“Thankfully, this year’s edition of the AFPCA has launched without the uncertainties and challenges that faced us in March last year with the onset of the present COVID pandemic and strict lockdown conditions about to be imposed throughout the Philippines.” STV’s Gamboa exclaimed. “Looking back at that point in time, we actually considered putting the program on hold. The business prognosis for the motoring industry in the forthcoming months appeared grim, and no one knew how and when the worsening crisis would end. So, the most important question STV and the organizing committee had to tackle was: Would the AFPCA continue to benefit the car industry and its customers during the period? The group saw this in positive light and we went for the green light. I can now openly declare, without any doubt whatsoever that I’m happy the AFPCA streak remained intact, and that the 2020 experience subsequently gave us new and valuable insights that are being applied this year.”

A new development this year is AFPCA’s re-thinking of rules concerning automobiles inducted in its Hall of Fame.

Previously, five-time Model and three-time Automobile of the Year awardees are automatically entered into the Hall of Fame. However, the organizers sought to re-think this rule given that these models are still concurrent, and that if people still chooses and votes for these automobiles, why should they be excluded from the “Official Entry List.” Therefore, AFPCA will return all Hall of Fame awardees back into circulation, if applicable.

These models are: Isuzu Crosswind, Hyundai Grand Starex, Lexus IS, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Navara, Toyota Alphard, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Hiace, Toyota Hilux, and the Toyota Vios.

Last year, the Toyota Hilux and Alphard were proclaimed as the Automobile of the Year in the Standard and Premium/Luxury segments respectively.

Voting for the 2021-2022 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards is now open through this website.

Participants may vote every day and can register as many as 5 daily choices each in the separate Standard and Premium/Luxury categories from June 1 to November 30, 2021.