Hybrids have a long way to go before they come anywhere near catching up with regular internal-combustion cars in the Philippines. Sure, carmakers are able to move a unit here and there, but overall sales are microscopic compared to traditionally powered models.
One vehicle we’d like to see people eventually drive out of showrooms is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. And maybe if the Philippine government could further help car manufacturers make hybrids viable, we can finally keep up with the rest of the world in terms of hybrid sales
Just take a look at Europe. Over there, Mitsubishi managed to sell a total of 26,673 Outlander PHEV units last year. That’s enough to make it the continent’s best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV, and enough to place it second among plug-in hybrids across all segments.
“We are pleased that the Outlander PHEV has been chosen by many customers in Europe where people are highly eco-conscious and the popularity of electrified vehicles is growing rapidly,” Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato said regarding the vehicle’s European success in a statement.
“We are also committed to contributing to the development of a sustainable society with our 2030 target—raising the proportion of electrified vehicles in the total sales to 50% with not only plug-in hybrids but with EVs and hybrid EVs,” he added.
In the Philippines, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV packs a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with 128hp and 199Nm. This mill works with a front electric motor that puts out 60kW and 137Nm of torque, and a rear one with 70kW and 195Nm. Price? A unit will set you back P2,998,000.
