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

September 30, 2018

Porsche Says Goodbye to Diesels

Hit by scandals revolving around its diesel engines, Porsche has announced that they will no longer offer this oil burning powerplant. Instead, the German sportscar maker will double down on its electrified offensive, led by its upcoming Taycan EV.

Remember the Chevrolet Orlando, the Cruze-based compact MPV? Well, there’s a chance it’ll come back once more if Chevrolet Philippines decides to get the second-generation one from SAIC-GM—the same source of the local market Sail sub-compact sedan.

Hyundai to Develop Its Own Spark-Compression Gasoline Engine

Mazda’s Skyactiv-X may soon have a competitor. Hyundai has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy with a USD 4.95 million (~ P 267 billion) over 3 years to conduct research and development for “an advanced mixed-mode gasoline spark/compression ignition engine.”

Tourists going to Japan may have to say goodbye to one of Tokyo and Osaka’s eponymous tourist attractions: dressing up as Mario or Luigi while driving around in a go-kart.

As Ford celebrates 100 years of continuous production at its Rouge assembly plant in Detroit, Ford CEO Jim Hackett is leveraging partnerships to help the American carmaker survive to the next one hundred.

Continuing Nissan’s move to “NISMO everything,” the Japanese carmaker launched the Note e-POWER NISMO S for the Japanese market. This time, aside from aesthetics and handling improvements expected from the NISMO badge, they have finally eked out an additional 25 percent more power and torque compared to the regular Note e-POWER NISMO.

Video: Ford Mustang Takes On Nurburging...Sideways

Every car manufacturer has something to prove over at the Nurburgring—breaking records and, in the process, pissing higher than the “other guy.” So, Ford Performance decided to do something quite different when they brought over a special Mustang to the Green Hell. Have it go sideways.

The Philippine flag flew proud at the Fuji International Speedway as a Filipino finished first in his class and fifth overall at the Mazda Fan Endurance Race at the Fuji International Speedway.

For the past three years, The Philippine Rallycross Series (PRS) has been reviving dirt track racing. Starting with just a field of just 10 participants, the PRS has grown to 60 participants during the latest ground.

Honda Just Refreshed the Civic in the US; Asia-Pacific Markets Sure to Follow

In a bid to cement its success as the leading compact sedan, Honda has refreshed the 10th-generation Civic for the 2019 model year. Launching in the US by the end of this year, expect the same aesthetic changes to make its way to the Asia-Pacific market sometime next year.

Do you think you have what it takes to squeeze out the most mileage from the Isuzu mu-X SUV or D-MAX pickup? If you do, then head on over to your nearest Isuzu dealership and pit your fuel efficiency skills against other drivers in Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s “2018 Isuzu Fuel Eco Challenge”. You might just win for yourself valuable fuel vouchers, or an all-expense-paid trip to Thailand for you and your companion.

The unmistakable shrill of the Mazda 787B was audible long before it hit the start/finish straight. Then, as the iconic orange and green 1991 Le Mans winning car became visible, its wail permeated every inch of the Fuji International Speedway. Looking around the grandstands and the pitlane, no one was covering their ears; everyone was taking this full sensory experience in. It was music to their ears. It was, undoubtedly, a fitting finale to Mazda’s “Be A Driver Experience.”

Review: 2018 Toyota Rush 1.5 G TRD Sportivo

I honestly wanted to like the Toyota Rush, I really did. Given how late it entered the sub-compact SUV segment and given all the resources Toyota had in its disposal, it’s the one that’s supposed to turn the market upside down; it’s the one that’s supposed to make everyone quiver with fear. But it doesn’t; not even in the slightest. More than anything, it actually reminds you just how good everyone else’s is.

New Names Round Up Winners of Subaru Palm Challenge: Philippine Face-Off

Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, congratulates the individuals who successfully made it through the 2018 Subaru Palm Challenge: Philippine Face-Off last September 22.

Volvo Cars maintains a strong sales momentum into the second half of 2018, with global sales up 15 percent in July, compared with the same month last year. The company sold a total of 50,931 cars in July, as sales grew in all main markets.

After being slapped with Australia’s largest fine levied against a carmaker due to its defective PowerShift dual clutch transmission, Ford just got hit with yet another fine, this time in Thailand for the very same issue. A report from the Associated Press says a Thai court has ordered Ford to pay 291 customers a total of USD 720,000 (~ P 39 million).

e-EVOLUTION Concept to Headline Mitsubishi Philippines's Exhibit at PIMS 2018

The 7th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), one of the country’s biggest motor shows is set to happen from October 24 to 28, 2018 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is pleased to announce its participation in this most anticipated motor show of the year.

When it comes to performance Mazda cars, no one knows them better than Nobuhiro Yamamoto. Yamamoto-san is instrumental in transforming them from a maker of mediocre cars to one brimming with passion. One of his realizations is that Mazda’s soul is intertwined with the rotary engine—a powertrain which the Hiroshima-based carmaker dabbled in 1967 only to almost abandon the technology 6 years later.

There’s a new pitstop for motorists coming from or going to Palawan airport or its port area, as Caltex opens another station along South Road in Bgy. Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City. This makes a total of 17 Caltex stations straddling the 450-kilometer long island of Palawan.

Nissan showed latest “embodiment of Nissan Intelligent Mobility” with its unique Navara Dark Sky Concept.

Mazda has always worn unconventionality on its sleeve. From its hard headedness to bring the rotary engine to life to the development of Skyactiv—a high-compression gasoline engine, the carmaker has always thrown curve ball after curve ball in everything that they do. It shouldn’t come as a surprise therefore that the same philosophy—defying convention—applies even to their motorsports program as well.

Mazda Philippines Will Soon Sell First-Generation MX-5 Parts

In August 2017, Mazda joined the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Porsche in offering a restoration program for their iconic models. Naturally, the first model to benefit from this is the first-generation Roadster (aka MX-5 or Miata).

Ford Philippines unveiled the new 2019 Ford Ranger, an even tougher and more capable version of its segment-defining pick-up truck equipped with enhanced power, performance, and smart and safe features. The launch included the much-anticipated first-ever Ranger Raptor, Ford’s high-speed, off-road, performance pick-up truck.

You’re behind the steering wheel, cruising into an exciting new world of driving. But in today’s crowded cities, it can be a dangerous world, too. Traffic is hectic, distractions are all around and other drivers and pedestrians can behave unpredictably. While being in a car can feel safer than riding on a scooter, you’re only as safe as your actions.

In support to the Philippine Red Cross and to promote health awareness to its employees, United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), the exclusive distributor of Foton vehicles in the country, facilitated a bloodletting activity in its offices in Quezon City and Valenzuela last August.

Has the Ford Ranger Lost Its Mojo?

Confused marketing, lackluster communication, or just a case of an older model being phased out. Whatever the reason, Ford lost out big time in the month of August. They slipped big time in the pickup truck segment where the class-leading Ranger should have been the runaway sales leader.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc (HCPI) is holding the Honda Auto Expo display at Ayala Malls Trinoma this September 21-27, 2018.

Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) has posted record monthly sales in August with an all-time high of 4,500 units sold, moving the brand to the industry’s number three position.

The price of oil is 50 percent higher than a year ago, and in many Southeast Asia countries, especially the Philippines, core inflation is rising too. While governments across the regions scramble to provide relief to consumers through fuel subsidies, customers can also help themselves with these fuel-saving tips.

Foton Philippines Holds Outreach in Pampanga

Foton Motor Philippines, Inc. held relief operations under its “Tulong Mula Sa Puso” initiative to help the calamity-stricken residents of Guagua, Pampanga last August 24, 2018.

Ah, Australia. They typically come up with the weirdest and most insane things. Case in point: this Hyundai Santa Fe convertible.

Mitsubishi and Nissan, together with their alliance partner, Renault announced that they will start embedding the Google Android operating system into their vehicles starting 2021.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, has consistently maintained a conservative growth trajectory for 2018. Sales in August was the third best performing month for the brand with 2,9867 units sold.

Isuzu Celebrates Modern Day Heroes by Offering Discounts of Up to P 30,000

As a way of showing its appreciation to the millions of tireless overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has launched its ”Isuzu Kababayan Promo” that would give generous cash discounts to OFWs who will purchase an Isuzu mu-X and/or an Isuzu D-MAX (except the Flexiqube variant) between the period of September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

UPDATED: Here is the 2019 Mitsubishi Strada (11/09).

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is celebrating 40 years of pickup truck success by teasing what they call “the future of the pickup truck.” Expected to be launched late 2018 globally as a 2019 model, the Strada now gains the familiar Dynamic Shield front-end design seen in the Montero Sport and Xpander.

Let’s say for a minute that 2017 didn’t happen. With that, Trump wasn’t sworn as the US President, #MeToo didn’t happen, and Volkswagen Philippines never showed the second-generation Tiguan. Alas, history has been written and no one could go back in time; well, perhaps except for the people over at VW. See, this is the 2018 Tiguan—a model that erases the existence of the current-for-the-world Tiguan and instead gives people back the first-generation one.

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet vehicles and parts in the Philippines, introduces the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado High Country Storm.

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Announces Airbag Recall for 6 Models

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC), attuned with the directive of its principal, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan, will conduct a safety inspection campaign on selected units of Lancer, Lancer Evolution IX, Fuzion, L200, Strada, and Pajero models.

If your favorite car manufacturer still isn’t offering any sort of smartphone mirroring functionality in their cars, then they’re being left behind. That’s the gist behind the 2018 J.D. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study. While the study is still centered around the U.S. market, it’s a barometer for the fast adoption of in-car technology around the world.

On the 120th anniversary of the founder’s birth, the Ferrari Museum pays tribute to his passion for cars with the “Driven by Enzo” and “Passion and Legend” exhibitions, which retrace the countless developments in style and technology over the company’s history.

Toyota Motor Philippines is gearing up for the third and final race of the Vios Cup Season 5 set to happen on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Clark International Speedway, Pampanga.

Heads Up on BGC's New One-Way Traffic Scheme Starting on September 17

Motorists passing through the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is reminded of the new one-way scheme starting on Monday, September 17, 2018. The scheme is shown in the map below:

Shortly after making its debut on the Forester, Subaru is now adding its gasoline-electric e-BOXER technology for the Subaru XV.

Last Friday marked the official customer release of the all-new 2019 Forester in Subaru’s home market of Japan. And despite losing some of that performance edge, Subaru says sales are off to a great start, selling 13,282 units or more than 5 times the monthly sales target of 2,500 units.

Volkswagen Philippines is opening the order book for three new models: the Santana AT, Santana GTS AT, and Lamando all of which are slated for customer release by November of this year.

Nissan isn’t taking any chances when it comes to their Formula E debut. Instead of developing a team from scratch, they’ve opted instead to purchase a stake in the e.dams racing team—the team that has won the Team Championship in the first three seasons of Formula E.

UPDATE: The LTFRB responds (see statement below) 9/18.

According to Grab, only 40 percent of passengers can get a ride on a daily basis, and this figure drops to 20 percent on Fridays and rainy days. And they say, it’s the LTFRB to blame.

Selected Malls to Waive Overnight Parking on Friday, September 14

Selected SM, Ayala, Robinsons, and Megaworld Malls are waiving overnight parking charges for the following locations due to Typhoon Ompong today, Friday September 14, 2018.

Just days after her first Grand Slam championship, Nissan named 20-year-old tennis player Naomi Osaka its newest brand ambassador.

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), today announced the renewal of a long-term partnership with HSBC to continue to provide better credit card service for Filipinos motorists.

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