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April 20, 2017

2017 Nissan Urvan Premium vs Toyota Hiace GL Grandia vs Foton View Traveller

Nissan Philippines is getting into the premium full-sized van in a big way (literally) with the 2017 Urvan Premium. On sale to customers starting June 2017, it’s the first Japanese competitor to take on the segment stalwart, the Toyota Hiace GL Grandia. In order to help would-be buyers, we have assembled the 2017 Nissan Urvan Premium, Toyota Hiace GL Grandia, and a dark horse, the Foton View Traveller in this comparison chart.

Nissan Philippines Launches Super-sized Urvan Premium (w/ 15 Photos, Specs)

Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is looking to continue its strong sales momentum well into 2017. Coming from its highest first quarter sales since 2000 (5,277 units sold), NPI is entering into the lucrative premium van segment with the Urvan Premium.

Wards Auto, an American-based organization that has covered the automotive industry for over 80 years has awarded the winners of this year’s 10 Best Interiors. With no restraint on pricing, these 10 vehicles bested 21 other nominees based on the following criteria: aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, materials usage, fit and finish, and user-friendliness.

You’ve seen it at the Manila International Auto Show and now, this is your first chance to drive it. Mazda Philippines is offering the public to try out the all-new 2017 CX-5 crossover for the first time at the STV Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival happening at the SM Mall of Asia this April 20-23.

Subaru Parent Company Changes Its Name

It’s official Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. or FHI is changing its name to reflect its most important brand, Subaru. FHI is no more and in its place is Subaru Corporation. Marking the change last April 1, 2017, renaming ceremonies were held at the company’s head office in Ebisu, Tokyo, and three other Japanese facilities.

Dreams turned into reality for Pampanga-based Marilyn Lagarde when she became the lucky recipient of a brand-new Lexus NX 200t and P 100, 000 worth of Caltex StarCash from Robinsons Rewards and Chevron Philippines Inc.’s (CPI) Christmas promo. The grand prize winner recently received the Lexus NX 200t keys and Caltex StarCash from CPI country chairman Peter Morris and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe during the awarding ceremony at the Lexus Showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

Centro Manufacturing Corporation, one of the country’s leading truck body builders, proved once more that it is the one and only microbus conversion authority.

The opening montage says it all: Kia wants to turn a new chapter with the all-new Picanto. The video, filled with energetic 20-somethings showed them calling friends on their smartphones, getting a latte at a hipster café, and even high-fiving each other as they whip out their foldable bike before hitting a trail nearby. In-between shots of bright cityscape, pearly-white smiles, and occasional lens flare, the Picanto is there zooming and zipping around, doing what these youngsters want to live a happy, fulfilled life.

Isuzu Philippines Holds Truck Fest in Isabela, Next Round Slated for Manila

Strengthening its presence in growth areas outside of the National Capital Region, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently conducted major activities in Isabela.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, closed March 2017 with record sales of 3,371 units, the highest monthly output in the company’s 15-year history. This pushed first quarter sales to 8,841, up by 18 percent as compared to the 7,469 units sold in the same period of 2016.

Isuzu Philippines Awards New mu-X to Lucky Promo Winner

A family woman working as a geologist for a petroleum company has been picked as the lucky winner of a brand-new Isuzu mu-X premium SUV.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. is offering the coolest cash back prizes with Honda’s Summer Splashdown raffle. 100 lucky winners will get a chance to win cash rebates of up to P 100,000.

The 2017 season of the FlatOut Race Series (FORS) is now in full swing as 105 entries took to the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last 1st of April for Round 2.

AVID Members Record 10 Percent Growth in Q1 2017

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) closed the first three months of 2017 on a high note as sales picked up by 10 percent with 23,312 units sold versus the previous year’s 21,160. The continued uptick in industry sales is largely credited on the continued strong consumer appetite for vehicles.

Nissan is continuing to create outrageous one-off of its production vehicles. Following the NV Cargo X, an extreme off-road version of the NV Cargo van, Nissan has come up with the Rogue (Philippine-model X-Trail) Warrior Trail Project.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation has teamed up with leading truck body builder Centro Manufacturing Corporation to donate a Mitsubishi L300 XV microbus to the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) Go Negosyo.

Ah, millennials. You’re an indecisive, crazy bunch and it shows in the vehicles that carmakers have so far come up just for you. Toyota is the latest one to get into this craze with the FT-4X Concept at the New York International Auto Show. And before you dream about this being the next-generation FJ Cruiser, it’s not. Instead, it’s specifically targeted for the urbanite who may somehow end up in a casual, albeit unplanned adventure. There’s no need to climb or summit a mountain, Toyota says. A drive to a scenic point will do.

Look out Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9, there’s a new entry that’s knocking at your door and it comes from Subaru. After being teased as the Viziv-7 Concept a while back, Subaru has shown off the Ascent SUV Concept at the New York International Auto Show. It’s the clearest direction yet at what to expect with Subaru’s large 7-seater SUV.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the Ultimate Speed Sin (w/ 27 Photos)

After countless teases and a starring role in the newest The Fast and the Furious movie, the face melting Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has finally arrived. And as its name suggests, it could spell the end of exclusivity for super high-performance. Doing Vin Diesel proud, the Challenger SRT Demon is the ultimate in straight-line performance with various tweaks, modifications, and enhancements all done for that single purpose.

Mercedes-Benz Philippines gave the three-pointed star sparkle at the recent Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) with 7 different models that prove that Mercedes-Benz can, indeed, suit different lifestyles.

Volkswagen Philippines and Grand Canyon Multi-Holdings, Inc. launched recently the Iloilo dealership at the upper ground level of SM Iloilo along Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue.

The unveil of yet another refresh for its mid-sized Explorer confirms it: 2017 (or maybe even 2018) will be a year of SUV bonanza for Ford. After showing off its all-new aluminum-bodied 2018 Expedition and the refreshed EcoSport in both the US and in Asia-Pacific, the Explorer now gets some tweaks in a bid to boost its appeal to the 35-44 year olds—the mid-sized and large SUV’s biggest demographic.

Foton Philippines Offers Free Service Clinic; Offers Tips to Owners for Worry-Free Drive

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), the official distributor of Foton vehicles in the country is committed to every motorist’s safety and convenience. Just in time for this long weekend, Foton is offering a pre- and post-Holy Week motorists assistance program.

Win Fuel Discounts When You Gas Up with Caltex This Holy Week

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines, Inc., will have another run of their Liter Lottery promo wherein motorists get to a chance to win fuel discounts and other exciting prizes on their full tank.

The refreshed EcoSport is inching its way to an ASEAN and quite possibly, a Philippine reveal very soon as Ford showcased their facelifted sub-compact SUV at its Go Further event in Shanghai, China. The EcoSport’s unveil in China marks the first time it’s been shown in Asia-Pacific. It will also be part of the Ford stand in the upcoming Auto Shanghai motor show.

Driving During an Earthquake? Here's What You Need to Do

As emphasized by the tremors that shook Batangas just a few days ago and felt in Metro Manila, earthquakes can strike anytime. And since there have been warning that the Philippines, particularly those in the capital, should brace for the “big one” what should you do when an earthquake strikes? Sure, earthquake drills—drop, cover, and hold on—have been repeated time and time again, but what if you find yourself on the road?

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April 20, 2017

2017 Nissan Urvan Premium vs Toyota Hiace GL Grandia vs Foton View Traveller

April 19, 2017

Nissan Philippines Launches Super-sized Urvan Premium (w/ 15 Photos, Specs)

Wards Reveals 10 Best Car Interiors for 2017

Test Drive the All-New Mazda CX-5 First at the STV Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival

April 18, 2017

Subaru Parent Company Changes Its Name

Caltex and Robinsons Rewards Awards Lexus NX200t to Lucky Customer

Centro Fortifies Its Position as Microbus Leader

First Drive: 2017 Kia Picanto 1.0 M/T

April 17, 2017

Isuzu Philippines Holds Truck Fest in Isabela, Next Round Slated for Manila

Strong Accent Sales Push Hyundai Philippines to 18 Percent Growth in Q1 2017

April 15, 2017

Isuzu Philippines Awards New mu-X to Lucky Promo Winner

100 Winners for Honda's Summer Splashdown Raffle

Over 100 Entries Battle in Round 2 of the 2017 FlatOut Race Series

April 13, 2017

AVID Members Record 10 Percent Growth in Q1 2017

Nissan Rogue (X-Trail) Warrior Trail Project is Capable of Extreme Adventure (w/ Photos, Video)

Mitsubishi and Centro Donate L300 XV to Go Negosyo

The Toyota FT-4X Concept Isn't the Next-Gen FJ Cruiser You've Been Waiting For (w/ 17 Photos)

Subaru Ascent SUV Concept Signals Brand's Re-Entry in the Large SUV Market (w/ 16 Photos)

April 12, 2017

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the Ultimate Speed Sin (w/ 27 Photos)

MIAS 2017: Mercedes-Benz Shows Off Versatile Line-Up

Volkswagen Opens Iloilo Dealership

2018 Ford Explorer Gets Cosmetic, Tech Tweaks

April 11, 2017

Foton Philippines Offers Free Service Clinic; Offers Tips to Owners for Worry-Free Drive

April 10, 2017

Win Fuel Discounts When You Gas Up with Caltex This Holy Week

Refreshed 2017 Ford EcoSport Debuts for Asia-Pacific

April 9, 2017

Driving During an Earthquake? Here's What You Need to Do