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July 31, 2012

Review: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Avantgarde

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Mercedes-Benz has always been regarded as the choice of the privileged and the upper class. The mere sight of the three-pointed star atop the radiator grille is enough to cause a sea of traffic to part, the security guards to salute and the valet to give up the VIP parking slot. Lately though, Mercedes-Benz has embarked on a diversification campaign, creating almost every conceivable permutation it can make from four-door coupes, to SUVs of varying sizes to even premium hatchbacks. Nowadays, every Tom, Dick, and Harry can get a Mercedes-Benz that feels tailor-made to his budget, taste, and lifestyle. Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz hasn’t lost sight on the cars that made them successful in the first place.

Tuason Races in the Belgian F1 Track

After posting the best time in his division in Germany, Multi-Awarded Racecar driver JP Tuason has continued on to the Porsche Sports Cup in Circuit de Spa, the Formula 1 track in Belgium.

Tuason, who went to race in Germany to explore the different opportunities for Filipino Racers in Europe, posted the fastest time around the famed Nurburgring track, and was invited once again to race in the next level of Competition.

Drifting is the fastest growing motorsport in the world, and now starts its season once again here in the Philippines dubbed as the 7th Season of the Philippine Lateral Drift Championship Series 2012. This season will have a full calendar of six rounds which will start this July until the month of November. The 4 rounds will be held in Manila and the other 2 rounds at Clark Pampanga. A total 40+ Amateurs and Pro drivers from all over the region have been counted and ready to start this year action.

Photos courtesy of Subaru Press

Subaru is on a hot streak in the Philippines. After launching their all-new XV compact crossover at the 8^th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) last April, orders have steadily come in. In fact, thanks largely to the overwhelming success of the XV as well as the Forester, the brand is heading towards another record year in terms of sales. And they haven’t stopped to take a breather just yet.

Lexus Manila Launches 2012 ES 350

Photos courtesy of Lexus Press

The introduction of the all-new 2012 ES350 marks the sixth generation of Lexus’ popular luxury sedan since its introduction over 20 years ago. Featuring the signature Lexus spindle grille, a progressive new design and enhanced handling, the ES brings new levels of refinement and quality to the entry luxury segment. The ES is sure to impress new and loyal consumers. “Since its introduction in 1989, the ES has been the benchmark luxury sedan for quality, reliability, ride comfort and value,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The new ES350 raises the bar once again.”

Photo courtesy of Lexus Press

Last April, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) launched the Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (TCPOV) program with the aim of providing a one-stop shop convenient service to its customers. This July, TMP is introducing the same program to its luxury brand Lexus. With the launch of the Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (LCPOV) program, Lexus brings its world renowned service another level higher.

Petron Offers "Blaze Your Way to the Grand Prix" Promo

Gassing up with Petron and paying with your MasterCard could win you a free trip to the Formula One Grand Prix! The "Blaze Your Way to the Grand Prix" promo is an e-raffle running from July 15 to September 15, 2012.

Volvo introduces a pioneering preventive safety technology in 2008 called City Safety. This Volvo world-first technology was introduced as standard with the Volvo XC60 which helped reduced risk of rear-end collisions between a car and a Volvo.

Photo courtesy of Ford Press

Ford Philippines prepares for the launch of the class-defining all-new Ford Focus by conducting a Focus Specialist Certification Program to select sales teams and consultants.

Powered by Ford Academy, a regional training program aimed to enhance dealership competence and capability, the Focus Specialist Certification Program is an intensive three-day training program designed to equip the Ford sales team with comprehensive product knowledge of the all-new Ford Focus including its segment-first smart technologies.

First Drive: 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage

Photos by Ulysses Ang

BANGKOK, THAILAND—Small is big nowadays. With the price of crude oil continuing to skyrocket worldwide, carmakers are scrambling to produce a global small car: one that caters to both the sophisticated, eco-conscious taste of the first-world markets and the price-sensitive, practical needs of the emerging markets. Mitsubishi is the latest automaker to enter the B-segment (sub-compact car) fray, and their answer: the all-new Mirage.

In spite of the supply constraints experienced during the start of this year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) registered total sales of 16,956 units in the first half of 2012 representing modest sales growth of 0.5% compared to the same period last year. With these numbers, Mitsubishi remains to be the second best selling brand in the country as it cornered 23.3% market share based on consolidated reports of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

Photo courtesy of BMW Press

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, held the ground breaking ceremony of its newest BMW dealership, the Auto Allee BMW in Eton Centries, North EDSA. The dealership will be BMW's 4th dealer in Metro Manila, bringing the tally of BMW Dealerships to seven nationwide.

Photo courtesy of Lexus Press

Lexus Manila is set to launch their all-new ES sedan on Wednesday, July 25. Follow us on Twitter as we give you a blow-by-blow launch coverage of Lexus's best-selling sedan (both in the Philippines as well as North America). Our coverage starts at 7 PM.

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.

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.

Honda Cars Philippines Issues Voluntary Recall for 2012 CR-V

Photo courtesy of Honda Press

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announces a voluntary recall of some 834 vehicles of Honda CR-V 2012 year model sold in the Philippines for the period of April to July 2012, to replace the inner door handle and/or door latch assembly with countermeasure parts.

Photo courtesy of Petron Press

Petron Corporation, the country's leading oil company, is opening up investment opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs by offering them a chance to own and operate a Petron service station. With Petron's expertise, track record, and market leadership, enterprising Filipinos from all walks of life will have the opportunity to start a great business and grow with a company they can trust.

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.

Ford Philippines Launches Iconic Mustang; Prices Start at P 2.499M

Photo courtesy of Ford Press

The new Ford Mustang today made its much anticipated debut in the Philippines at a festive launch event in Manila, with Ford announcing official market pricing for the company’s iconic sports car.

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.

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.

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.

Honda Cars Philippines Launches Civic Variants

Photos courtesy of Honda Press

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), today launched the full variant line-up of the all-new Honda Civic.

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.

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

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.

Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Press

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) gives more reason to love the Lancer EX with the introduction of the 1.6 liter variants and an upgraded 2-liter GT-A model. The Lancer EX 1.6 liter will come in 3 variants: the base GLX with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic and the top of the line MX with 4-speed automatic transmission. The new Lancer EX with the all new 1.6 liter MIVEC engine will definitely appeal to buyers of both sub-compact and compact sedans who are looking for a good balance of power and fuel economy.

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.

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.

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%.

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