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| Photo courtesy of Lexus Press |
July 23, 2012
Lexus Manila to Launch All-New ES Sedan
July 20, 2012
BMW Dominates PHL Premium Luxury Segment; Posts Highest Sales Record
Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, continues to reign as the country’s leading premium automotive brand, posting its highest sales of 106 units sold last June 2012, and dominating the market with its 41% market share for the month. This mirrors the global trend that has seen the BMW Group, posting an 8.1% increase year-on-year growth, its highest record sales ever.
AVID Wraps Up First Semister with 28% Growth
The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) ends the first semester with a 28% growth to 15,799 units from 12,324 units sold in the same period last year. This compares with the overall industry growth of 7%.
The Passenger Car (PC) segment rose by 59% in the same period to 9,530 units from 6,007 units sold last year. Robust sales of AVID members, British United Automobiles, Inc., The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) boosted overall sales for the said period.
June 2012 alone saw a year-on-year growth of 9% in total sales to 2,912 units from 2,666 units sold in the same month last year.
July 19, 2012
Honda Cars Philippines Issues Voluntary Recall for 2012 CR-V
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| Photo courtesy of Honda Press |
Petron Opens Up Business Opportunities to Pinoy Entreprenuers
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| Photo courtesy of Petron Press |
All you need is a plot of land of the right size located along a well-travelled thoroughfare. Depending on the feasibility study, a Petron dealer may choose the appropriate station configuration to match the market potential with his investment capacity.
July 18, 2012
Ford Philippines Launches Iconic Mustang; Prices Start at P 2.499M
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| Photo courtesy of Ford Press |
At the event, Ford also announced pricing for the Mustang, which will be available in in the Philippines in two variants. The 3.7L Mustang V6 Premium is priced at PhP 2,499,000, and the 5.0L Mustang V8 GT Premium for PhP 2,899,000.
Customer deliveries will start in September.
July 17, 2012
Win A Ford Focus with "Start It. Share It. Win It."
Ford Philippines today announced an exciting, interactive and unprecedented launch campaign -- ‘All-New Ford Focus…Start it. Share it. Win it’ -- designed to engage Filipino consumers with real-life ‘smart-demos’ of two of the all-new Ford Focus’ first-in-segment, smart technologies. The smart demo road show will officially start on Friday, August 3 at SM Marikina.
‘Start it. Share it. Win it’ provides a unique opportunity for customers to become part of the local market launch of the all-new Focus by participating both online and on-the-ground over a twelve-week period that will include seven event locations across Metro Manila.
Ford Mustang Launching July 18
Finally, after years of speculation and waiting, the Ford Mustang is ready to prowl the streets of Manila. Mark your calendars as Wednesday, July 18 is the day that Ford Group Philippines is set to unveil the iconic muscle car.
Speculations point towards two available variants of the Ford Mustang, and some media outlets have reported that the range-topping 5.0-liter V8 version will bow in at P 2.6-million. This easily makes the Mustang the most powerful car for the buck.
Will this hold true? Follow us on Twitter as we give you a blow-by-blow coverage of the launch of this icon, and set if it's got the specs (and the price) to battle the likes of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Toyota 86.
UPDATE: Our Twitter coverage starts at 5PM.
Review: 2012 Mazda CX-5 M/T and A/T
Mazda
engineers have been burning the midnight oil finding ways to make their cars
fun to drive. Suffice to say, they’re trying to make each and every vehicle in
their line-up as fun on the road as the MX-5 (aka Miata). This may sound
blasphemous, but it’s wholly true: from the 2, 3, and even the 6--Mazdas are
fun behind the wheel even if they don’t tend to be the most powerful in their
respective classes. But how can their philosophy, the now infamous “zoom-zoom”
translate into a compact crossover? Remember, this is an extremely competitive
segment, where function largely dominates over fun.
July 16, 2012
Honda Cars Philippines Launches Civic Variants
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| Photos courtesy of Honda Press |
Since its introduction in February 2012, the all-new Civic has been well received. The availability of the full variant line-up will further strengthen our position in the market by providing buyers with wider range of price and feature options.
July 14, 2012
Never Celebrate Too Early
Here's a lesson for all aspiring to enter motorsports: never celebrate too early. As this guy, Riccardo Russo found out as he celebrated his "victory" a lap too early in the 2012 Italian CIV championship race in Mugello.
July 13, 2012
First Drive: 2012 Ford Focus
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| Photos by Ulysses Ang and Ford Press |
KRABI, THAILAND – A sweeping right-band bend appears on the horizon. You settle
yourself into the bucket seat, brace your right foot against the dead pedal, and
tighten your grip on the steering wheel. Do you slow down or speed up? A
split-second later, you mash the throttle and take the bend. Your car remains
planted. Secure. Without a tire squeal from the front Michelin tires. You crack
a satisfied smile, and continue on with the rest of your journey. This is your
new family car. This is the all-new Ford Focus.
Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Unveils Lancer EX 1.6
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| Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Press |
Meanwhile, MMPC has also refreshed 2-liter GT-A as it is poised to offer still the best value for money in the compact sedan segment given its top of its class features.
July 12, 2012
HCPI Launching Expanded Civic Line-Up on Monday
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is finally launching a much needed expanded Civic line-up on Monday, July 16. Though pricing and availability will be formally announced on Monday, from what we gather (and this was presented in the Civic launch early in the year), it will mark the return of a base variant of the Civic as well as the 2.0-liter model.
Snooping around the net reveals some interesting specs: the 1.8-liter S (as how neighbor Thailand dubs the base variant) will have a 5-speed manual transmission mated to the same 1.8-liter engine as before: 141 horsepower and 174 Nm of torque. It will also continue to be equipped with 15-inch alloys with 195/65 tires.
Meanwhile, the 2.0 EL model will likely serve as the Civic's flagship model. Like before, it will have 155 horsepower and 190 Nm of torque and it will be solely available with a 5-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Key features will likely include: a push button engine start/stop, cruise control, HID headlamps, 17-inch alloys with 214/45 tires among others.
Follow us on Twitter as we follow the unveiling of several new Civic on Monday, July 16. Our coverage starts at 11:00 AM.
Goodyear Launches Quietest Tire Ever
The new Eagle EfficientGrip is Goodyear’s quietest, most comfortable tire ever. The leading tire company’s latest innovation is engineered with advanced “Quiet Tred” technology to minimize road noise and help deliver a silky smooth ride, without compromising safety which is the hallmark of all Goodyear tires.
Designed for luxury car drivers in the country who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the urban environment when they step into their cars, the new Goodyear Eagle EfficientGrip can help make the journey more quiet and smooth.
Hyundai Posts 36% Growth in June
In June, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) posts 36% growth in total sales to 2,356 units from 1,737 units in the prior month. The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment made an impressive comeback with 101% surge, or 1,108 units sold in June versus the 550 sold a month ago. The arrival of stocks of the Tucson model contributed to the overall boost of Compact SUVs with 600 units sold.
This led to a 23% growth in sales for the first six months of the year with 12,751 units sold compared to the 10,355 units sold in the same period last year. For the said period, models in the PC segment, namely the Accent and the recently-launched EON, upped by 66%.
Photo Break #3: Sweeping Bend
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| Photo by Ulysses Ang |
Like all other Photo Break, this one's in high-resolution format (1280 x 800). Free free to download them as your wallpaper.
Philippine Car Price Guide: July 2012
We bring to you the July 2012 installment of the monthly car price guide. In this update, there are some notable changes including:
- Audi A1
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Ford Explorer 3.5 V6
- Ford Focus
- Ford Mustang
- Honda Jazz 1.5 V, SE, and Mugen (!)
- Isuzu Alterra Urban Cruiser X
- Isuzu D-MAX variants
- Kia Sorento variants
- Kia Sportage 2.4 DLX
- Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1.6
- Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.0 V6
- Suzuki Alto K10
July 10, 2012
Review: BMW 118d Urban
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| Photos by Ulysses Ang |
Normally,
you'll be cursing to yourself when you've got a BMW stuck in midday EDSA
traffic. Normally, you'll be wishing for a wide, open road with a
billiard-smooth surface to sample the BMW's impeccable balance and spirited
engine. Normally, you'd wish everyday was a Sunday. Sadly, Sunday happens just
once a week and in the six other days, you have to be content crawling through
traffic in your P 2-million hatchback. Yet, for all the traffic and
unpredictable weather Manila offers, this is the sort of environment that tests
the all-new BMW 118d. Rarely does a car prove itself while stuck in traffic,
but that's exactly what this premium car did. For a minute, you can forget that
BMW's were designed to tackle the autobahn, and relish a fuel economy that's
close to 20 km/l (and that's not a typo).
July 9, 2012
All-New Ford Ranger is Here (Finally)!
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| Photo courtesy of Ford Press |
Revealed in April at the Manila International Auto Show, the all-new Ford Ranger comes to market in the Philippines, combining the toughness and capability of a pickup truck with smart technology, outstanding safety, excellent fuel economy and high standards of quality and comfort.
“We are thrilled to start deliveries of our class-defining all-new Ranger and invite our customers to test drive the Ranger at their nearest Ford dealership,” said Dino Obias, AVP for Marketing.
The all-new Ranger is available in three variants - the 2.2L 4x2 XLT in both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions and the 2.2L 4x4 XL in manual transmission – at the suggested retail price of PhP1,179,000 for the 2.2L Ranger 4x4 XL, PhP1,069,000 for the 2.2L Ranger XLT 4x2 MT and PhP1,119,000 for the 2.2L Ranger XLT 4x2 AT.
July 6, 2012
Chevrolet Colorado Now Available in PHL
The Covenant Car Company Incorporated (TCCCI) gives pick-up enthusiast something to be excited about as it introduces the all-new Chevrolet Colorado in the Philippines. The New Chevrolet Colorado is built on nearly a century of Chevrolet trucking heritage and engineered with the best combination of power, durability, comfort and economy in its class. It has been subjected to a tough development and validation process, and has been tested in the toughest conditions around the world. The result is a midsize pick-up truck that is best-in-class in terms of power, torque and acceleration over all terrains, and under all operating conditions.
July 5, 2012
All-New Ford Focus Debuts in PHL; Sales Start in September
The all-new Ford Focus makes its Philippine debut, setting a new standard in its segment with its unmatched combination of smart technologies, outstanding fuel economy, expressive design, responsive performance, responsive performance and high levels of craftsmanship and occupant safety.
The dynamic Ford Focus will go on sale in the Philippines in September and will be produced at Ford’s new USD 450-million, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand, which will supply the entire ASEAN region as well as other export markets.
July 4, 2012
PGA Cars Launches A1
PGA Cars, Inc., the official distributor of Audi vehicles in the Philippines has announced that the A1 is now available at their Greenhills, Alabang, and Global City Showrooms.
Audi's most compact model comes with the S-Line body kit and is being offered in several colors. It's powered by a 1.4-liter engine that features both a supercharger AND a turbocharger. It's also equipped with the 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. Thanks to the small engine as well as advanced transmission and start/stop system, the A1 returns an impressive 18.86 km/L.
For more information about the Audi A1, you may contact PGA Cars at (+63-2) 727-0381 to 85.
July 3, 2012
Review: 2012 Mazda3 2.0 R
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| Photos by Ulysses Ang |
Admittedly,
when the curtains were pulled off the all-new Mazda3, the reception was a bit
lackluster. Given the first-generation 3 collected numerous accolades and was
for a time, the Philippines’s best-selling compact car, expectations for the
new model was stratospherically high. Plus, since its arrival was a full two
years (and a facelift) behind schedule, everyone was expecting to be blown
away. Rumors circulated about the possibility of having a 2.0-liter hatchback,
a manual transmission option, and even the arrival of the mythical Mazdaspeed3.
July 2, 2012
CAMPI Announces Motor Show Schedule
Optimism hasn’t been any higher for the 13
members and affiliates of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the
Philippines, Inc. or CAMPI as they have officially announced the dates of the
fourth Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). Slated from Thursday, 16
August to Sunday, 20 August 2012 at the World
Trade Center
in Pasay City, this year’s show carries the theme
of: “Drive the Fun”.
June 29, 2012
Photo Break # 2: Road Less Traveled
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| Photo by Ulysses Ang |
All Photo Break photos can be downloaded as a desktop wallpaper This one's in a 1280x800 pixel resolution. Enjoy.
June 28, 2012
Lexus Tops J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Initial Quality Study
Lexus earned the honor as the highest-ranking nameplate in the automotive industry in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) with 73 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).
Lexus has ranked highest in the IQS study in 14 of the last 23 years, beginning with the brand’s first model year in 1990.
June 27, 2012
Ford Philippines to Conclude Manufacturing Operations by Year-End
This decision, part of Ford's ongoing restructuring of regional manufacturing operations to improve efficiencies and costs, and better leverage economies of scale, was made following a comprehensive assessment of opportunities to bring a new product program to the Philippines.
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