Volkswagen Philippines is now offering a new variant of its best-selling Golf GTS sports wagon, the Highline, to jump start 2018.

Last year was a record year for Bermaz Auto Philippines (BAP), the official distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country. Selling 5,244 units in the full calendar year of 2017, it represents a 28 percent increase in sales compared to the same period in 2016. It is, in fact, Mazda’s best year in terms of sales since BAP took over the Mazda distributorship five years ago.

Nissan Philippines joins the growing list of car companies that have formally announced their new SRP (Suggested Retail Price) taking into account the revised new vehicle excise tax. And like other carmakers, the passage of TRAIN means an increase throughout the line-up, including (surprisingly) the Navara pickup truck.

Forget the Mirage siblings, the Montero Sport is Mitsubishi’s bread-and-butter model in the Philippines. Shifting close to 20,000 units of them last year, the futuristic robot-like styling has become a regular sight on the roads. Above all, it’s opened up the mid-sized SUV category to people who wouldn’t consider them in the first place; people who would usually want something sleek or easy to drive. A week behind the top-of-the-line Montero Sport 4WD GT reveals this: it’s the 7-seater SUV that offers surprisingly good on-road manners, a well-thought-of safety package, and excellent value.

HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI) President, Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, joined peers and fellow Gawad Kalinga (GK) supporters at the 5th Global Social Business Summit, with the theme “Scaling Towards Social Progress” at the Hyundai Center for Green Innovation located in GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan.

With a company slogan that reads “Designed Around You”, Volvo Cars is proud of putting people ahead when it comes to their design and engineering. The lovely 2018 XC40, the Swedish carmaker’s first foray into the premium small crossover market is a perfect example of that.

Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., the regional headquarters of Honda in the Asia & Oceania (A&O) region, announced that they achieved their best-ever automobile sales in 2017 in the A&O region with retail sales reaching 793,636 units, a 12 percent increase from 2016 sales volume of 707,951 units. Honda also set all-time annual sales records in five countries, which are Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Pakistan.

True to the ethos of delivering unrivaled quality service and expertise, Aston Martin Manila organized the inaugural Aston Martin Track Day for the Aston Martin Owners Club – Manila (AMOC-Manila) members at the Clark International Speedway.

Staying at a ryokan is the best way to experience traditional Japanese hospitality. Typically featuring tatami (woodened board) floors and communal baths, guests sleep on futons spread out on the floor. But Nissan is giving one ryokan the modern twist by adding a dash of their ProPILOT Park technology.

With Volvo Cars announcing a bold move to introduce a fully-electrified (hybrid or purely electric) vehicle line-up starting next year, Volvo Cars Philippines has officially confirmed that they will be following this lead by bringing in the T8 Twin Engine technology by the third quarter of this year.

Considered as the backbone of automotive repair and maintenance centers, car lift systems are crucial for maintaining fast and efficient aftersales service. With reliability and dependability being a key element to sustain profitability, investing in the right equipment can make or break a company.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) sales closed the on a positive note as it recorded sales growth across all comparable periods, propelled by the strong consumer appetite ahead of the TRAIN implementation.

After achieving a 48-percent year-on-year increase in sales, Nissan Philippines is now looking to inject some excitement to its line-up. Two years after promising its arrival into the country, NISMO is finally here. And leading the charge is the 2018 Nissan GT-R NISMO, the brand’s highest performance sportscar aimed squarely against high-performance exotic cars.

In a letter addressed to Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Hackett, the US-based Center for Auto Safety is renewing its request for Ford to conduct a full recall of 1.3-million 2011-2017 Explorers because of suspected carbon monoxide leaks. This is the organization’s second call to action, the first being in October 2017 after Ford “failed to take seriously the thousands of consumer complaints which had been filed with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), Ford, and the Center for Auto Safety.”

After being signed as the country’s exclusive distributor of Jaguar Land Rover last November, Coventry Motors Corporation is one step closer to bringing back Jaguar, Land Rover, and Range Rover to discerning Filipino customers.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has revealed the prices of its upcoming 7-seater MPV, the Xpander while also opening the order books from today until April 30, 2018 (the launch will likely be sometime in May 2018).

Cars are an extension of ourselves. Whether we admit it or not, people base their first impressions on our clothing, our shoes, and even our car – it doesn’t have to be new or expensive or flashy, as long as it’s clean, well-maintained, and presentable.

The country’s leading commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturer, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), has just announced its new suggested retail prices (SRP) that take into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), otherwise known as the excise tax.

Okay boys, we know how difficult it is to accompany your significant other when it comes to clothes shopping. Sometimes it takes them half a day, HALF A DAY to look for a top that “fits them just right.” Well, that may be less of a burden now at Forever 21 since they just announced a collaboration with Honda to come up with some racing inspired gear.

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) is confident motorcycle sales will remain strong despite the negative issues affecting the industry, including the rising number of road crashes linked to motorcycle use. The country’s premier group of motorcycle manufacturers, in fact, projects sales will hit 2 million units by 2022 on the back of strong demand.

The Ford Ranger pick-up truck achieved all-time record sales across Asia Pacific in 2017, cementing its place as a leader in the region’s highly competitive mid-size pickup truck segment, with retail sales increasing 22 percent from the prior year to 134,100 vehicles.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), has ended the year 2017 on a very high note as the company achieved its highest annual record sales to date.

Bermaz Auto Philippines (BAP), the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the Philippines joins the lead of other carmakers in announcing new SRPs that take into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

Pop quiz: name a sub-compact crossover. Chances are, the Chevrolet Trax won’t be part of that list. It was far too anonymous to stand out in a segment that values fun and individuality. It was clear that there was a lot of room for improvement. Two years on, here comes the 2018 Trax, a car that addresses some of Chevrolet’s small crossover flaws. Clearly, this is the vehicle that they should have introduced in the first place.

Twenty five years ago, a contract was signed that, in the intervening years, has turned into a real affair of the heart for both parties: all those years ago, Porsche enlisted Walter Röhrl, a four-time winner of the Monte Carlo Rally and two-time Rally World Champion as a developer and representative.

Ford Philippines has confirmed that local units equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment system will have Waze integration in the near future.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has announced the delivery of 26 new Mitsubishi Montero Sport units to the Davao City Police last week.

Eagle-eyed readers would notice the absence of the Forte in Kia Philippines’s latest price list. If there was any wonder to the future of Kia’s compact offering, here’s your answer: an all-new model has arrived.

Volvo Philippines gives due recognition to Bea Alonzo as the company’s chosen Ironmark Awardee in the recently concluded People of the Year Awards. Her achievements in the field of film, television, and the local entertainment industry have caught the admiration and respect of the local authorized distributor and dealer of Volvo cars in the Philippines. Volvo Philippines has given the Ironmark Award since 2012 to outstanding individuals in various fields, including Manny Pacquiao, Dr. Vicky Belo, and Ces Drilon.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has successfully continued its growth with record breaking sales results for the calendar year of 2017. In 2017, sales recorded 31,758 vehicles, up by 37 percent compared to 2016 with 23,199 vehicles.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, closed its 2017 sales with a record-high of 37,678 units, a 12 percent sales growth from 33,695 units in 2016.

BMW Philippines is looking strong this 2018. Under a new distributorship, San Miguel Asia Carmakers Corporation (SMAC), the German luxury carmaker is set to introduce two important Sport Activity Vehicles (BMW talk for SUVs) this year: the all-new X3 and X2.

It’s easy to think that the recent increase in traffic is hindering Filipinos from wanting to own their own car. However, latest data from online classifieds platform OLX  reveals that a vast majority of Filipinos still want to own cars.

With the country’s second-best selling pickup, the Ranger in their line-up, everyone is holding their breath for Ford Philippines to release their vehicle prices taking into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law. Well, the wait is finally over.

Mazda has opened an engine machining factory at its Thai powertrain plant. Located in Chonburi Province, Thailand, the newly installed machining plant and enhancement to its current assembly process will boost Mazda Powertrain Manufacturing Thailand (MPMT)’s annual capacity from 30,000 to 100,000 units.

Recently, there has been much talk about the Jeepney Modernization Program and the push of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to launch 200,000 new PUVs over the next three years.

Suzuki Philippines (SPH) ends 2017, posting a 34 percent year-on-year (YOY) growth and dealership expansions in key cities across the country.

Despite introducing a track-oriented Mustang GT350R, Ford has been losing the horsepower war against the Dodge Challenger Demon and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Well, that’s about to change as Ford teased the “most powerful street-legal Ford ever.” Meet the 700-horsepower Mustang Shelby GT500.

Kia, through its Philippine distributor Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) is the first Korean carmaker to announce their new vehicle prices taking into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law. Taking effect last Monday, January 15, 2018, prices have, surprisingly, remained stable.

Ford presented its plans to streamline operations globally and introduce a slew of new models including 40 electrified vehicles (16 fully electric ones) by 2022. The announcement was made at the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit.

After a banner year for the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) in 2017 where it successfully hosted the very first ASEAN EV Summit, 2018 looks very bright for the domestic EV industry.

With Motor Image Pilipinas’s announcement of an impending price increase due to TRAIN and the end of the high-performance XT model, now would be a good time to snag a brand-new Subaru Forester.

Mazda is the most fuel-efficient brand according to the US-based Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. The annual list, released by the US government agency, sees Asian brands dominating the Top 5 places.

Chosen by a panel of more than 60 jurors from the print, online, and broadcast media across the United States and Canada, the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) was recently announced at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Motor Show).

The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB just threw the rule book at the Transport Network Companies (Uber and Grab to you and me). In a recent press conference, the government agency responsible for land-based public conveyance is reminding both Uber and Grab that they have to phase out non-compliant TNVses in 90 days. With the Memorandum Circular published last December 2, 2017, that sets a March 2, 2018 deadline.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB greeted 2018 with a shocker to Transport Network Companies or TNCs: hatchbacks with a displacement below 1,200-ccs or 1.2-liters (round-ups are okay, according to this report) aren’t allowed anymore as Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) vehicles. Given the LTFRB’s rather unpopular reputation of late, social media lashed out immediately on LTFRB board member and de facto punching bag Atty. Aileen Lizada on the government’s archaic or in their LTO own words, primordial standards. But is there a reason for all this uproar or is the LTFRB simply following the law?

Rumors of the Hyundai Veloster’s demise is greatly exaggerated since the Korean carmaker chose the typically SUV-centric US market to unveil the all-new, second-generation Veloster. Designed collaboratively between Hyundai’s design center in South Korea and the US, the Veloster retains its unique two-plus-one asymmetric body style along with a slew of drivetrain and chassis improvements to up its sportiness.

With the new vehicle excise tax in place, pickup trucks may well be the new “people’s car.” It’s the latest in a series of transformations that’s seen it morph from no-nonsense workhorses to lifestyle playthings. And amidst the usual choices filled with Hilux, Rangers, and D-Max, there’s one that’s worthy of a closer look: the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado.

The Volvo XC60 has been crowned the best-performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.