At a ceremony hosted by Bridgestone Corporation at the New York Auto Show last month, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman were named the 2013 World Performance Car. The Cayman celebrated its world premiere only last November at the International Motor Show in Los Angeles, while the Boxster has been on the market now for a year.

The World Car Awards (WCA) are presented annually in four categories - Car Design, Green Car, Performance Car and Car of the Year. Winners are determined by an international panel of 66 automotive journalists from 23 countries. Jurors are appointed by the World Car Steering Committee based on automotive expertise, experience, credibility and influence.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, posted a 4% year-on-year (YoY) growth in March 2013 compared to the same period last year.

Bouncing back from a supply-hampered February, Hyundai cars on both passenger and commercial vehicle fronts posted favourable numbers, with passenger cars (PC) registering a 2% growth to finish at 1,343 units vs. 1,316 in March 2012. The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, meanwhile, also posted strong digits with 984 Hyundai LCVs rolling off showroom floors from 929 units in March 2012.

Month-on-month figures showed even more vigour, registering a 43% increase in March over February 2013. Leading the charge were Hyundai’s passenger car (PC) models which posted an impressive 63% growth over February 2013. Not to be outdone, LCV models bannered an equally remarkable 22% growth in the same period.

Leading the pack was an eclectic mix of vehicles ranging from the Eon sub-compact, the popular Elantra compact sedan, as well as Hyundai’s newest offerings, the Santa Fe SUV and Genesis Coupe sports car.

CATS Motors, Inc., the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in the Philippines recently held the 2013 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience. This half-day track event is designed not just to bring the different Mercedes-Benz passenger cars through its paces (including the SLS AMG) but also to teach invaluable lessons to the driver, especially when it came to emergency maneuvers.

Measuring a car’s speed by the kilometers it covers in an hour is as obsolete as the eight-track tape. Drivers need a speed measurement that reflects our go-anywhere-fast lifestyle, and kilometers per hour just doesn’t cut it anymore. We must replace kilometers per hour with meters per second—before it’s too late.

The next time you’re driving your Honda Civic or Lamborghini Gallardo or whatever it is you’re driving, look at the speedometer. What do the numbers read? 20 kilometers per hour? 60 kilometers per hour? 100 kilometers per hour? Whether you’re stuck on EDSA (which is pretty much every single minute these days) or flying like a low-altitude jetfighter on the NLEX, what do those numbers actually mean?

The airbag recall that just hit Honda apparently has larger repercussions. A few hours after Honda announced the recall of its Civic and CR-V models, some of which were sold in the Philippines, the airbag problem seems to encompass Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda vehicles. The total number of recalled vehicles is expected to reach 3.5 million cars worldwide.

Toyota announced that it is recalling 1.7 million cars including the Corolla, Matrix, and Camry. Honda is recalling 1.1 million cars while Nissan is recalling 480,000 cars while Mazda is adding some 45,000 vehicles. All of the said vehicles sourced its airbags from Japan-based Takata Corporation. The same company was subject to a seat belt recall in 1995. Most vehicles affected by the recall were manufactured from 2001-2003.

More details soon.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announces a voluntary recall of some 9,743 units of the Honda Civic year models 2001 to 2002 and CR-V year model 2002 sold in the Philippines for the period of 2001 to 2002 due to faulty inflation device of the front passenger airbag.
Findings show that during manufacturing process, the automatic rejection system machine failed to detect defective Airbag Inflators with low density propellants.  Subsequently, these defective inflation devices were installed in these vehicles. As a result, upon airbag deployment, the pressure increases excessively and might cause the inflator case to rupture.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Isuzu Philippines Corporation has formally introduced last April 11 at Makati Shangri-La Hotel a new company president.  On May 3, Nobuo Izumina officially replaced Ryoji Yamazaki, who was assigned Managing Director of Isuzu Car Life, an affiliate of Isuzu Motors Limited (IML). Izumina, 56, brings with him 33 years of work experience with IML handling overseas operations.

Born in Tokyo, Izumina was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Isuzu Camiones Andinos in Bogota, Colombia. He joined IML’s Production Control Department in 1980, a month after receiving a degree in Economics from the Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. He rose through the ranks  having been assigned to the company’s Overseas Distribution Department, and later as Manager of the Sales Department handling North America.

Ford Philippines today announced that its momentum to start the year continued in March with the company delivering its best-ever sales for the month, and capping off its all-time best first quarter performance.

Driven by strong sales across Ford’s growing product lineup in the Philippines, March retail sales rose 61 percent year-over-year to 1,000 vehicles. Overall retail sales during Ford’s record first quarter nearly doubled from the same period a year ago, rising 91 percent to 2,685 vehicles.

UPDATE: A second (and longer) trailer is provided after the break.

Ron Howard (Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind) is bringing the epic 1976 Formula 1 title fight between Nicki Lauda and James Hunt to the big screen. This is the first look at his new movie, RUSH. It focuses on the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda as well as Lauda's recovery from his near fatal crash.

RUSH stars Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt and Daniel Bruhl as Niki Lauda. RUSH is slated to open in the US on September 20, 2013.

Photos by Ash Mahintay. Courtesy of CATS Motors, Inc.

Better driving skills can make a world of a difference for everyone on the road. Mercedes-Benz approaches the skill of driving from a holistic point of view. State-of-the-art Active and Passive systems need to be complemented by the necessary driving skills in order to ensure better protection for drivers and passengers, even pedestrians.

How did the all-new Subaru Forester do in the recently concluded ForesterDRIVE to Sagada? See it for yourself and hear it straight from the journalists who were there to drive Subaru's all-new crossover. Witness the all-new Forester tackle different terrain from the smooth highway roads of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to off-roading in the lahar trails of Porac, Pampanga to the long drives going up to Baguio and Sagada itself.

Video courtesy of Ardie Lopez

Well, I have to apologize in advance for not coming out with the Philippine Car Price Guide last month as my laptop decided to blow itself into tiny little pieces. So after some re-installation work, restoration of back-up files, and other stuff...we're back again to our usual monthly updates. With the Manila International Auto Show or MIAS just finished a few days ago, there's a slew of updates here including:

• Chery
• Ford Explorer (2013 models)
• Ford Ranger (10 variants including the new Wildtrak)
• Hyundai Accent CRD
• Jeep Wrangler Moab / Wrangler Unlimited Moab
• Kia Carens
• Mazda6 2.5 SKYACTIV
• Mitsubishi Strada 2.5 GLX 4WD
• Peugeot RCZ (2013 model)
• Subaru Forester
• Subaru XV (2013 models)
• Toyota Corolla Altis (price adjustment)
• Toyota Fortuner (price adjustment)
• Toyota Hilux (price adjustment)
• Toyota Innova (price adjustment)

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Toyota 86 has become a tremendous success story for Toyota Motor Philippines since its launch mid last year. Not only has it hammered down the point that “fun is back” at Toyota, but it has successfully drawn car enthusiasts, myself included, who wouldn’t have considered owning a Toyota in the first place. Several people have offered varying suggestions on why it’s become such a sought-after car, but I’d like to offer my own reason: it’s a vehicle designed solely with precision in mind. Undoubtedly, it’s a wonderful piece of machinery designed to be one of the best handling sports car on the planet. Forget straight line speed or mind-boggling acceleration—the Toyota 86 isn’t about any of that. Instead, the 86 is about pure, unadulterated handling delight. It’s a sports car in the purest form. Show it a canyon course with dozens of switchbacks and hairpins, and it will put a smile on your face.

Hyundai, the official mobility partner of Solaire Open 2013, hits the greens with the 2013 Santa Fe and the All-New Azera as Asian Tour International, Ltd. once again brings Asia’s prestigious professional golf tournament to the Philippines on April 8-14, 2013 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Mandaluyong City.

For the tourney week, an exclusive fleet of new breed Santa Fes will serve as official shuttles for 150 professional and amateur golfers from 14 participating countries, including the Philippines.
Because only an SUV of refined yet sportive calibre shines with Asia’s best in this gentleman’s game of performance and distinction.

UPDATE: We just included a video after the break as well.

Audi has joined forces with Disney and Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, LLC for the release of Marvel’s Iron Man 3 due in theaters  this May 2013. The brand will once again be highlighted throughout the entire film. The Audi R8, R8 Spyder, A8, S5, and Q7 were all featured in the first and second installments.

“Audi is excited to once again showcase the brand’s cutting edge technology and sleek design with the Audi R8 e-tron in Marvel’s Iron Man 3,” said Loren Angelo, General Manager of Brand Marketing for Audi of America. “This is a strategic collaboration for us. Similar to the position of the R8 as an innovation leader, Iron Man’s character consistently evolves throughout the trilogy as he masterminds new trends in technology and engineering.”

Every BMW SAV has been a trailblazer. The world premiere of the first BMW SAV (the BMW X5) in 1999 saw the BMW Group create the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment – one in which BMW SAVs remain the market leaders. The BMW X3 and BMW X1 were likewise the first SAVs in their classes, and continue to define these types of vehicles today.

The results of the Philippine Car of the Year, with the Mitsubishi Mirage winning the ultimate prize and the Mazda BT-50 getting the Philippine Truck of the Year, is controversial to some people. Well, the folks over at the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI), the organization that runs the Philippine Car of the Year is more than happy to put those doubts to rest.

Although we're not exactly privy on the exact weights of the Qualitative and Instrument tests, we do have a breakdown of how all the 2012-2013 entrants fared when it came to the group's Instrumented tests which consisted of: Acceleration, Braking, and Slalom.

See the entire long graphic file after the break.

At a grand event on the first day of the 2013 Manila International Auto Show, the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI) has revealed the 2012-2013 Car of the Year - Philippines: the Mitsubishi Mirage.

The culmination of a year's testing, preparations and deliberations by the Car Awards Group, Inc, the 2012-2013 COTY-P season saw a field of 81 new cars, crossovers, SUVs, trucks, sportscars and vans that competed in 19 different categories, as well as the coveted title of Car Of The Year - Philippines.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has recently announced to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that it will conduct a safety recall of the Mitsubishi Mirage GLS models equipped with Antilock Brake System both for manual and automatic transmission variants.

Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) member Focus Ventures, Inc., which exclusively distributes, markets, and services top-of-segment Chinese brands King Long buses and vans and FAW commercial trucks in the Philippines, introduces King Long Max at the ICON Innovation in Mobility Expo.

Keeping in mind space and comfort, this light commercial vehicle is designed with an improved high-roof ceiling, a 2+1 seat arrangement, accessible back row, and increased luggage space that can accommodate up to 16 passengers and more baggage, sans crowding. The airy cabin design, robust power, entertainment features, and safety conveniences make King Long Max a reliable road companion for families, especially for long drives.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Have you ever wondered how Hyundai has become one of the most innovative and revolutionary car brands in the world today? The secret is in its concept cars.

Always reinventing, always revolutionizing, Hyundai’s research and development (R&D) centers around the globe are constantly designing new concept cars or prototypes every year to benchmark its contemporary drives. While not all concept cars end being mass produced, many become test-beds or inspirations for new car designs and features that serve true to the purpose of improving automotive technology, and ultimately, our way of driving.

Like the inspired strokes of an artist, deliberate in every curve, and every element, the all-new Hyundai Azera is an automotive piece of art where every part, shape, composition and design is beautiful.  Authoritative and confident standing still and in motion, it brings in a new era of Hyundai in the premium sedan category and benchmarks another engineering feat in the automotive world.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Innovation.  Individuality.  Inspiration.  Hyundai seems to evoke these words whenever the renowned automotive brand rolls out a new i-series model from its mobility innovation stable.  It wasn’t too long ago when the i-series models— top-billed by the i10 and i30--were introduced to the Philippine automotive scene.  Now, Hyundai gives the motoring public something new to look forward to, as it showcases another i-series model that further highlights Hyundai’s flair for distinctly European design. Make way for the Euro-chic i40.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Technology never sleeps and as technology keeps advancing, many people on the lookout for a new car are thinking about investing on a hybrid, not only for the cutting-edge features, but mostly for fuel efficiency and better mileage. Many view the hybrid as the industry’s “Holy Grail” of-the-moment. As gas prices continue to rise and the clamor for the most economical cars surges, so do car manufacturers step up.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) once again convenes top minds from the government, business, and academe at the third Thought Leadership Forum (TLF) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Dubbed ICON (Innovation Congress), this year’s TLF is a milestone for AVID with its powerhouse events--the ICON forum on April 5 and the Innovation in Mobility Expo, which runs April 5-7, 2013 at The ICON on 32nd Avenue cor. 9th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Admission to the Congress and Expo is free.

Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI), Honda’s automobile assembly and sales subsidiary in the Philippines, introduces the Detachable Third Row Seat accessory for select variants of its CR-V model.
Beginning April 1, 2013, the 2.0 LX (2WD with automatic transmission) and 2.4 LX (4WD with automatic transmission) variants will have the Detachable Third Row Seat accessory.

Even if Peugeot returned to the Philippine market just a year ago, they’ve been making themselves busy. For The Manila International Auto Show, Peugeot is showcasing their updated RCZ sports coupe. The RCZ is made even more of a stunner thanks to the revamped front end which echoes Peugeot’s new design direction. The RCZ ditches the single gaping grille for a two-level grille separated by a body-colored section. This small change does wonders to the RCZ’s style which is comprised of the sweeping proportions, low rear deck, and bubble top roofline. And despite having only a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the RCZ has 156 horsepower good for a 0-100 km/h time of just 7.8 seconds.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

The seventh model in the Mini range, the Paceman is more than just the Countryman with the two rear doors chopped off. The exterior is restyled and is sleeker thanks to a sloping roof line, horizontal tail lamps, and a sleek rear glass that haunch up. The suspension is also sportier, making the Paceman sit lower than the Countryman. Inside, the Paceman gets some fiddling including the migration of the power windows switches from the center console to the doors. Under the hood, the Paceman is powered by the same engines powering the Countryman so expect a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with different tunes from 122 horsepower all the way to 208 horsepower for the John Cooper Works model.