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

April 30, 2017

Centro to Locally Manufacture and Assemble Wing Van Bodies

Centro Manufacturing Corporation has partnered with Japan’s and the world’s number one wing van manufacturer, Nippon Fruehauf Company Ltd. to locally manufacture and assemble the wing van.

After intense speculation coming from Japanese car blogs (such as this one), Mazda has gone on record and confirmed that they are indeed making a 7-seater CX-5. In fact, they’ve released a single teaser image of the production model called the CX-8. The CX-8 will be sold in Japan by the end of 2017 (as early as the third quarter according to some sources).

5 Reasons Why the 2017 BMW X1 is the Ultimate Urban All-Rounder

BMW created a stir when they created the Sport Activity Vehicle or SAV segment in 1999. At the same, premium SUVs were great to drive off the road, but not really good on it. The SAV broke that mold, offering BMW’s famed driving dynamics with a body style the world loved. The BMW X1 is the smallest among them all, and since the second-generation model arrives, here are 5 reasons why it’s the ultimate urban all-rounder.

Nissan Sets Up New Unit to Concentrate on NISMO Road Car Business

After identifying the importance and commitment to expand the NISMO brand, Nissan is formalizing that with the setting up of a new business unit that will cater to the expansion of the NISMO road car as well as its expansion into more markets.

We now know the 2018 Honda Civic Type-R kicks serious ass. It just broke the record for the fastest time for a FWD car around the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife with a lap time of 7 minutes 43.8 seconds. That makes it faster than its most immediate predecessor, the 2015 Civic Type-R. Just how did the record lap look like though? Watch the whole lap through with this on-board video.

Chevrolet Philippines – The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the country, makes its presence stronger in Mindanao with the grand opening of Chevrolet GenSan last March 31, 2017.

Ford Mustang is Once Again Planet Earth's Best-Selling Sports Car

The iconic Ford Mustang has just conquered the world. After being the best-selling sports car in the US over the last 50 years, the original pony car is once again the best-selling sports car on Planet Earth for the second year in a row.

You’re looking at the fastest front-wheel drive that has ever lapped the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. The all-new 2018 Civic Type-R blitzed the challenging track in just 7 minutes and 43.8 seconds—some 6.83 seconds faster than the previous record holder: the 2015 Civic Type-R.

After equipping its Civic 1.8 E with speed-sensing door locks and power folding mirrors, it was just a matter of time when the Civic RS Turbo would get them too. Well, the wait was much shorter than everyone anticipated as Honda Cars Philippines has finally equipped it on its range-topping compact sedan.

Objectively, Honda created the sub-compact crossover segment in the Philippines back in 1999. At first, buyers didn’t warm up to something smaller than a compact crossover, but fast forward to today and they’re considered vogue. They’re a foil to the diesel-powered SUVs, providing more style, driving fun, and urban maneuverability while still giving that added ground clearance that people crave nowadays. More than anything, they’re now seen as the compact sedan’s more fashionable alternative. And while you can buy a Honda Civic or Mazda3 for this sort of money, one can argue that going for either HR-V and the CX-3 is a visible sign that you’ve finally made it. The question is: which one is the fashion leader and which is the fashion follower?

Toyota Motor Philippines is ramping up the excitement this summer as the biggest one-make race (69 racers) in the country gears up once more. The Toyota Vios Cup Season 4 races to the Clark International Speedway for Round 1 this Friday, April 28 to Saturday, April 29. Revised rules and a slew of new celebrity racers will make it a heart-pounding event that both petrol heads and families can enjoy.

Large Gathering of Toyota FJ Cruisers Expected at Pilipinas FJ Summit

Owners and enthusiasts of Toyota’s retro-styled off-roader, the FJ Cruiser, will happen on April 29-30 in Calamba City, Laguna as part of the Pilipinas FJ Summit.

Harley-Davidson of Manila has bagged the Dealer of the Year Award for Asia Emerging Markets (AEM) for 2016. Presented during the AEM Dealer Principal meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Harley-Davidson of Manila won this prestigious honor only after opening in 2013.

Toyota Poised to Open Largest Showroom in Nueva Ecija

Last March marked the beginning of the construction of Toyota Nueva Ecija, the newest showroom location for the number one car brand in the country.

Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) recently turned over twelve (12) new Hino FG8J medium-duty trucks to Dolefil Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (DARBC), the fruit grower behind natural food provider Dole Philippines, Inc.

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines, Inc. (CPI), is enhancing Filipino motorists’ gas-up experience with the introduction of Visa payWave, contactless payment technology. Visa cardholders can wave their cards in front of readers to pay for Caltex fuel with no swiping, signing, or PIN needed.

Discounts, Free PMS Await Kia Picanto and Soul Buyers

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, is offering added savings this summer on the Picanto and Soul with their Sizzling Summer Deals promo.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, brought together experts from the automotive industry and thought leaders from private businesses and multi-lateral organizations in a groundbreaking knowledge forum, dubbed the Hyundai Innovation Congress (iCON), aimed to generate a new culture of innovation in the industry.

The jeepney is a part of Philippine road culture. And while coming up with a vehicle made up of scrap parts may seem like a moment of ingenuity for Filipinos, it’s now facing some challenges thanks to stricter safety and emissions regulations.

Volkswagen Offers Displays, Test Drives at 2 Auto Show at SM MOA Complex This Weekend

Volkswagen Philippines makes two big follow-ups after its recent success at the Manila International Auto Show by participating in two motoring events both located around the SM Mall of Asia Complex this weekend.

Nissan Philippines is getting into the premium full-sized van in a big way (literally) with the 2017 Urvan Premium. On sale to customers starting June 2017, it’s the first Japanese competitor to take on the segment stalwart, the Toyota Hiace GL Grandia. In order to help would-be buyers, we have assembled the 2017 Nissan Urvan Premium, Toyota Hiace GL Grandia, and a dark horse, the Foton View Traveller in this comparison chart.

Nissan Philippines Launches Super-sized Urvan Premium (w/ 15 Photos, Specs)

Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is looking to continue its strong sales momentum well into 2017. Coming from its highest first quarter sales since 2000 (5,277 units sold), NPI is entering into the lucrative premium van segment with the Urvan Premium.

Wards Auto, an American-based organization that has covered the automotive industry for over 80 years has awarded the winners of this year’s 10 Best Interiors. With no restraint on pricing, these 10 vehicles bested 21 other nominees based on the following criteria: aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, materials usage, fit and finish, and user-friendliness.

You’ve seen it at the Manila International Auto Show and now, this is your first chance to drive it. Mazda Philippines is offering the public to try out the all-new 2017 CX-5 crossover for the first time at the STV Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival happening at the SM Mall of Asia this April 20-23.

Subaru Parent Company Changes Its Name

It’s official Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. or FHI is changing its name to reflect its most important brand, Subaru. FHI is no more and in its place is Subaru Corporation. Marking the change last April 1, 2017, renaming ceremonies were held at the company’s head office in Ebisu, Tokyo, and three other Japanese facilities.

Dreams turned into reality for Pampanga-based Marilyn Lagarde when she became the lucky recipient of a brand-new Lexus NX 200t and P 100, 000 worth of Caltex StarCash from Robinsons Rewards and Chevron Philippines Inc.’s (CPI) Christmas promo. The grand prize winner recently received the Lexus NX 200t keys and Caltex StarCash from CPI country chairman Peter Morris and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe during the awarding ceremony at the Lexus Showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

Centro Manufacturing Corporation, one of the country’s leading truck body builders, proved once more that it is the one and only microbus conversion authority.

The opening montage says it all: Kia wants to turn a new chapter with the all-new Picanto. The video, filled with energetic 20-somethings showed them calling friends on their smartphones, getting a latte at a hipster café, and even high-fiving each other as they whip out their foldable bike before hitting a trail nearby. In-between shots of bright cityscape, pearly-white smiles, and occasional lens flare, the Picanto is there zooming and zipping around, doing what these youngsters want to live a happy, fulfilled life.

Isuzu Philippines Holds Truck Fest in Isabela, Next Round Slated for Manila

Strengthening its presence in growth areas outside of the National Capital Region, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently conducted major activities in Isabela.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, closed March 2017 with record sales of 3,371 units, the highest monthly output in the company’s 15-year history. This pushed first quarter sales to 8,841, up by 18 percent as compared to the 7,469 units sold in the same period of 2016.

Isuzu Philippines Awards New mu-X to Lucky Promo Winner

A family woman working as a geologist for a petroleum company has been picked as the lucky winner of a brand-new Isuzu mu-X premium SUV.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. is offering the coolest cash back prizes with Honda’s Summer Splashdown raffle. 100 lucky winners will get a chance to win cash rebates of up to P 100,000.

The 2017 season of the FlatOut Race Series (FORS) is now in full swing as 105 entries took to the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last 1st of April for Round 2.

AVID Members Record 10 Percent Growth in Q1 2017

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) closed the first three months of 2017 on a high note as sales picked up by 10 percent with 23,312 units sold versus the previous year’s 21,160. The continued uptick in industry sales is largely credited on the continued strong consumer appetite for vehicles.

Nissan is continuing to create outrageous one-off of its production vehicles. Following the NV Cargo X, an extreme off-road version of the NV Cargo van, Nissan has come up with the Rogue (Philippine-model X-Trail) Warrior Trail Project.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation has teamed up with leading truck body builder Centro Manufacturing Corporation to donate a Mitsubishi L300 XV microbus to the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) Go Negosyo.

Ah, millennials. You’re an indecisive, crazy bunch and it shows in the vehicles that carmakers have so far come up just for you. Toyota is the latest one to get into this craze with the FT-4X Concept at the New York International Auto Show. And before you dream about this being the next-generation FJ Cruiser, it’s not. Instead, it’s specifically targeted for the urbanite who may somehow end up in a casual, albeit unplanned adventure. There’s no need to climb or summit a mountain, Toyota says. A drive to a scenic point will do.

Look out Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9, there’s a new entry that’s knocking at your door and it comes from Subaru. After being teased as the Viziv-7 Concept a while back, Subaru has shown off the Ascent SUV Concept at the New York International Auto Show. It’s the clearest direction yet at what to expect with Subaru’s large 7-seater SUV.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the Ultimate Speed Sin (w/ 27 Photos)

After countless teases and a starring role in the newest The Fast and the Furious movie, the face melting Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has finally arrived. And as its name suggests, it could spell the end of exclusivity for super high-performance. Doing Vin Diesel proud, the Challenger SRT Demon is the ultimate in straight-line performance with various tweaks, modifications, and enhancements all done for that single purpose.

Mercedes-Benz Philippines gave the three-pointed star sparkle at the recent Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) with 7 different models that prove that Mercedes-Benz can, indeed, suit different lifestyles.

Volkswagen Philippines and Grand Canyon Multi-Holdings, Inc. launched recently the Iloilo dealership at the upper ground level of SM Iloilo along Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue.

The unveil of yet another refresh for its mid-sized Explorer confirms it: 2017 (or maybe even 2018) will be a year of SUV bonanza for Ford. After showing off its all-new aluminum-bodied 2018 Expedition and the refreshed EcoSport in both the US and in Asia-Pacific, the Explorer now gets some tweaks in a bid to boost its appeal to the 35-44 year olds—the mid-sized and large SUV’s biggest demographic.

Foton Philippines Offers Free Service Clinic; Offers Tips to Owners for Worry-Free Drive

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), the official distributor of Foton vehicles in the country is committed to every motorist’s safety and convenience. Just in time for this long weekend, Foton is offering a pre- and post-Holy Week motorists assistance program.

Win Fuel Discounts When You Gas Up with Caltex This Holy Week

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines, Inc., will have another run of their Liter Lottery promo wherein motorists get to a chance to win fuel discounts and other exciting prizes on their full tank.

The refreshed EcoSport is inching its way to an ASEAN and quite possibly, a Philippine reveal very soon as Ford showcased their facelifted sub-compact SUV at its Go Further event in Shanghai, China. The EcoSport’s unveil in China marks the first time it’s been shown in Asia-Pacific. It will also be part of the Ford stand in the upcoming Auto Shanghai motor show.

Driving During an Earthquake? Here's What You Need to Do

As emphasized by the tremors that shook Batangas just a few days ago and felt in Metro Manila, earthquakes can strike anytime. And since there have been warning that the Philippines, particularly those in the capital, should brace for the “big one” what should you do when an earthquake strikes? Sure, earthquake drills—drop, cover, and hold on—have been repeated time and time again, but what if you find yourself on the road?

CTEK CT5 START/STOP is a Must for Vehicles Equipped with Idle Start/Stop Tech

More than ever, the increasingly complex electronics in modern vehicles be it cars, SUVs, or light commercial vehicles, has put more pressure on the charging system. The humble lead-acid battery also known as the SLI (Starting, Lighting, Ignition) battery is now increasingly in the forefront and keeping it in good shape is tantamount to a worry-free, hassle-free motoring experience.

Inspired by the story behind a model that is produced in Asia, for Asia, the latest addition to Nissan’s Steel to Wheels video series features the Navara and emphasizes on the intricacies and passion that goes into making each vehicle.

People agree that the new Mazda MX-5 RF is a sexy looking machine. But now, designers and critics can both agree as this sleek retractable hardtop has just been conveyed with The 2017 Red Dot Award: Best of the Best Award in Production Design. This isn’t the first time the fourth-generation ND model has been bestowed with the honor as the soft top version scooped it up in 2015. This makes the MX-5 an award winner in product design in both hard- and soft top flavors.

Ford Philippines today it delivered an all-time record monthly performance in March with retail sales jumping 37 percent year-over-year to 3,754 units, led by Ford’s Big Three nameplates: Ranger, Everest, and EcoSport. Demand is also strong across its lineup of vehicles.

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