January 2017 | CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

January 31, 2017

Volvo Announces Addition of OTA Map Updates, Android Auto for 90 Series Cars

Volvo Cars, has announced several important updates to its 90 series cars, delivering new safety, powertrain and connectivity updates.

Philippine (Auto) Parts Maker Association, formerly known as the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers of the Philippines (MVPMAP), President Ferdinand Raquelsantos has issued statement that the two approved participants of the Philippine government’s CARS (Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy) program, Toyota and Mitsubishi, has ignored Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the awarding of suppliers for the Philippine manufactured Vios and Mirage/Mirage G4. Read the full statement below:

Ford Motor Company today announced overall 2016 retail sales for the ASEAN region rose more than 11 percent from the previous year to a record 115,979 vehicles, marking the fourth consecutive year of record sales in ASEAN.

Ah, the 2017 Civic. Honda is certainly putting a lot of attention back to the compact car segment because it’s a winner in every sense of the word. It’s sleek, well packaged, and ten times more thought of than the model it replaces. And while the vast majority of attention has been taken over by the RS Turbo, the base variant, the 1.8 E, deserves more likes, mentions, and shares. Why? Because it’s actually the better value of the two Civic variants.

Isuzu Philippines Launches 2017 D-Max X-Series (w/ 23 Photos)

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) is injecting a youthful vibe to its best-selling D-Max pickup truck with the market launch of the 2017 D-Max X-Series. It transforms the tough for anything D-Max into a lifestyle vehicle fit for active and dynamic families.

Congress is About to Make Cars More Expensive For You

EDITOR’S NOTE (4): We simulate the prices of 42 vehicles under the final bicameral version of the TRAIN bill. Read it here. (12/14/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (3): The House of Representatives and Senate have agreed on a compromised version of the new vehicle excise tax which excludes pick-up trucks and EVs. See the story here (12/12/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (2): The senate just approved a new version of TRAIN that is friendlier to luxury vehicles. See the full story here. (11/28/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (1): A version of the bill has just passed the House Ways and Means Committee. You can check how it will affect vehicle prices here (5/8/2017).

Late last year, the Department of Finance looked at revising the excise tax on new vehicles initially as a means to curb Manila’s worsening problem. Then, they clarified it’s to increase tax collection. With the government bent on reducing personal income tax, they had to find alternative ways to fund government operations. This is especially true as the current administration is looking at spending big on infrastructure development, something that quite frankly, the previous administration didn’t do.

Chevrolet Philippines Launching 2017 Spark in March

With the market introduction of the value-oriented Sail sub-compact sedan last year, Chevrolet Philippines is bringing back the Spark as a lifestyle-oriented offering that will be packed with features inside and out. Expected to make its Philippine debut in March (perhaps by the Manila International Auto Show or MIAS), the Spark aims to bring fun and sophistication in a class otherwise known for barebones offerings.

Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) is ready to paint the Philippines orange with the kick off their KTM Orange Day Tour event.

Autostrada Motore, official importer of Ferrari and Maserati in the Philippines, delivers full service to its clients with the newly renovated service center located at 3904A Quingua Street, Makati City, just few minutes away from the BGC.

Ford Philippines Hits All-Time Sales Record in 2016

Ford Philippines announced its fourth consecutive year of record sales with 2016 retail sales rising 33 percent from the prior year to 33,688 vehicles, driven by continued strong demand for EcoSport, Everest, and Ranger.

Audi is celebrating a special milestone with the production of its 8 millionth vehicle equipped with quattro drive. Fittingly, the milestone car is a garnet red Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro that rolled off the production line at the company’s new plant in San José Chiapa.

Porsche is expanding the 911 family with the introduction of the new GTS range. In fact, Porsche Philippines wasted no time and is already taking orders for the 911 GTS. As a refresher, the GTS sits atop the Carrera S and features more power and higher equipment levels than the Carrera S.

Experience Built Ford Tough at the Island Conquest Arena

Ford Philippines today announced its ‘Ford Island Conquest’ event at the Festival Supermall parking lot from January 27-29, with an all-in-one custom arena where customers can test drive Ford’s best-selling vehicles in one venue.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) is opening 2017 with the introduction of a 15-seater variant of its best-selling Grand Starex MPV. As a response to the fast-growing commuting needs of mobile Filipinos, the Grand Starex Super Express combines comfort and practicality in one easy-to-own package.

With the prevalence of aggressive motorists and erring traffic enforcers, it’s now essential to have a “third eye” constantly on the lookout for you. Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) or more commonly known as dash cams have now become a must-have car accessory. Considering this, opting for a dependable, full high-definition dash cam is the only way to go.

Give Free Uber Rides this Chinese New Year

This Chinese New Year, Uber is making ride sharing much easier. Starting today in the Philippines and across eight other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Uber riders and driver-partners will be able to send free trips to family and friends wrapped inside a virtual Red Packet or ampao emblazoned with a customized greeting.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is issuing a statement in order to clarify confusion and misreporting that has arisen in certain media around the world, following recent statements issued by Rolls‑Royce plc.

After the countless teases, Ford has finally released solid performance numbers for its all-new Ford GT supercar. And yes, it’s faster than a McLaren 675LT and a Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Say it ain’t true, but if they are, you’re just staring at the all-new Mitsubishi Eclipse. Wait—isn’t the Eclipse supposed to be a sporty two-door coupe with a turbocharged 4G63 engine? Well, in 1990s yes. But this is 2017 and Mitsubishi’s about to slap on that nameplate on a…crossover.

Mazda’s global head of PR, Mr. Hidetoshi Kudo was recently in Manila to offer his support to Mazda Philippines (Bermaz Auto Philippines)’s efforts to grow the brand in both sales and recognition locally. Despite his busy schedule, including a fun-run with the Miata Club, he sat down with us to answer our questions. And true to his promise, nothing was off limits and nothing was answered with “no comment.”

Mitsubishi Philippines Introduces MIVEC Diesel-Equipped Strada GLS 2WD (w/ Brochure)

Already in our Monthly Car Price Guide earlier this month (in automatic guise at least), Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is spearheading the shift to clean diesel technology with the launch of a new Strada pickup truck variant that comes equipped with the 4N15 MIVEC engine. Once exclusive to the top-of-the-line Strada GT and automatic equipped 2WD A/T variant, this engine is finally paired to a 2WD drivetrain and a manual gearbox.

In time for The Lego Batman Movie which shows on February 10 in the US (February 9 in the Philippines), Chevrolet along with students from Detroit’s Cody Rouge community, A World in Motion, and First Lego League unveiled a live-size Lego Batmobile made of more than 340,000 Lego bricks.

Mio, a subsidiary of MiTAC International Corp., officially introduces their latest MiVue series of dashboard cameras in the Philippines, featuring Super High Definition video recording quality and F1.8 (F2.0 in some models) aperture to provide clearer and wider-angle video while on the road. The latest Mio MiVue series consists of 3 premium dash cam models: Mio MiVue C320, 698, and 658 WiFi.

Go ahead and stare as hard as you can. No matter how good you are in playing “Spot the Difference”, you will never be able to tell the 2017 Vios and Yaris apart from their refreshed versions. Save for the now standard side skirt and rear lip spoiler on the Vios 1.5G (and some new colors), these two sub-compact cars look unchanged from the models Toyota Motor Philippines launched four years ago. Or are they? Pop the hood and you’ll see the words, “Dual VVT-i” embossed on the now silver-colored engine cover. This is where all that change is concentrated in and it makes a world of difference.

Get the Volvo XC60 and XC90 At Up to P 500,000 Off!

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Volvo Philippines is giving up to P 500,000.00 discount on select XC60 and XC90 units on stock this month. This rare half-a-million offer is definitely a treat to Volvo aficionados who are interested in buying a Volvo XC60 or Volvo XC90 luxury SUV.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. welcomes the new year with Everybody Wins this 2017 Campaign for customers who will inquire, test drive, reserve and purchase a brand new Honda vehicle from now to January 31, 2017.

As the entire nation is reacting to the recklessness that caused grave injury (and according to some sources, fatalities) at the 12th BOSS Ironman Challenge this year, one question remains: just how fast is fast? This year, the organizers used a tracking chip/device to follow the progress of the participants. Though the live tracker is now offline (for obvious reasons), a source did reveal that the fastest two-wheeled finisher, a Ducati MultiStrada 1200 Enduro clocked an average speed of 115 km/h. Meanwhile, the fastest four-wheeled finisher is a Peugeot 208 GTi doing 89 km/h.

7 Reasons Why the Honda BR-V is Perfect for Road Trips

With over 2,100 reservations and 700 units already in the hands of owners, the BR-V is fast becoming one of Honda Cars Philippines’s best-selling models. Already making a name for itself by being the country’s most affordable 7-seater SUV (or crossover if you prefer), the BR-V has touted its young and sporty design, family-oriented features, and unparalleled utility.

Petron's Viber Sticker Set is All About Positive Vibes

Looking for new ways to express yourself in your Viber chats? Oil industry leader Petron Corporation has just released its set of Petron Best Day stickers, downloadable for free on your Viber from the Viber sticker market.

The Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) and Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement last January 17, 2017 at the Palms Country Club in Alabang.

Michelin Philippines has come out with a peculiar PR campaign advocating that there’s nothing wrong with using older tires. The French tire brand, through their Philippine office says that the DOT (the numeric code signifying the tire’s fabrication date) doesn’t dictate the safety of a tire, but rather proper tire maintenance. In fact, they’ve come up with a witty campaign for it: Tires are Not Bananas. Unfortunately, for motorists that’s not the entire truth.

AVID Caps Off 2016 with 60 Percent Growth

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) annual sales remarkably grew by 60 percent in 2016, totaling 93,179 units. Fourth Quarter sales capped off to an impressive year as it climbed by 26 percent with 24,434 units from 19,374 units in the same period in 2015.

Last weekend, a post on Facebook went viral showing a road crash that occurred during the 24-hour, 1,200-kilometer BOSS Ironman Challenge held in Central and Northern Luzon last Saturday. The incident prompted the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) to warn the public once more about the dangers of illegal road races.

Driver focus and attention are key in cars with high-performance and that’s why Ford is going with all-digital instruments in its all-new Ford GT supercar. This set-up quickly and easily presents information to the driver based on five special driving modes.

The Mustang, the world’s best-selling sports coupe gets a host of improvements that make it the most advanced Pony Car from Ford ever. The improvements include more powerful engines, better handling, and a host of both technological and aesthetic improvements to offer even more customization to Mustang owners.

LTO to Implement DIY Registration for Motor Vehicles

The Land Transportation Office or LTO just signed Administrative Order 2017-035 which aims to streamline the car registration process by allowing dealers to report motor vehicle sales via a “Do-It-Yourself” or DIY system.

Is Subaru finally killing off its 6-cylinder engine? When quizzed at the 2017 Impreza launch about the flexibility of their all-new Subaru Global Platform, the answer from Subaru engineers present seem to be in the affirmative.

In an exclusive interview with Nikkei, Mazda is moving forward with the development of its next-generation of powertrains which will debut with the 2018 Mazda3 (Axela in Japan). The Hiroshima-based carmaker is targeting a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency over the current Skyactiv thanks to an innovative new engine technology.

It’s not every day you have a committed man thinking of having an illicit affair, but that’s exactly what happened when I got introduced to the shapely new 2017 Subaru Impreza. As a proud owner of an immaculate 2008 model (the rare hatchback no less), I’ve always found it difficult to find a suitable replacement to her charms. After every test drive, I always come back to my beloved Empress’s sweet embrace and I think to myself: ‘till death do us part. That is until I met Empress’s sultry younger sister.

Prosperous Beginnings with Audi Driving Weekend Happening This January 21-22

Audi Philippines welcomes the Lunar New Year with the Audi Driving Weekend, wishing guests good luck and prosperous beginnings for the year ahead. Happening from January 21 to 22, 2017 at the Audi Pavilion, located at 30th Street corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Audi Philippines invites everyone to experience what the Ingolstadt, Germany-based luxury car brand is all about.

Attributed mainly to the steadily rising demand for automotive vehicles in the country, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, hit record sales ending the year 2016. Hyundai closed its Full Year 2016 sales with a 53 percent growth as compared to the previous year. Vehicle sales reached 8,674 units in the 4th Quarter alone, equating to a 62 percent Year-on-Year increase.

EDITOR’S NOTE (6): We simulate the prices of 42 vehicles under the final bicameral version of the TRAIN bill. Read it here. (12/14/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (5): The House of Representatives and Senate have agreed on a compromised version of the new vehicle excise tax which excludes pick-up trucks and EVs. See the story here (12/12/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (4): The senate just approved a new version of TRAIN that is friendlier to luxury vehicles. See the full story here. (11/28/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (3): A version of the bill has just passed the House Ways and Means Committee. You can check how it will affect vehicle prices here (5/8/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (2): We have put up a comparative study of this Department of Finance proposal versus House Bill 4774. You can check out the story here (1/29/2017).

EDITOR’S NOTE (1): This report pertains to the Department of Finance’s initial recommendation to increase the excise tax on new vehicles. A new version, House Bill 4774 is being considered as well. In both cases, it’s important to know that NOTHING IS FINAL. The pricing scenario here may change once the law has been passed. Regardless, we will update this with a more detailed breakdown once that happens (1/25/2017).

This will be the biggest motoring headline for 2017 and one that will have a long lasting repercussion for the entire automotive industry. With the automotive industry enjoying a robust double-digit growth during the past few years, a new regulation is being proposed that may curtail this growth. This regulation is the proposed change to the current vehicle excise tax.

Autohub Group Committed to Improving Workforce Skills

The Autohub Group is committed to upgrading the skills and standards of its workforce by becoming an Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) Certified Institution. As the only international automotive awarding organization, IMI works with government and industry leaders across the world to improve training standards and skills within the sector.

Pilipinas Shell solidifies its position as the official fuels partner and aftermarket lubricant supplier of BMW as it renews its collaboration with Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and service provider of the premium automotive brand. Strengthening the alliance built in 2014, Shell continues its part in powering an improved driving experience for Filipino BMW drivers through its Shell-manufactured BMW engine oils.

Petron is the Official Fuel of 12th BOSS Ironman Challenge 2017

Petron Corporation is continuing its support for the ultimate motorsport endurance event, the BOSS Ironman Challenge. Founded by the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS), the challenge is the first of its kind to be organized in the country, debuting in 2005.

Ushering in the Year of the Rooster, Foton Philippines is offering special low down offers on all its best-selling vehicles: View, Gratour, Toplander, and Thunder to welcome in the New Year.

Since the Subaru XV is essentially a raised and macho-fied Impreza hatchback, it’s almost possible to not to talk about it during the ASEAN market 2017 Impreza launch. At a media roundtable with Mr. Glenn Tan, Executive Director of Tan Chong International Ltd, the parent company of Motor Image, revealed some interesting facts about the all-new Subaru XV.

With the Philippine launch of the 2017 Subaru Impreza still two months away, information about it will slowly trickle into the internet. We discussed what makes the all-new Impreza so impressive, we also took a closer look at the Impreza tS, we also took is for a spin. Now, we got our hands on what could be the preliminary Philippine specs of the 2017 Impreza. We say it’s preliminary because it’s based on the model which distributor Motor Image has committed to three counties: Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines. There could be some minor tweaking here and there, but expect the major specs to remain solid.

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