TOKYO, JAPAN—By the time you read this, I’ll still be somewhere in Japan; perhaps kicking back on a nice cup of hot macha tea while taking in the crisp autumn air or chasing some girls in “cosplay” outfits with a naughty smile pasted on my face. As a people, the Japanese have never failed to amaze me with their ability to combine seemingly opposite ideas and turn them into something uniquely, well, Japanese. Take for instance the very example I pointed out above: amidst the penchant for strict and proper etiquette (tea ceremonies and sumo wrestling matches to name two), you’ve got the colorful world of anime, school girls, and umm, “adult material”. It’s funny and all, but it’s a fact: these two polar opposites make up and perfectly describe Japanese culture.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its lineup of production and concept-model automobiles, motorcycles, power products, and other highlights for its exhibit at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight. (Press days: November 20 - 21, 2013, Public days: November 23 - December 1, 2013).

Photos by Ulysses Ang

“Sports car” and “Hybrid” are not normally used in the same sentence. While a sports car is known for giving its drivers unparalleled thrills at the expense of fuel-efficiency; hybrids return unparalleled fuel-efficiency at the expense of driving thrills. Yet, that didn’t stop Honda from thinking outside of the box and provide a car that’s both thrilling to drive and yet, returns stellar fuel economy. Their concept isn’t without compromise, but it’s the cajones to actually develop and tinker with such an idea that merits the Honda CR-Z a good amount of attention.

The Philippine automotive market’s best-selling model, the Toyota Vios subcompact sedan once again received the much-coveted “Automobile of the Year” title at the Awards Night of the “2012-2013 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards” (AFPCA) held last Thursday, November 7, 2013 at The Venue of the SM Mall of Asia. The Vios accomplished the first ever back-to-back win for the top award in the 9-year history of the AFPCA, which was first launched in 2005.

We'll be at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013 at the Tokyo Big Sight starting today and we'll actually be extending until December 1.

Don't fret though, we've got regularly scheduled updates lined-up this week such as our Tuesday Test Drives and other features. And you can always catch us (@carguideph) on Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our Japan trip. We'll be posting about the show, the cars, the babes, and anything we find interesting in the land of the rising sun.

We'll have in-depth coverage of the Tokyo Motor Show as well as the Los Angeles Motor Show when we return.

Christmas came early for Chevy enthusiasts as they flocked to the Chevrolet Motorama 2013, held at the SM Mall of Asia on November 14-17, 2013. Staying true to Chevrolet’s ingenious spirit, the event was held on the ice skating rink, a first for SM.

At the turn over ceremony in the Music Room of Malacanang Palace were (L-R) Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) General Manager Victor Mhun and Regional Director  Hoo-Keun Kim; Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) President & CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Chairman Edward S. Go, and Chairman Emeritus Richard L. Lee; HE President Benigno C. Aquino III; Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo; and Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Parisya Taradji.

Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation), in solidarity with worldwide efforts at bringing help and hope to the Visayan provinces devastated by super typhoon Yolanda, each donated $ US 300,000 to the Philippine Red Cross. The total donation amounts to $ US600,000 or Php 25-million (M).

At the turnover were (L-R) Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) Chairman of the Board Edward S. Go; Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) Asia and Pacific Regional Headquarters Director Hoo-Keun Kim; Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard J. Gordon; Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) Regional Office President Tae-Jin Park; and Columbian Autocar Corporation Chairman Emeritus  Jose Ch. Alvarez.

The Honda Group of Companies in the Philippines would like to express its deepest sympathy to the flood victims of southwest monsoon rain caused by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). Through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, Honda Foundation, Inc., the local Honda subsidiaries will provide one (1) million ten (10) million Pesos to help assist in the relief and recovery efforts.

UPDATE: Honda has increased its donations. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, Honda Foundation, Inc., the local Honda subsidiaries will provide (5) million Pesos donation and its parent company, Honda Motor Company Ltd (Japan), will also provide five (5) million Pesos assistance through ABS-CBN Foundation to help assist in the relief and recovery efforts.

Travelling is a guilty pleasure for many. People go to foreign places in search for new experiences, immerse in different cultures and try signature cuisines. Italy, known for its beauty and extremely rich art and history, is a dream European destination for the travelers at heart. Pilipinas Shell, in its commitment to provide excellent experience for their customers, launches the WIN AN EXCLUSIVE TRIP TO THE FERRARI FACTORY promo. Starting November 15 until January 31, 2014, Shell customers who avail of Shell V-Power Nitro+ fuels will get a chance to win a trip for two to Italy, including an exclusive tour of the coveted Ferrari factory in Maranello.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) offers its most heartfelt sympathy to those affected by the devastating typhoon that ravaged the Philippines on November 8, 2013.

Last October 26 Round 4 of the Hyundai Lateral Drift Championships made history in drifting by being the biggest floor area and fastest drifted in Metro Manila since drifting started in the Philippines in 2006 by Lateral Drift Productions. This weekend as Round 5 of the 2013 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship series takes off this Saturday, November 16, at the same venue at Aseana City along Roxas Boulevard. This is one fantastic venue to witness the sport of drifting.

Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG capped off the 2013 Formula Masters season with a commanding victory in the series’ finale at the legendary Guia Circuit over the weekend. In the highly prestigious event, the Asian junior Formula series’ Macau Challenge was held in support of the 60th running of the celebrated Macau Grand Prix.

Uplifting and inspirational depictions of personal triumphs and milestones marked the winning entries for the 2014 Vision Petron national student art competition, which were honored in awarding ceremonies held last 10 October 2013 at the Old Senate Hall of the National Museum.

Subaru has just released a teaser shot of the all-new WRX which will be unveiled at the upcoming 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show from November 20.

Toughness in pickup trucks does not just call for off-road prowess or the ability to carry heavy loads, and this concept was underscored by the All-New Isuzu D-MAX in a road trip event.

Nothing stands out on the road more than a sleek and stylish Chevrolet. The brand that has captured the interest of motor heads for over a century has built the passion for the “Bowtie” insignia.

To celebrate 102 years of automotive engineering at its finest, Chevrolet once again pulls out all the stops with the 2013 “Chevrolet Motorama”. Set to take place from November 14 to 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink,.The event promises bucket loads of fun for Chevy fans with awesome entertainment, on-the-spot ownership promos, cool car exhibits, test drives and best of all, the latest and exciting Chevrolet line-up.

Ford Philippines’ sales momentum is showing no signs of slowing, as the company today reported its best-ever October sales and strongest month of the year with overall retail sales of 1,286 units.

The exceptional month was fueled by strong demand for the recently launched new Ford Fiesta, as well as the all-new Ranger and all-new Focus nameplates.

We encountered some slight delays, but we're making up for it with this update of the Philippine Car Price Guide. This month, we're featuring the following new additions:

Ford Philippines has finally completed the Fiesta line-up by introducing the much awaited 1.0 EcoBoost variant. It makes its Philippine debut tonight at the 2013 Auto Focus Motor Show at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. The 2013 Auto Focus Motor Show runs until Sunday, November 10 for the public.

There is only one variant of the new Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost and that comes in the form of the range-topping Sport+. Priced at P 898,000, it's available solely as a 5-door hatchback and can be had in six colors. And confirming rumors, the 1.0 EcoBoost comes with an automatic Power Shift dual clutch transmission.

The official Press Release is available after the break.

The Lexus GX 460 remains a rarity among luxury SUVs, a full-capability model with exceptional off-road prowess, yet with on-road handling and ride quality that epitomize the Lexus brand. The 2014 model gets the signature Lexus spindle grille for a more distinctive appearance, and the change is also functional thanks to the addition of LEDs (light emitting diodes) for the headlamps and daytime running lights (DRLs).

It was a great day to be a Kia loyalist last October 17, 2013 as Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, held a turnover ceremony for the Drive to 20 First Quarter Grand Winner of a brand new Kia Soul.

With the evolution of car engines today, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) provides Filipino motorists with their latest technological innovation by introducing Shell V-Power Nitro+ fuels. These are Shell V-Power Nitro+ Gasoline, Shell V-Power Nitro+ Racing and Shell V-Power Nitro+ Diesel. The fast-acting formula of Shell V-Power Nitro+ fuels are designed to restore and maintain engine performance through active engine protection.

The recently held 4th Round of the Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship Series kept the spectators on the edge of their seats as the drivers leveled up their drifting skills in its new venue, Aseana City along President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque.

If you want to see up close brand new automobiles from all the major vehicle manufacturers and importers and test drive most of them to help you decide which one to buy right on the spot, to possibly own later or to just simply know better and appreciate, the place to go starting on Thursday, November 7 up to Sunday, November 10 is the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

UPDATE: We've included the Official Press Release after the break.

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive Philippine distributor of Chevrolet vehicles has updated their Trailblazer with a slew of changes beginning with the introduction of a new variant: an automatic of its 4x2 LT model.

In line with its numerous Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has turned over a total of P1.5 million to two foundations run by the country’s biggest media networks, with the amount intended for victims of the recent natural calamities.

Mazda’s goal of establishing an all-SKYACTIV lineup in the country takes another step closer to fruition with the Philippine launch of the Mazda CX-5 Pro. The award-winning CX-5 model has been the Japanese carmaker’s best-selling nameplate on the local market since its 2012 launch. Now, this new midlevel variant, which slots in between the CX-5 FWD and the CX-5 AWD Sport, provides crossover buyers another compelling reason to pick Mazda’s entry in the segment by pairing the lower-displacement SKYACTIV-G engine with the i-STOP idling system.

The MediaCorp Subaru Challenge 2013 The Asian Face-Off came to a spectacular end today, with 43-year-old Singaporean Mr. Yusman Wright emerging as champion after a grueling 75 hours 01 minute face off, beating seven-time contestant, also from Singapore, Mr. Sunawr Ali.

The rampant trade of counterfeit motorcycle parts is a growing concern among motorcycle manufacturers in the country. Counterfeiting of motor parts does not only cause economic harm and unfair business practice, it also defrauds consumers and poses danger to public safety.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) recently recognized Honda Cars Iloilo (HCIL), a member of Honda Cars Cebu Group (HCCI), as a “Certified Good Green Dealer” in a ceremony held at their dealership last September 11, 2013.

Atty. Ruel Soriano gets the key to his brand new Volvo XC60. He is flanked by Atty. Wilman C. Pollisco (left), Ateneo Law Class '89 Board of Trustees and Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla (right), President of Scandinavian Motors Corporation, Volvo Philippines and a member of Ateneo Law Class '89. Volvo Philippines was the official partner of the 2013 Ateneo Law Homecoming with the sleek and spirited Volvo XC60 as the grand prize. This event is for the benefit of Ateneo Law School’s scholarship, infrastructure and systems development programs and Ateneo Law Alumni Association Inc.

Lotus F1 team junior racer Marlon Stockinger returned to the track to compete in the World Series by Renault 3.5 Series in Budapest, finishing the three consecutive weekend races in 7th place and a 2nd place finish in the rookie podium.