Halftime show
They say plug-in-hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEV) offer the best of both worlds.
You get the performance, refinement and cheaper fuel costs of a battery EV, but you don’t have to worry about making precise computations to a charging station because you have a gasoline engine as back-up. And given how high fuel costs have soared this year, Filipinos seem to have taken to this innovative duo in droves.
Jetour Auto Philippines is the biggest beneficiary of this trend – the Chinese automaker announced that it was the country’s top PHEV brand in terms of sales from January to June 2026, according to the latest figures from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.
The carmaker said it sold 1,926 PHEV models in that period, which is a staggering 792-percent increase from the same period last year. This makes up the vast majority of the 2,055 units that Jetour Auto Philippines sold in the first half of 2026, representing a 182-percent leap from the first half of 2025.
“Our performance in the first half of 2026 is a reflection of the trust and confidence that more Filipinos continue to place in the JETOUR brand,” said Jetour Auto Philippines managing director Miguelito Jose.
“Around the world, the automotive industry is undergoing one of the greatest transformations in its history,” he added. “At JETOUR, we believe the future does not belong to those who wait for change, but to those who embrace and lead it. Electrification is no longer a distant vision; it is already here, and it is shaping the future of mobility.
T1 number one
Leading the charge is the Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM, which sold 1,272 units from January to June 2026.
Besides its striking looks, this five-seat sport-utility vehicle is powered by a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to a 150-kW electric motor and a 26.7-kWh battery pack. In our tests, we got 33 to 36 kilometers per liter in the city and 20 to 23 kilometers per liter on the expressway, along with a maximum range of 100 kilometers on one full charge.
The T1 Lightning i-DM also has adaptive driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, active braking and rear-cross-traffic alert. Other premium features include a panoramic moonroof, electrically adjustable and air-conditioned front seats with driver’s side memory, a 9-speaker Sony surround-sound system and customizable ambient lighting.
“Having the JETOUR T1 Lightning i-DM recognized as the Philippines’ top-selling PHEV model in the first half of 2026 is a proud achievement for our team and dealer partners,” Jose said. “This achievement shows that Filipino customers have accepted and trusted JETOUR because of our commitment to design, practicality, reliability, and value.”
“We are grateful for the continued support of our customers and partners,” he added. “Moving forward, we remain committed to making electrified mobility more accessible to more Filipinos by providing quality vehicles, reliable aftersales support, and ownership solutions with competitive maintenance costs.”
No time like the present
Building on the strong response to its PHEV lineup, Jetour Auto Philippines said it is encouraging more Filipinos to experience electrified mobility through its ‘Time To Switch. Upgrade to Electric’ campaign.
Besides the best-selling T1 Lightning i-DM, the carmaker also offers the T2 Lightning i-DM SUV, the Dashing Lightning i-DM five-seat crossover and the X70 Lightning i-DM seven-seat crossover.
“We believe there’s never been a better time for Filipino motorists to make the switch to electrified mobility,” said Jose. “Through our ‘Time To Switch. Upgrade to Electric.’ campaign, we want to show customers that owning a PHEV is practical, accessible, and rewarding.”
“More importantly, we want to make this technology available to more Filipino customers through attractive ownership opportunities, dependable aftersales support, and vehicles that deliver long-term value,” he added. “We invite more Filipinos to visit our dealerships and experience why the JETOUR T1 Lightning i-DM has become the preferred choice for customers making the transition to electrified mobility.”
For more information about Jetour Auto Philippines Inc., you may visit their official website at https://jetourautophilippines.com/. You may also visit any of the brand’s 24 dealerships nationwide.
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