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July 31, 2013

Chevrolet Previews Spin; Pre-Launch Price Offer of P 798,888 (w/ Complete Specs)

There's a new AUV on the block and everyone is invited to take it for a spin. Chevrolet Philippines - The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines shall officially launch the Spin in August 2013 but as a special pre-launch offer, Chevrolet Philippines is giving everyone a chance to preview this 7-seater, All-Around Utility Vehicle (AUV) in selected malls in Manila in the coming weeks and avail of discounted introductory price offers which starts at P798,888.00 for the 1.3L Turbo Diesel LS, P908,888.00 for the 1.3L Turbo Diesel LTZ and P 838,888.00 for the 1.5L LTZ gasoline engine.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, once again brings the increasingly popular Kia vehicles closer to people with Kia on Tour 2013. This nationwide mall-based tour brings Kia’s latest model line-up around the Philippines for prospective customers to experience.

2013 Kia Sportage 2.4 DLX AWD vs 2013 Honda CR-V 2.4 SX

Compact crossovers—they’re now pretty much one of the most common forms of transportation. Every car manufacturer’s got one, and in one way or the other, they’ve got their own differentiating factors be it luxury, space, power, or value. Of course, in time these differentiating factors all tend to get mushed up; the effect of an ever-crowded market space. Sometimes, what you get are crossovers that supposedly offer something unique, but offer pretty much a similar driving experience as its most direct competitor. To put this theory to the test, it was necessary to pit the best-selling compact crossover, the Honda CR-V, in its top-of-the-line 2.4 SX guise no less, against the Sportage, Kia’s direct answer to the CR-V, represented here also in its range-topping 2.4 DLX trim. Now, let’s get this fight started!

Toyota to Showcase Concept Cars at The World of Toyota Motorshow on August 10-18

This August 2013, the no. 1 automotive brand in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) will bring in two concept cars to the Philippines. These vehicles that will give us a glimpse of how cars will be in the near future will be exhibited at The World of Toyota Motorshow on August 10 – 18 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. Toyota’s FCV-R and Lexus’s LF-LC exude the brand’s new design philosophy and technology of cars in the future.

Richard Yap is Nissan Almera's New Brand Ambassador

Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc. (NMPI) has named local daytime TV’s leading man Richard Yap as its brand ambassador for the all-new Nissan Almera 1.5L.

Yap is popularly known for his portrayal as the lovable “Sir Chief” in the hit series, Be Careful With My Heart, and now has a growing list of product endorsements under his belt.

Bentley Motors today confirms that it will proceed with the development of the Bentley SUV, the company’s fourth model line. The SUV will be made in Crewe and will go on sale in 2016. It will create over 1000 jobs in the UK. Over the next three years Bentley will invest more than £800 million in its headquarters at Crewe and the development of new models.

Honoring its responsibility to the environment, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has turned over to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan program collected used lead acid batteries and used industrial oil so these could be disposed in line with proper environmental standards.

Peugeot Opens in Nueva Ecija

After launching Peugeot Las Piñas, Peugeot Cagayan de Oro, Peugeot Quirino and Peugeot Cebu earlier this year, Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), official importer of Peugeot vehicles in the country together with RDT Lionside Motors Corporation, formally opened last July 15, 2013 the doors of Peugeot Nueva Ecija. Like all the previous Peugeot dealerships before it, Peugeot Nueva Ecija aims to provide the full Peugeot ownership experience to its customers while ascribing fully to Peugeot international standards. With the showroom’s opening, Peugeot has set a new benchmark in showroom experiences in the Northern Luzon area.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has presented in Cebu the newest additions to its medium-duty truck lines, as well as a host of unique transportation solutions, at the 2013 Isuzu Truck Fest – Cebu, which was successfully held from July 18 to 20 at SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Mabolo City.

BPI Auto Loans Extends Free 1-Year Comprehensive Insurance

Cars are considered to be an essential investment, be it for a working professional or for a family. More than its function to transport and move you from place to place, it is a tool that brings convenience. Having your own vehicle opens up a lot of possibilities and advantages - having to go on road trips to popular destinations with the family and being able to explore new places anytime are just some of the fun things it affords you.

As it is fairly a large purchase, choosing which car to buy could be a difficult decision to make. Alongside with it, how to buy that car is another question to consider. BPI Family Auto Loan is a trusted partner that will make it easy for you to get that dream car.

2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ vs 2013 Toyota Fortuner 3.0 V

Which one is better: Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ or the Toyota Fortuner 3.0 V? This is a question most commonly asked, but never answered; at least not directly. But, no matter how you look at it, this comparison is inevitable. On one corner, you have the Toyota Fortuner—the one who pioneered the entire “sleek-looking, truck-based 7-seater SUV” craze (sorry, the Ford Everest doesn’t count because it looks just too agricultural). Recently re-styled and upgraded, the Fortuner soldiers on with more or less the same innards that made it successful. On the other is the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the newest addition to the ever-growing slew of alternatives, and single-handedly the vehicle that has catapulted the bowtie brand into to the mainstream. It maybe new from the top-down, but it keeps very close to the Toyota Fortuner formula. And with a price spread just a hair above P 45,000 (P 45,112 to be exact), these two were destined to slug it out.

Strong new offerings coupled with tried and tested segment leaders saw the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors’ (AVID) Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) storm up sales rankings in the first half of 2013.

From January to June of this year, AVID’s LCVs marked an impressive 20% increase over the same period last year, increasing its tally to 7,524 units sold from 6,270 a year ago. Fueling this onslaught were Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc.’s Subaru and The Covenant Car Company, Inc.’s Chevrolet brands with compelling new offerings in the Compact and Mid-Size SUV categories.

The LCV segment’s exemplary first half performance provided a strong cushion in tempering a supply-stricken Passenger Car (PC) category where primary movers Hyundai and Chevrolet both experienced significant losses due to supply-dictated performance as well as strong external competition. As a result, AVID ended the period with a mere 3% decline over the same period a year ago, offsetting the 18% decline by the PC models.

A Play Date with the 2013 BMW X1

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It began almost two weeks ago with the most “humble” of invites: a black box with the words “BMW X1: Let’s Play” printed on it. Receiving a three-dimensional, non-paper invite already made me feel special, but once I got to peek inside, it made it say, “Oh my god”. There it was, in all its glory, a brand-new BlackBerry Z10 (well, half of the participants received an Apple iPhone 5). It came with the strict instructions that it was to be returned after the drive, and yet, this made me feel like a million bucks. And this was just the appetizer.

If you need to travel long distances for your daily commute, it is essential to have enough fuel in your tank to get through the day. And it’s a huge windfall to get all the fuel that you need, free!

The Wolverine Drives an Audi R8 Too!

What do Marvel superheroes Wolverine and Iron Man have in common? Aside from their dashing good looks, it seems they share the same taste in cars. Hugh Jackman recently appeared at the UK premiere of The Wolverine riding a stunning R8. Of course, the film will feature the Audi supercar along with the A8 L. The Wolverine will be shown in Philippine cinemas from July 25.

Honda to Release Entry-Level MPV for Indonesian Market

P.T. Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) released the global premiere of the official sketch of the brand-new Honda MPV that will be making its world debut at the upcoming 21st Indonesia International Motor Show, scheduled for September 19-29, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The new Honda MPV was developed for the Asian market by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. in Thailand and P.T. Honda R&D Indonesia. This model will be the first Honda product in Indonesia to be introduced to the entry level MPV segment, the biggest category in the Indonesian automobile market. In addition to offering seven seats in a 3-row configuration, the new Honda MPV features an innovative design, spacious cabin, and advanced safety which is already a hallmark of every Honda product. The new Honda MPV will be powered by a 1.5L gasoline engine, which provides both sporty performance and good fuel efficiency.

July 19, 2013

Mercedes-Benz C 63 Black Series vs Subaru Legacy GT Rev Off

So what do you get when you put a Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Black Series next to a Subaru Legacy GT? Well after they decide to do a "rev off", music to a car enthusiast's ear! Happy Friday everyone!

Video Courtesy of: YouTube

Peugeot Holding Test Drive Activity at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), official importer and distributor of Peugeot vehicles in the country, announced recently that it will be staging a two-month display and test drive activity at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

How does one take a well-loved motoring icon to the next level? Ford makes a great case with the new Ford Fiesta – which is making its official debut today in the Philippines – sporting new looks and smart technologies to help keep drivers connected.

The new Fiesta is poised to redefine the small car segment with its exciting new bold design, segment-leading fuel economy, class-leading safety features and all-new smart technologies, including Ford SYNC.

The Nissan X-Trail, Isuzu Crosswind, Honda Civic, Kia Carens, Hyundai Grand Starex, Kia Sorento, Nissan Teana, and the Toyota Vios. From economy sub-compact to multi-role sports utility vehicle to veritable people-mover, quite a varied line-up of the riding and car-owning public’s choices for the “Auto Focus Automobile of the Year” have emerged throughout past the past eight years. Which brand and model will emerge at the top and be crowned as the ninth winner of the coveted “2013-2014 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year” award?

The 2013 Race Of Champions will be held at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on December 14-15. The news comes after Thailand, which hosted last year’s ROC, again beat off a wide range of contenders from all round the world to stage the prestigious event.

Michelin Primacy 3 ST Tires Deliver Safer, Quieter, Longer Lasting Tire for Asian Roads

The world’s leading tire manufacturer, Michelin, today sets new benchmarks in motoring safety, silence and comfort in the Philippines with the launch of the new Michelin Primacy 3 ST. Designed and developed exclusively for the Asia Pacific region’s extreme roads and weather conditions, the Michelin Primacy 3 ST meets these specific demands of drivers.

Repsol, a leading motor oil in Spain, recently held the Repsol Road Race Championship (RRCC) in Blue Wave, Marikina. Now on its third year, RRRC was primarily launched in the Philippines to search for new talents and best riders in the country.

Hundreds participated while thousands of bike enthusiasts watched the race. Various activities took place such as the expert class race, pocket bike competition for children, distribution of freebies by the Repsol girls and discounted price offered on Repsol oil products.

Repsol is suitable for a wide range of motorcycles. It provides maximum engine protection in extreme conditions whether they are subjected to high temperatures or during long operating periods. Its formulation protects the engine against the formation of deposits in the exhaust keeping it clean. It also guarantees excellent performance in or out of competition.

Repsol is available in authorized dealerships nationwide. For more information, please visit www.jointeamrepsol.com or www.repsol.com. You can also call +63-2-3777-500.

July 17, 2013

Subaru Holds First-Ever Tanabata Festival: Selected Models to Receive Cash Rebates, Financing Schemes

Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, will be holding its first-ever Tanabata Festival at its Greenhills and Global City Showrooms from July 19 to July 21, 2013.

The Tanabata Festival or “Meeting of the Seventh” is a Japanese star festival, originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to the legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.

Ducks aren’t concerned about the rain, and now drivers don’t need to be either. Reducing braking distances by more than 2 meters on wet roads, the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tire takes the worry out of driving.
With consumer driven needs at the center of its tire innovations, Goodyear has rolled out the Assurance TripleMax, the first tire to boast Goodyear’s latest HYDROGRIP Technology® that delivers drivers maximum grip for maximum assurance.

Audi PH Introduces Premium Lease & Amazing Premium Deals

Audi jump starts 2013 with new remarkable models. The launch of the all-new Audi A1 Sportback and Audi Q3 and product-improved models such as the Audi A4, A6 and Q5, greatly helped in improving Audi’s sales for 2013.

The positive market feedback drawn from its new models brought more hope for Audi. And it continues to ignite its plans of not slowing down as it introduces its latest two unparalleled and innovative ways of Audi ownership – The Audi Premium Lease and Amazing Premium Deals.

Team Celerio Philippines (TCP) recently brought together various Suzuki models from the vintage Samurai to the latest Alto 800 and Swift Dzire in the first-ever charity fundraiser car show dubbed as “Show Off 2013”. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Tambuli Para Sa Bayan at Diyos, a medical mission foundation based in Quezon City.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Driving the 2013 Subaru Forester through Sagada in the Northern Philippines and driving the XT on the streets of Manila proved to be just the beginning. Now, it’s the Forester 2.0 i-L’s turn to get driven.

Subaru has always cemented its reputation building turbocharged, championship-winning rally cars. After a time, this reputation has spread onto its road cars, where the most sought-after models typically have gapping hood scoops, bright-blue paint, and gold-colored rims. However, before getting into the world of motorsports, Subaru has always been synonymous with building solid, reliable, but somewhat quirky cars. Though the quirkiness has faded, Subaru continues the tradition of making bullet-proof cars (backed up by US-based data collector Polk that says 96 percent of Subarus purchased 12 years ago are still on the road). This tradition is pretty much alive in the all-new Subaru Forester 2.0 i-L—the compact crossover that manages to be the perfect everyday performer.

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