January 17, 2018
North America Votes and This is Their Car and SUV of the Year
Which Cars Pass the LTFRB's "Strict" Standards for Taxis and TNVSes?
The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB just threw the rule book at the Transport Network Companies (Uber and Grab to you and me). In a recent press conference, the government agency responsible for land-based public conveyance is reminding both Uber and Grab that they have to phase out non-compliant TNVses in 90 days. With the Memorandum Circular published last December 2, 2017, that sets a March 2, 2018 deadline.
Did the LTFRB Ban Hatchback Vehicles for TNVSes Overnight?
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB greeted 2018 with a shocker to Transport Network Companies or TNCs: hatchbacks with a displacement below 1,200-ccs or 1.2-liters (round-ups are okay, according to this report) aren’t allowed anymore as Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) vehicles. Given the LTFRB’s rather unpopular reputation of late, social media lashed out immediately on LTFRB board member and de facto punching bag Atty. Aileen Lizada on the government’s archaic or in their LTO own words, primordial standards. But is there a reason for all this uproar or is the LTFRB simply following the law?
January 16, 2018
2019 Hyundai Veloster is Looking Like a Proper Hot Hatch (w/ 25 Photos)
Rumors of the Hyundai Veloster’s demise is greatly exaggerated since the Korean carmaker chose the typically SUV-centric US market to unveil the all-new, second-generation Veloster. Designed collaboratively between Hyundai’s design center in South Korea and the US, the Veloster retains its unique two-plus-one asymmetric body style along with a slew of drivetrain and chassis improvements to up its sportiness.
Review: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado 4x4 LTZ
With the new vehicle excise tax in place, pickup trucks may well be the new “people’s car.” It’s the latest in a series of transformations that’s seen it morph from no-nonsense workhorses to lifestyle playthings. And amidst the usual choices filled with Hilux, Rangers, and D-Max, there’s one that’s worthy of a closer look: the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado.
Volvo XC60 is Europe's Safest Car for 2017
The Volvo XC60 has been crowned the best-performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.
Mazda Philippines's Annual Service Skills Competition Aims to Lift Dealer Experience
Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, recently conducted the 4th Maztech Philippines Customer Service Skills Competition last December. The annual skills competition is designed to promote camaraderie and showcase the talents, knowledge, and attitude of various aftersales personnel in the Mazda Philippines dealership network towards the Mazda Quality Service process.
January 15, 2018
Mitsubishi Philippines Increases Prices Including Strada Pickup Truck Due to Excise Tax
Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is the latest carmaker to announce its new suggested retail price or SRP taking into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta is More Dynamic, More Connected (w/ 5 Photos)
Volkswagen has just unveiled the 7th generation Jetta, a full-on redesign of their compact car that promises dynamic proportions, optimal space utilization, and new range of assistance systems. Produced at the German automaker’s Mexico plant, it will be put on sale there by the first quarter of 2018 with the US market to follow by around midyear.
Hyundai and Grab Enter Strategic Partnership
Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, and Grab, the leading on-demand transportation and mobile payments platform in Southeast Asia, announced a strategic partnership that will expand Hyundai’s innovative future mobility services in Southeast Asia.
Mercedes-Benz Unveils All-New 2019 G-Class at Detroit (w/ 19 Photos)
How do you reinvent an icon? That’s the conundrum faced by Mercedes-Benz designers and engineers as they set their sights on the G-Class’s first ground-up redesign. The German carmaker’s longest serving model, the G-Class has been renowned for its uncompromising on- and off-road performance and impeccably solid build quality; traits which have been certainly carried over to the 2019 model.
January 14, 2018
2018 Ford Ranger: This is It (w/ 13 Photos)
After years of absence in the biggest pickup truck market in the world, Ford is finally bringing the Ranger back to the US. Still based off the current T6 global platform, the 2018 Ranger (2019 in North America) undergoes yet another refresh and packs more driver-assist technologies including the world’s first off-road cruise control.
January 13, 2018
Mazda Philippines Sets All-Time Sales Record in 2017
Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc. (BAP), the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, reported record sales numbers for the month of December and the full year of 2017.
Hyundai to Open Truck and Bus Dealership in Batangas City
Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and Shaw Automotive Resources, Inc. (SARI) President Felix Limcaoco III, along with other top executives, led the groundbreaking ceremony of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Batangas City located along Diversion Road in Balagtas, Batangas City.
SsangYong Posts 140 Percent Sales Growth in 2017
SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines (SBMP), the exclusive distributors of SsangYong vehicles and parts in the country, reported a robust 140 percent increase in its sales numbers compared to the brand’s output during its first year of operations in 2016.
January 12, 2018
Subaru Absorbs Some New Vehicle Excise Tax in Revealed Post-TRAIN Prices
Coming from a strong 2017, where Philippine sales reached 116 percent of target, Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru eyes strong growth amidst the new vehicle excise tax this year. Speaking to members of the Philippine media at the regional launch of EyeSight and the 2018 Subaru XV and Outback in Singapore, Mr. Glenn Tan, Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), the parent company of Motor Image remains confident that Motor Image’s Philippine sales will continue to grow.
Meet Toyota GAZOO Racing's 1,000-horsepower Super Sports Car Concept (w/ 11 Photos)
Toyota GAZOO Racing unveils what’s essentially a World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the road at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018: meet the Toyota GAZOO GR Super Sports Concept. It sets the direction of what sort of cars to expect from Toyota and GAZOO Racing.
Subaru STI Wastes No Time in Tuning the VIZIV Performance Concept (w/ 15 Photos)
Subaru wasted no time giving the world a sneak peek of how the future STI could look like. After showing the VIZIV Performance Concept (a potentially future WRX) at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017, STI immediately got to work and in just 4 months shows the VIZIV Performance STI Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018.
January 11, 2018
Subaru Launches EyeSight-Equipped 2018 Outback and XV
Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across 9 countries in Asia launched the EyeSight driver assist technology on two vehicles: the 2018 Outback and the 2018 Subaru XV. Unveiled at the 2018 Singapore Motor Show, both of these models are slated to arrive in the Philippines by Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) in April.
Volkswagen Amarok Wins International Pickup of the Year 2018
The Volkswagen Amarok has won the ‘International Pick-up Award 2018’ (IPUA 2018). Like its predecessor in 2010, the new Amarok, now with high-torque V6 engines, has also succeeded in winning over the jury of transport journalists.
Common Questions on Subaru EyeSight Answered
Motor Image Pilipinas is rolling out Subaru’s advanced driver assistive technologies dubbed EyeSight for our market real soon. So naturally, it begs to question three things: how does it perform? Can it take on aftermarket stuff like tints? And finally, can it be retrofitted on non-EyeSight equipped vehicle? Well, we’ll answer them one by one here (if you need an in-depth primer on what Subaru EyeSight is, click here).
January 10, 2018
Foton Philippines Retains Prices for January 2018
Foton Philippines is the fourth local manufacturer to reveal their vehicle prices effective January 2018. And taking the lead from Hyundai, they have decided to freeze their prices more or less despite Republic Act 10963 or the TRAIN Law taking effect last New Year’s Day.
DAF Trucks' CF and XF Line are Voted International Truck of the Year 2018
DAF’s New CF and XF have been voted International Truck of the Year 2018 by an independent jury of leading road-transport journalists from 23 European countries. This honor was awarded to DAF Trucks by Gianenrico Griffini, chairman of the jury at the 2017 Solutrans International Transport Show in Lyon, France.
Breyton Wheels is Now in the Philippines
Wheel Gallery, the Philippine distributor of Black Rhino, TSW, and Concept One has added a new brand into their portfolio: Breyton Wheels. Designed to fit BMW, MINI, and Porsche models, Wheel Gallery will bring in a variety of styles and fitments that suits everything from a BMW 1 Series to M high-performance vehicles.
An Eye on EyeSight: A Primer on Subaru's Advanced Driver Assistive Technology
Admittedly, safety isn’t sexy. If the surveys are right, then safety actually ranks below criteria such as aesthetics, performance, and even resale value when it comes to a new car purchase. However, that’s not to say carmakers aren’t doing anything about it; one carmaker, Subaru, has made safety a core principle in the design and engineering of their cars. They’re so focused on safety that they said they’ll be able to achieve the highest vehicle safety standards in the world until 2025 at the very least.
January 9, 2018
Ford Philippines Achieves Record Sales in 2017
Ford Philippines announced its fifth consecutive year of record sales with 2017 retail sales rising 9 percent from the prior year to 36,623 units. This performance was led by record full-year sales from the Everest, EcoSport, Ranger, and Explorer.
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