April 2018 | CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

April 30, 2018

UPDATED: BMW Philippines Launches the 2018 X2 (w/ 13 Photos, Brochure)

UPDATE: We included the brochure below (5/2).

Crossovers are a dime a dozen these days and for most brands, this is the direction to take. It’s no different for BMW. The German carmaker has officially launched the much-anticipated new member of its X family, the first-ever 2018 BMW X2.

2018 Mazda Miata Cup is a Go!

The 2018 season of the Miata Cup takes off this April as members of the Miata Club Philippines race for championship points in the five different classes of the series. The first two rounds of the season were held at the Clark International Speedway.

Assemble the Avengers with These Exclusive Petron Collectibles

In partnership with Marvel Studios’ Avengers Infinity War, Petron is offering avid collectors the opportunity to start another collection with their Avengers Infinity War Desk Collectibles. Made from high-quality die-cast metal, these collectibles are highly functional and very affordable.

Suzuki Philippines (SPH) finishes the first quarter of 2018 with the highest year-to-date (YTD) vehicle sales in the entire Philippine automotive industry.

After all the negative flack diesel has been receiving, particularly in Europe, Bosch says they’ve developed the technology that can potentially save it. A report by Bloomberg News says that the German company has made a way to cut diesel emissions to meet the stringent 2020 legal limits.

Nissan is taking its “tough and smart” Navara to the next level with the Navara OFF-ROADER AT32. Sold in European markets, the Navara OFF-ROADER AT32 is a factory-modified version of Nissan’s venerable pickup truck complete with a warranty.

Ford Australia has been slapped with a AUD 10 million (~ PHP 393 million) fine by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) for the company’s “unconscionable conduct” for failing to address complaints over its PowerShift automatic transmission.

Ford Pulling Out of Passenger Car Market to Concentrate on SUVs, Pick-Ups

In a bid to reach an 8 percent profit margin by 2020, Ford is looking to save some USD 11.5 billion (~PHP 600 billion) and plans to axe most of its passenger car line-up (at least for North America) including the Fiesta and Focus.

This isn’t your ordinary Nissan Sylphy. Unveiled at Auto China 2018, this is their latest vehicle after the all-new Leaf that bolsters their aggressive EV plan. This is Nissan’s first-ever electric car made in China for Chinese consumers.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) continues on its path towards modernity. Just a few days after they’ve announced the capability to produce the long-delayed vehicle number plates, the government agency has finally entered the digital age by giving people the chance to renew their driver’s license and vehicle registration online.

Honda's Small RS Concept Previews All-New, Second-Gen Brio

It looks like Honda’s ready to “RS” everything. The “Road Sailing” badge, introduced as the top-of-the-line and often sportiest variant of the Jazz, Mobilio, and Civic will now find its way onto the brand’s smallest passenger car, the Brio.

Hyundai has confirmed that a pick-up truck is still on a table after showing off the Santa Cruz Concept at the 2015 North American International Auto Show. However, a report by Motor Trend says that the production model will somewhat differ from the concept truck that took the world by surprise 3 years ago.

Hino Philippines Showing Off Modern PUV Prototypes Too

Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the Philippines, showcased its modern jeepney prototypes at the recently concluded Public Transport Modernization Expo organized by the Department of Transportation.

The death of the Mitsubishi Lancer nameplate may be short-lived if a report from Auto Express is accurate. The website reports that like the Eclipse, the Lancer nameplate may comeback but slapped on the black of a crossover.

“The Power to Surprise” is a tagline used by one Korean carmaker and sadly, that’s not SsangYong. See, with the sort of vehicles they’ve been coming up with—well-designed, capable, great value for money, SsangYong’s the carmaker that has every right to use that slogan. Case in point is the 2018 Tivoli XLV, pretty much one of the better small crossovers money can buy today.

Ambitious Bridge Project to Link Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao Possible Thanks in Part to TRAIN

The Duterte administration plans to link the country’s three major islands—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with an ambitious 8-bridge project. This announcement was made by the Department of Finance and says that the project aims to “further stimulate growth and create jobs outside Metro Manila.”

Prestone may be a familiar name in keeping your car cool (radiator coolant) or stopping it (brake fluid), but this time, they want to become a household name in engine lubrication as well. With that, Prestone Philippines launches a line of gasoline and diesel engine oils meant for people who “want to do more and experience more.”

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation (SMCACDC), the exclusive importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines invites people to rediscover joy as they hold the BMW Joyfest 2018 from Saturday, April 28 to Sunday, April 29 at the specially constructed BMW Pavilion on 9th Avenue corner 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official Philippine distributor of Hyundai vehicles, inaugurated the Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines (HDCP), a world-class training and education hub for underprivileged Filipino youth last week at the Hyundai Logistics Center (HLC) in Calamba, Laguna.

A Word on Mazda's Design

Keyboard warriors (at least on this site) complain that all Mazda cars all look alike. So, in order to confirm (or deny) that, we’ll put that to the test. Here, we’re putting each of Mazda’s core models—the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, and CX-5 side-by-side to see if they’re all just enlargements or reductions of the same thing.

This is the All-New, 2nd Generation Honda Amaze

There’s no love lost for diesel at Honda. Just as the rest of the world is turning away from using diesel in their cars, Honda is diving straight into the deep in, particularly in developing markets such as India. This time, it’s with the all-new, second-generation Amaze sedan.

The Ertiga introduced the Suzuki brand to many customers, particularly those wanting a good handing but practical small MPV. Naturally, the Japanese carmaker pulled all the stops as it introduced the all-new 2018 Suzuki Ertiga at the Indonesia International Motor Show.

Mazda Engineers Recognized for Work on G-Vectoring Control

Five Mazda engineers were recognized by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers for their development of G-Vectoring Control or GVC technology.

It’s great going global: Ford reported that one-third of Mustang sales occurred in export markets, cementing the pony car as the world’s best-selling sports coupe in the world for the third straight year.

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman,” a wise insight from Melinda Gates. In this time where women’s voices are louder, when women are demanding to be heard, it’s important to listen.

Coming from a successful season opener last month, the Petron FlatOut Race Series (Petron FORS) returned to the Clark International Speedway with an even bigger field of competitors for Round 2 of the 2018 season.

Ferrari Philippines Launches 812 Superfast (w/ Specs)

The Ferrari 812 Superfast officially made its debut in Philippines today, after one year, since its International Premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2017.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country bucks the TRAIN trend and actually grows passenger car sales for the first quarter of 2018.

Ford Philippines recognized its top performing dealers at the recent Ford Annual Dealer Convention held at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang attended by Ford executives, dealer principals, and their respective team members.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has become the quintessential ride of VIPs, politicians, and drug lords (both exclusive and mutual), but in the United Kingdom, it’s now known as a delivery van?!

Foton Philippines Unveils Next-Generation Tractor Head (w/ Specs)

United Asia Automotive Group (UAAGI), the official distributor of Foton vehicles in the country, unveiled the Foton Energy Super Truck or EST tractor head.

The Chevrolet Philippines Team is composed of (from Left to Right): Harold Fermin, Darwin Paras, Trendy Anne Tamayo, Maribel Pilapil, Darell Poblete, Ely Catacutan.

Chevrolet Training Academy recently conducted a Regional Skills Contest for its top technicians, sales consultants and service advisors from its dealerships in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia at the Chevrolet Training Center in Bangkok.

The automotive industry suffered a slowdown to the effects of TRAIN. Just as the CAMPI-TMA’s joint report indicates an 8.5 year-to-date (January to March) decrease in sales compared to the same period in 2017, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors or AVID reports the same.

Alfa Romeo Philippines? Not So Fast Says FCA

After we broke the news about Alfa Romeo’s return to the Philippine market, it seemed too good to be true. And it is. A spokesperson from FCA, the parent company of Alfa Romeo sent us this official statement:

Last month, Ford Philippines announced a reduction in the price of the Scheduled Service Maintenance aka Periodic Maintenance Service of their three most popular models: the EcoSport, Ranger, and Everest. With the program now rolling out to all authorized Ford dealerships nationwide, Ford has finally provided a more detailed breakdown on a per service interval basis.

Volkswagen is going to change its logo, reports Bloomberg, as the company wants to turn a new chapter after its diesel-cheating scandal. It will be unveiled next year according to Jochen Sengpiehl, the brand’s chief marketing officer in the midst of an aggressive rollout of electric vehicles.

The outside temperature gauge read 38 degrees Celsius and the climate control, set at cozy 22 degrees Celsius was struggling with the heat. One starts to wonder: if the CX-9 was already having difficulty maintaining the temperature inside, how much more in the engine bay? Fitted with the first turbocharged Skyactiv-G engine, the engine temperature kept on rising—middle, slightly above middle, and finally three-quarters to red. This impromptu road trip, it seems, could spell vindication or disaster for the much-vaunted Mazda CX-9.

Are You Willing to Buy the World's Only Convertible Toyota FJ Cruiser?

Ever imagine how a Toyota FJ Cruiser would look like as a convertible? Well, wonder no more.

In a recent Congressional hearing of the Committee on Metro Manila Development chaired by Congressman Winston Castelo, Undersecretary Tim Orbos of the Department of Transportation emphasized that reaching Euro 4 emissions compliance isn’t just about changing engines.

Suzuki Philippines (SPH) continues to expand its market footprint outside Metro Manila with the opening of a new 3S dealership in Santiago City, Isabela.

Happlyplus Card Holders to Get Triple Points at Caltex

From April 15 to June 15, 2018, motorists fueling up in participating Caltex stations will receive three times the Happyplus points for every single receipt purchase of P 500 worth of Caltex fuels.

The Federal Tires King of Nations ProSeries, the biggest and most highly anticipated international drifting championship event in the world is coming to Manila. Dubbed KONPH2018 (King of Nations PH 2018), the event is slated at the Clark International Speedway from May 25-27, 2018.

Ford Philippines is reporting that the Ranger, EcoSport, and Everest led their March 2018 retail sales accounting for 97 percent of the brand’s total sales. Combined, Ford’s so-called “big three” brought in 1,795 out of 1,951-unit sales for the month.

This is not a drill. After 25 years of absence from the Philippine market, Alfa Romeo is coming back into the country under a new distributor.

Mazda's Skyactiv-X Wins First Award (And It's Not Even Out in the Market Yet)

Mazda Motor Corporation has been awarded Gold at the Edison Awards for its breakthrough Skyactiv-X compression-ignition engine. Skyactiv-X, the world’s first commercially available compression-ignition engine, took top honors in the Engine Enhancements category, competing against other technologies in automotive, heavy transportation and aerospace industries, among others.

Petron has had it with the technical mumbo-jumbo. While its competitors are busy marketing highfaluting trademarks and what have you, the country’s largest oil refining and marketing company is looking to improve its fuels’ real-world advantage.

UPDATE: Vehicle importers (AVID) also suffers loses for Q1 2018 (4/19).

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) (aka the revised excise tax law) has finally reared its ugly head as evidenced in the Q1 2018 joint CAMPI-TMA sales report. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturer’s Association (TMA) reports that new automobile sales are down 8.5 percent year-to-date (January to March 2018 versus January to March 2017).

Nissan Officially Launches Terra SUV (w/ Videos)

The new Nissan Terra, a body-on-frame SUV designed and built in China to meet growing market demand for 4x4 vehicles, went on sale there today. It’s the first frame-based SUV launched under Nissan’s midterm plan, Nissan M.O.V.E to 2022.

Want to check out the best deals on Volkswagen vehicles? Head over to the 2018 edition of the VWorld Weekend happening at two locations simultaneously this Saturday, April 14 to Sunday, April 15.

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