Photos by Ulysses Ang

Confession time: despite being in the motoring beat for over a decade now, this is the first time I’ve ever driven a Kia extensively. Of course, it happened that it’s the Rio 1.2 SLX that arrived—the P 625,000 budget-friendly, fleet-inclined vehicle that’s normally not on most reviewers’ wish list. Despite its daunting task of having to convince me of the brand’s merits (they could have sent a Sportage or Optima, after all), it succeeded. The Kia Rio 1.2 SLX turned out to be a great, spunky automobile—a testament on how Kia can design and engineer great small cars; proof that fun doesn’t necessarily start at a million pesos.

Anyone handling a four-wheeled vehicle cannot afford to go places without a travel buddy. Whether it’s a short journey or a long distance trip, a travel buddy will always help you keep your concentration on what’s ahead, remind you of the rules of the road, and help you keep your vehicle travel-worthy.

It is in this spirit that Petron proudly unveils this year’s Petron Lakbay Alalay program. Well-loved as the longest running motorist assistance program in the country, Petron Lakbay Alalay, now on its 27th year, doesn’t just involve itself with helping stranded motorists during long calendar breaks (such as the Holy Week stretch and All Souls’ Day/All Saints Day). Petron Lakbay Alalay now is a series of activities spread year-round to help the motorists and communities.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) under its corporate social responsibility education and safety advocacies - the 1’M Blue Eco-Safe Driving Campaign, recently tied-up with the Department of Energy and the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center (UP NEC) in conducting seminars on fuel efficiency for road transport in 10 key cities in the Philippines from January to May 2013.

The seminar shares the Government’s energy efficiency program, the rationale of eco-safe driving, then moves on with practical tips on driving practices that save fuel and proper vehicle maintenance. There are 20 half-day sessions set for public utility drivers and operators from 5 cities in Luzon (Laoag, Legaspi, Baguio, Pampanga and Metro Manila); 3 in Visayas (Cebu, Iloilo and Tacloban); and 2 in Mindanao (Davao and Cagayan de Oro.)

Allow Casey Hyun to inspire your imagination at the upcoming ICON (Innovation Congress), the 3rd Thought Leadership Forum of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

As head of Hyundai’s design team, Mr. Hyun is credited for leading the team that developed, refined, and implemented the Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, the concept that has given Hyundai an identity that sets it apart even at a glance.

Summer is here!  It’s time for long trips, beach vacations and out-of-town fun!  But before
heading out, make sure that you have a healthy car for your safe and worry-free travels!
Schedule an appointment for Hyundai’s CAMP—Check-up And Maintenance Promo, and choose
from our Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) packages:

• PMS Package 1: HGMO Mineral Oil with 25% discount on labor
• PMS Package 2: HGMO Semi-synthetic Oil with 25% discount on labor
• PMS Package 3: HGMO Fully Synthetic Oil with 25% discount on labor, 10% discount on parts and engine oil and FREE Hyundai backpack or foldable fan  

Plus, for every PMS package, you also get a FREE 23-PT check-up for your car.  So call your
authorized participating dealership today and ask about Hyundai’s CAMP, to jumpstart your
summer!

Hyundai’s CAMP is until March 27, 2013.  See flyers for more details.  Per DTI-NCR Permit No.
1472 Series of 2013.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Bali, Indonesia—Coming up to a blind corner, our car looked like it would barely fit into the right-hander when a motorcycle suddenly cut in. The brakes were applied and we came to a screeching halt. Driving in Bali required a lot of confidence and concentration given the tight streets and bustling roads. Everywhere you looked, there were souvenir shops, lost-in-the-moment tourists, sidewalk cafes, and parked buses—the sort of organized chaos pretty much prevalent all over South East Asia. Thankfully though, that day in Bali, we were behind the wheel of a Subaru XV, a car so well packaged that it’s seemingly designed to tackle the challenge of everyday life with poise and composure.

To this day, a lot of people don’t like the new Nissan GT-R. They respect the car’s performance, but they largely ignore it because aside from the aspect of technical mastery, it pretty much threw out everything that the Skyline GT-R heritage stood for.

No longer did it have a bullet-proof, silky smooth turbo-charged inline-6. No longer was it a quirky box with a wing. No longer was it a car that could trace it roots to a staid family sedan. No longer was it the tunable, every-man Godzilla on wheels that prior GT-Rs had been.

Summer of 2013 just got hotter with chicks, kicks and cars! A much-anticipated collaboration between Sole Slam and Autobot Autoworks dubbed as WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE: Sole Slam Manila X Automax Carshow 2013 on April 13 and 14 at One Esplanade, SM Mall of Asia Complex where we will bring the finest sneakers and the top street cars of today. This year we will sponsor three top local DJs and include a live concert from the nation’s top hiphop, RnB and dance artists. This event will also feature special appearances from hot Filipina celebrities and personalities and top tattoo artists, Russian pole dancers and anti gravity yoga performances. Expect an unforgettable and most talked about event that will leave everyone in awe, excitement and anticipation.

You can shine brighter, just in time for the summer!  Buy a brand-new Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai Accent Sedan with Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS—Discounts, Easy And Light Schemes!

Brilliant discounts and financing terms await you.  For cash buyers, as much as P25,000 cash discount.  Pay as low as P78,000 down payment, or low monthly amortization of P7,023 with all-in packages thrown in, inclusive of 1-year comprehensive insurance, 3-year LTO registration, Chattel mortgage fee, free tint, matting, and more!  You can get savings of as much as P99,000!

So why wait, when you can have your very own Hyundai Elantra or Accent sedan right now?  Give it a go with Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS.  Rush over to your nearest authorized Hyundai dealer today!

Cars included in Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS promo are: Elantra sedan variants (1.6 GL A/T, 1.6 GL M/T, and 1.8 GLS A/T) and Accent sedan variants (1.4 GL M/T and 1.4 GL A/T).  All deals are subject to bank approval.  Promo is until March 31, 2013.  See flyers for more details.  Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 1964 Series of 2013.

For three straight years, BPI Family Auto Loan once again presents the 2013 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) to be held at the World Trade Center on April 4 to 7, 2013. Themed, Innovation and Technology, BPI Family Auto is offering on-site and on-line loan processing with special deals on car purchases.

Now on its 9th year, the MIAS remains to be the Philippines’ biggest motoring event of the year. Welcoming more than 88,000 visitors last year, the 2013 MIAS expects 100, 000 spectators and car enthusiasts to visit this year as it features more than 300 cars on display including numerous launches of the newest and hottest cars in the Philippine market today.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is running the Honda Emergency Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.) program to provide motorists travelling during the holy week an on-site travel aid, service and support in different destination on March 27 to 31, 2013.

Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies issue honors leading businesses, including Apple, Amazon, Google and Target along with such rising newcomers as Square, Fab and Tumblr. Ford Motor Company is the only full-line automaker named to the 2013 list. Nike ranks No. 1 following the release of two major innovations, FuelBand and Flyknit technology.

Ms. Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, President and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), official distributor of Hyundai cars in the Philippines, was cited among the 2013 Women Icons of Entrepreneurship at the Fifth Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit 2013 of Go Negosyo. The award was presented to her by Mr. Joey Concepcion, Founding Trustee of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.—Go Negosyo (L), Summit Keynote Speaker Hon. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Mr. Ramon Lopez, Executive Director of Go Negosyo.

The Fifth Go Negosyo Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit, which recognizes the Filipina as a catalyst of change and progress, was held to coincide with the international celebration of Women’s Month. Go Negosyo is on its eighth year of dedicated work to empower Filipinos to be enterprising and entrepreneurial.

Subaru has confirmed that it will be showing a brand-new XV Hybrid at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. Though there are no details yet, Subaru has revealed that the XV Hybrid will use an in-house developed hybrid system paired with the company's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

In addition to the XV Hybrid, Subaru is also showing off a new performance concept. This is perhaps a good look at the upcoming WRX.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Road trips, especially long ones have to be planned meticulously in advanced. You have to take note not just of necessities such as food and accommodations but also of the route and weather. Traveling up to Sagada is often seen as an arduous challenge given the tight, twisty mountain roads as well as the lack of necessary infrastructure such as gasoline or service stations. It looked like something close to impossible: the perfect backdrop then to officially welcome the all-new Subaru Forester.

Lamborghini Manila recently presented the final edition of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 in an exclusive preview at its stylish showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

The new Gallardo was unveiled by no other than Lamborghini Manila President Roberto Coyiuto III and the newly appointed Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc recently broke ground in Naga City, Camarines Sur to mark its official entry in the Bicol region. Owned by Mr. Jeremie Lo, the dealership is soon to rise along San Jose, National Highway, Pili, Camarines Sur, with operations to start by the second half of 2013.

With this partnership, Honda is pleased to be able to offer easier access to the full model line-up of products, competent service technicians, well-trained sales associates and accommodating customer relations officers present in all other Honda dealerships to the Bicolanos.

Ground breaking of the future site was done last March 12, 2013. The ceremony was attended by Honda Cars Philippines, Incorporated (HCPI) President and General Manager Tatsuya Natsume, Marketing and Sales General Manager Roberto “Bobby” Ong, Customer Service Division Head Norman Millare and other HCPI executives, and owner, Jeremie Lo. Also gracing the event was Pili, Camarines Sur Mayor Tomas Bongalonta.

Organizers of the country’s longest running international junior tennis tournament, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) are expecting an even more exciting Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Tennis Championship (MLIJTC) as the biggest juniors’ tournament in Asia opens on March 19, 2013.

The 2013 Volvo XC60 earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) new small overlap frontal crash test, currently making it the first and only midsize luxury SUV to achieve such results.

Thanks to its top marks in the latest test, Volvo is now the only luxury manufacturer with two TOP SAFETY PICK+ vehicles. The 2013 Volvo S60 sports sedan received the Institute's highest safety honor in an earlier test.