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September 17, 2012

Volvo XC70 Hailed as 2012 Executive Crossover at 8th C! Awards

The Volvo XC70 was hailed as the 2012 Executive Crossover at the 8th Annual C! Awards and has once again proven that it is the top choice when it comes to excellent cross country transport.

The Volvo XC70 is a sophisticated and elegant car for an active urban life and a reliable partner for all kinds of exciting adventures. A unique soft nose, characterized by a larger grille and headlamps, it is complemented with the dark colored body panels for an exclusive, rugged impression. The tailgate's upper section has a sportier forward-leaning stance. The tailgate overlaps the tail lamps, providing an even wider opening. The glass goes further down at the sides, enhancing rear view while the rails are integrated into the A-pillar moldings.

Toyota Motor Philippines Launches VNT-Equipped Fortuner, Hilux

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) improves its ever reliable Fortuner and Hilux models in September. With new engine specifications and interior entertainment improvements, both the Fortuner and Hilux prove to be a more road-worthy vehicle. Toyota aims to strengthen its SUV and Pick-up segment through its globally known International Innovative Multipurpose Vehicle (IMV) line-up.

Mazda Motor Corporation announced today that Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. will start the new distributorship of Mazda vehicles, parts, and accessories in the Philippines from January 1, 2013.

The major shareholders of Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. will be Bermaz Motor International Ltd, an indirect subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation Berhad, and Berjaya Philippines Inc. Berjaya Corporation Berhad is a major Malaysian conglomerate listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad while Berjaya Philippines Inc. is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Berjaya Corporation is also the Mazda distributor in Malaysia through its subsidiary company Bermaz Motor Sdn. Bhd.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) posts 19% growth in sales to 15,735 units sold in the first eight months of the year from 13, 271 units sold in the same period last year. The Passenger Car (PC) segment generated the bulk of the sales, rising by 59%, to 9,940 units sold versus the 6,241 units sold in the prior year. This noteworthy performance was spearheaded by the i10, Accent and Elantra models that grew by 60%, 57% and 55%, respectively. The EON is also picking up with an 18% share of total PC sales.

August alone experienced a 2% increase, again with the PC segment pulling up the growth by 72% to 1,014 units sold compared to 591 units sold in the same month a year ago.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) registered 24% growth in total sales with 19,875 units sold in the first eight months of the year versus 16,020 units in the same period last year. January-August 2012 also posted an increase in the Passenger Car (PC) segment, driving overall sales up by 50% to 12,049 units sold compared to 8,047 units sold from January-August last year. Top three contributors to positive sales were British United Automobiles, Inc., The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI).

AVID also showed a year-on-year growth of 1.8%, with 1,858 units sold in August as opposed to 1,825 units sold last year.

Ford Philippine Monthly Retail Sales at 574 Units, Boosted by New Focus

Ford Philippines today reported August retail sales of 574 units, reflecting the impact of the recent monsoons and flooding experienced across the country last month.

The start of deliveries of the all-new Ford Focus in the last week of the month gave a boost the company’s overall performance, with retail sales of 42 units adding to the August total.

Chevrolet Colorado Power-Up: Videos

Don't have Discovery Channel? No worries. We have the Chevrolet Colorado Power-Up Series right here! This video is set to play from Episode 1 and will automatically play through all the aired episodes. Enjoy.

2012 Subaru Impreza Challenge Manila Leg Finalists Crowned

The Philippine Team is ready! last September 8, 2012, Motor Image Pilipinas held its 5th year of the Subaru Impreza Challenge at the Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City with almost a hundred of participants who signed up and tried to make it to the top 10 who will be flown to Singapore for the Singapore Finals for a chance to win an All-new Subaru Impreza 2.0i worth Php1,158,000.00.

Chevrolet Colorado Power-Up Series Now Showing on Discovery Channel

The Covenant Car Company Incorporated (TCCCI) whets the appetite of truck lovers as its all-new Chevrolet Colorado takes main stage in a four-part feature series in the Discovery Channel, titled – “The Chevrolet Colorado - Power-up Series”. These exciting video features imparts to viewers the various key highlights of the new Colorado that redefines expectations of an impressive truck. Shot in Mt. Minalungao National Park, Nueva Ecija, the pick-up truck was subjected to several tests that demonstrate its unique and powerful capabilities.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Thumbs-up, catcalls, whistles, and snaps from cell phone cameras—this is what it’s like to drive the all-new Toyota 86 on public roads. No other car that I’ve driven, including other two-door sports cars twice or even quadruple the price gets and attracts as much attention as this. And this is just the first hour of a five-day love affair with Toyota’s dreamy coupe. Forget twisty mountain roads or race tracks, we all know how the 86 can easily beat the best of them, so you won’t hear any of that here. The mission here is to find out if the 86 is as good as any Toyota as a daily driver.

Motor Image Pilipinas has finally given the all-new fourth-generation Subaru Impreza a star-studded welcoming party by formally introducing it at the culmination activity of the Subaru Impreza Challenge at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The all-new Impreza features a bolder, more dynamic design along with an all-new highly-efficient powertrain. In addition, the Impreza gains increased interior room, higher levels of refinement, new amenities, and high-grade interior materials. All in all, Subaru is confident that the Impreza will offer a more rewarding driving and ownership experience like never before.

HARI Shows Off 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Video

Simply can't have enough of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe? Well, here's a feast for your eyes as Hyundai Automotive Resources, Inc. (HARI) has produced a video locally celebrating the Genesis Coupe going sideways.

Honda Releases Flood Gates on 2013 Accord Info

American Honda Motor Co., the North American arm of Honda Cars has finally released a flood gate of images and information about the 2013 Accord. The biggest news is a reduction in both length and wheelbase in the 2013 model compared to the outgoing one. Other than that, the Accord is slated to get Honda's new-generation "Earth Dreams" engines available in two configurations: a 2.4-liter inline-4 and a 3.5-liter V6.

The winners for Petron Corporation’s annual student art competition were honored in ceremonies held last 30 August 2012, at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Themed Lakbay Alalay Para Sa Kalikasan —A Journey of Nurturing Nature, this year’s competition focused on the different ways of caring for and protecting the environment, such as Petron's own efforts to protect biodiversity through coastal management, reforestation, mangrove planting, creating fish sanctuaries and artificial reefs, and protecting sea turtles.

A record-breaking 1,700 entries were submitted in the three competition categories, namely: painting (oil/acrylic and water-based media); photography; and printmaking. Three National Artists—Benedicto Cabrera, who served as chairman; Napoleon Abueva and Abdulmari Imao—were among the 9 judges of the painting category. The photography category was chaired by Wig Tysmans, while the printmaking category was chaired by Raul Isidro. To kick off the awarding ceremony, the Vision Petron judges symbolically planted seedlings to signify their commitment to saving and preserving the environment for future generations.

If you are into high velocity action, chances are that the engine performance, precision handling and even the vehicle’s aerodynamic design and profile are at the top of the checklist when considering a sports car. Luxuries like ample cabin space, impressive dashboard design and even a top-of-the-line entertainment system are easily sacrificed. But it doesn’t always have to be this way.

So what do you get when you cross the best luxuries of a premium Hyundai sedan and the high performance engineering of a sports car? You get the new 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

In celebration of BMW’s continued leadership in the premium automotive segment, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, is pleased to announce a Special Pricing Program for all BMW models from September 1 until the end of the month, bringing Joy beyond driving experience.

“As a way to give back to our valued clients and celebrate the sustained leadership of BMW in the premium luxury segment, we are offering this special pricing program for all our model variants,” said Glen Dasig, ACC’s Executive Director for Sales and Marketing. “We hope that this program will encourage consumers to invest on a premium vehicle. There’s definitely joy when you choose a BMW.”

For more information on how to avail of BMW’s Special Pricing Program and for the complete list of BMW models, visit the BMW dealership nearest you.

September 9, 2012

Land Rovering: More Fun in the Philippines

Land Rover and the Department of Tourism has teamed up with a new campaign entitled, "Land Rovering: More Fun in the Philippines".

This is the first in a series of TV commercials. This one features the Range Rover Evoque playing in the Paoay Sand Dunes as well as other places in Ilocos Norte.

CAMPI PIMS Motor Show Attracts 50,000 Visitors

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) said its recently held 4th Philippine International Motor Show provided the public an opportunity to “experience a world-class motor show” as it vowed to cooperate closely with the government in re-crafting a road map that will further strengthen the auto industry.

Thanking the public for their support, Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, CAMPI president and vice president of Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, said: “We have managed to draw around 50,000 visitors to the four-day event. But more important than the numbers, we have given our fellow Filipinos another opportunity to experience a world-class motor show that showcased the latest in automotive technology and motoring trends without having to set foot on foreign soil.”

LRPhils Motors, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles in the Philippines is embarking on a unique tie-up with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) by launching a new tourism awareness campaign entitled: “Land Rovering: More Fun in the Philippines”.

Chairman Richard J. Gordon of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) receives a PhP 1 million donation from Ford Group Philippines AVP for Government Affairs, Josie Gonzalez (middle) and AVP for Communications, Anika Salceda-Wycoco (far right) to support ongoing relief efforts and capacity-building activities of the PRC across the Philippines.

September 7, 2012

Philippine Car Price Guide: September 2012

Well, it's officially the "-ber" months, and new car launches will undoubtedly slow down. But hey, that doesn't mean there aren't any new cars in the market. In fact, we've got some new ones in this update of the Philippine Car Price Guide, including some models which have been previewed at the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). This month's update includes:

Chevrolet Captiva (facelifted)
Chevrolet Sonic
Chevrolet Tahoe (return)
Hyundai i10 1.1 (return)
Hyundai i10 1.2 GLS Premium
Hyundai i30 (return)
Isuzu Alterra Urban Cruiser X (price adjustment)
Isuzu Crosswind X (price adjustment)
Kia Optima 2.4 EX
Lexus LX 570 (price adjustment)
Lexus RX450h (price adjustment)
Mitsubishi Mirage
Nissan Navara TechXtreme
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Fortuner VNT
Toyota Hiace (price adjustment)
Toyota Hilux VNT
Toyota Innova (price adjustment)
Toyota Land Cruiser V8 (price adjustment)
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (price adjustment)
Toyota Vios 1.3 J Limited
Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD

A Notice from Toyota Motor Philippines

There have been reports of SMS and e-mail circulation informing that the customers have won a Toyota Lottery, Toyota Contest, etc. and require personal details like your bank account number to claim your prize money or prize vehicle.

DO NOT respond to these messages. Toyota will never require you to give out such information, and official Toyota contests or promotions will always be publicized in newspapers and our official website.

Dishonest characters will find any means possible to take advantage of you. We urge our customers to be on high alert and not to fall prey to these scams that are on the rise.

To check if such messages are legitimate, do not hesitate to confirm with us through our CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER HOTLINE (CAC) (02) 819-2912.

Chevrolet Brings Sonic to PHL - Top Gear Philippines

According to the folks at Top Gear Philippines, The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in the country has quietly rolled the all-new Sonic (i.e. new Aveo) into showrooms.

Initially available as a 4-door sedan, the all-new Sonic is powered by Chevrolet's new generation 1.4-liter engine with 99 horsepower. Inside, the Sonic gains the motorcycle inspired instrument cluster first seen in the Spark. The Spark is available in both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic versions (not dual clutch, not CVT).

The all-new Chevrolet Sonic 4-door is priced at P 778,888 for the manual and P 828,888 for the automatic model. The 5-door hatchback will be launched next month.

Source: Top Gear Philippines

Ford of Europe revealed the refreshed and updated Fiesta at the company's "Go Further" product event which was hosted by Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. The new Fiesta shows off a new design direction as well as even more technology in the already high-tech B-segment car.

Among the key highlights of the 2013 Fiesta include the debut of the voice-activated in-car connectivity system Ford SYNC, Active City Stop, and the European debut of MyKey. The Fiesta will also be made available with the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine which is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy.

Photo Courtesy of Volvo Press

Volvo Philippines shares the pride with the All-New Volvo V40 receiving top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP collision test. The overall result is the best ever recorded by the institute.

"A fantastic result. We are very proud to have one of the world's safest cars and we're taking yet another important step toward our 2020 target - that nobody should die or be seriously injured in a Volvo," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Technical Advisor Safety at Volvo Car Corporation.

Review: 2012 Subaru Forester XT

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Filipino car buyer is increasingly becoming picky. In the olden times, whether you wanted a basic sedan, a pick-up, or a luxury sedan, as long as it’s got four wheels, you’ll end up with a Toyota. Now, there are more than half a dozen mainstream brands, each one promising its own breed of ownership experience; be it bulletproof build or driver-centric handling. Subaru is one of these new players. After initially offering just rally-bred, turbocharged machines, Subaru is now taking their act to Main Street Manila. And today, not a day goes by without seeing at least one car with the Star of Pleiades badge upfront.

Photo Courtesy of Ford Press

Ford Motor Company today celebrates the company's 350 millionth vehicle – a Ford Focus, which is the world's best-selling car for the first half of 2012.

Ford is celebrating the production milestone at its newest global manufacturing facility located in Rayong, Thailand, approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) southeast of Bangkok. Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) plant is a $450 million facility, opened in May to produce the new Focus, which also is built in four other countries. FTM represents the latest in Ford's global manufacturing capabilities, with new stamping presses, flexible body shops and robotic capabilities that enable it to produce up to six different vehicles simultaneously.

UPDATED: Toyota Fortuner, Hilux to Get Engine Upgrade Soon?

Photo courtesy of Toyota Press

The biggest complaint when the revised Toyota Hilux and Fortuner came out was that the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo models (2.5 G) was still rocking the old 102 horsepower engine. This certainly pales in comparison to its chief rivals from Mitsubishi.

Well, all that's about to change.

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September 17, 2012

Volvo XC70 Hailed as 2012 Executive Crossover at 8th C! Awards

September 13, 2012

Toyota Motor Philippines Launches VNT-Equipped Fortuner, Hilux

Official: Berjaya Auto Philippines Takes Over Mazda Distributorship Starting 2013

HARI Sales Up 19% January-August 2012

AVID Posts 24% Growth from January-August 2012

September 12, 2012

Ford Philippine Monthly Retail Sales at 574 Units, Boosted by New Focus

Chevrolet Colorado Power-Up: Videos

2012 Subaru Impreza Challenge Manila Leg Finalists Crowned

September 11, 2012

Chevrolet Colorado Power-Up Series Now Showing on Discovery Channel

Review: 2012 Toyota 86 Aero

Motor Image Pilipinas Launches 2012 Impreza

September 10, 2012

HARI Shows Off 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Video

Honda Releases Flood Gates on 2013 Accord Info

Winners of 2012 Petron Student Art Competition Announced

HARI Launches 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Special Pricing Program for All BMW Models

September 9, 2012

Land Rovering: More Fun in the Philippines

CAMPI PIMS Motor Show Attracts 50,000 Visitors

Land Rover Teams Up with Department of Tourism

Ford Donates P 1-Million to Philippine Red Cross to Support Ongoing Relief Efforts

September 7, 2012

Philippine Car Price Guide: September 2012

September 6, 2012

A Notice from Toyota Motor Philippines

Chevrolet Brings Sonic to PHL - Top Gear Philippines

Ford Reveals Updated Fiesta, Launching in Asia-Pacific Soon

Record-Breaking Safety Rating for All-New Volvo V40

September 4, 2012

Review: 2012 Subaru Forester XT

Ford Celebrates 350 Millionth Vehicle, Focus is Best-Selling Car in the World

September 3, 2012

UPDATED: Toyota Fortuner, Hilux to Get Engine Upgrade Soon?