —Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral
Aguda thanks BBM
When President Marcos ordered the courtesy resignation of his cabinet members last month, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda was one of the first officials to comply.
But, fast forward to this week, Aguda is also one of the officials who were kept in the government’s roster. And for that, the former head of Aboitiz-led Union Digital Bank is thankful.
READ: New chief seeks doubling of 2026 DICT budget
“I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to the President for allowing me to continue to serve under DICT,” he said in a press briefing on Wednesday in Manila.
Aguda again vowed to fulfill his mandate: to expand internet access to every Filipino with the advent of increased digitalization. This means ramping up digital infrastructure like cell sites, satellite, fiber backbone systems and data centers.
He was appointed in March, replacing Ivan John Uy. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Tiu Laurel marked safe
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is officially off the chopping block amid the ongoing executive branch shake-up—and the Department of Agriculture (DA) couldn’t be happier.
Tiu Laurel is among the 21 government officials retained by President Marcos two weeks after he ordered all Cabinet secretaries and agencies heads to tender their courtesy resignations.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said morale at the DA was “very high,” noting that they had expected Tiu Laurel to be retained because of his performance and strong working relationship with Mr. Marcos.
“The [agriculture] secretary, beyond the P20 (rice program), is truly a working secretary. The P20 (subsidized rice program) is just a bonus for him—what really matters is his working relationship with the President, and when the President gives an order, he will definitely do it,” said de Mesa, also the DA’s spokesperson. —Jordeene B. Lagare
