Following a month that saw severe storms impact the country for a second consecutive year, Ford Philippines today reported August retail sales that rose 44 percent year-over-year to 826 units, driven by continued strength in demand for the class-defining all-new Ford Ranger.

Ford continues to be the country’s fastest growing automotive brand in 2013 with year-to-date retail sales rising 79 percent through August to 8,360 units.

A new skyline for Frankfurt am Main: Audi once again has a spectacular architecture in store for visitors of the International Motor Show (IAA). Constructed specially for the exhibition, the building invites visitors to consider the parameters for urban mobility from an unusual point of view. Inside, skyscrapers and entire city districts sprout from the ceiling to create “hanging cities”. Visitors walking through the pavilion experience the diverse requirements on future mobility and the technological innovations from Audi.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces today that cumulative global sales of the Toyota “Corolla”, the world’s most popular car, surpassed 40 million in July, reaching 40.01 million units. This milestone marks another historic achievement for the Corolla, Toyota’s perennial global car.

The Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA) celebrated the commencement exercises for its 9th batch of scholars held last Saturday, 31 August 2013. Sixteen students were carefully selected by Porsche officials and these scholars underwent complete training in preparation for their role as certified Porsche Service Mechatronics to be deployed in various Porsche Centers worldwide. To date, there are already 127 PTRCA graduates who are currently employed in Porsche Centers located in the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Established in April 2008, the PTRCA is the first Porsche technical training facility outside of Germany made possible through the partnership of Porsche AG, Don Bosco Technical Institute, and PGA Cars. The program aims to provide technical training complete with Porsche training vehicles and special tools, English language training, financial support and employment to underprivileged but deserving Filipino youths.

For more information please contact Porsche Center Philippines at +63-2-7270381 to 85 or visit its showroom located at 201 EDSA Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

Honda has revealed a couple of photos of its all-new Jazz (known as the Fit in Japan) a few weeks after a magazine leaked out some photos. And from the photos, we like what we're seeing. It sports Honda's new "Exciting H Design!!!" design language, which the brand's attempt to inject more style into their products after some pretty lackluster effort of late.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a new design concept, "EXCITING H DESIGN!!!," that will be applied to all Honda automobiles globally to promote a more unique character and stronger presence around the world.

Pilipinas Shell, one of the country’s leading energy companies, teams up with Marketing Convergence Inc., the company behind SM Advantage, the country’s biggest loyalty program, to bring greater reward experience for Filipino motorists. Starting September 1, motorists that gas up in close to 1000 Shell Retail stations can earn rewards points for their SM Advantage Card, SM Prestige and BDO Rewards Cards.

Ford Philippines today celebrated the continued expansion of its nationwide dealer network with the official opening of Ford General Santos in Mindanao.

Ford General Santos is the tenth new full sales and service outlet the Company has opened in less than one year, helping the Company grow its network by nearly 50 percent.

Following the recent calamity brought by typhoon Maring and southwest monsoon rain, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) conveys its deepest sympathy to the victims of the calamity. Further, as a way of helping its customers with inundated vehicles, the company is extending substantial discounts on parts and services to somehow help ease the burden of its valued customers.

Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) ranked first among luxury brands at having dealerships that are effective at influencing the purchase, according to Foresight Research's 2013 Dealership Report. Foresight Research provides this yearly report as a comprehensive evaluation of current dealership experiences, buyer expectations, selection criteria and overall purchase influence versus all other marketing efforts.

The new Mazda6 is officially one of the safest cars on the road after receiving five stars from Euro NCAP, the highest rating possible. The result corroborates Mazda’s strategy to enhance the safety of all its vehicles with innovations like the impact-absorbing SKYACTIV-Body. And with the i-ACTIVESENSE range of driver-supporting active safety technology.

The Fiesta, spanning 6 generations with more than 15 million Fiestas sold globally since 1976, has taken the market by storm with its big features.

Here’s a look at Fiesta’s history and how it’s managed to stay fresh over the years.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is pleased to announce that it will be holding a sneak preview of the all-new Mirage G4 starting September 2.   The all-new Mirage G4 which is the next generation global sub-compact sedan will be the latest addition to MMPC’s exciting passenger car lineup.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

As the first premium compact crossover, the BMW X1 was the trailblazer of the segment. After some three and a half years, sales have already exceeded 300,000 units worldwide. Of course, competitors have arrived and now, the X1 responds with a well-timed nip-tuck to meet a raft of new challengers. With its specially modified body design, upgraded interior, new range of BMW Lines, and new equipment, the BMW X1 delivers a more intense experience.

This rainy season, Honda reiterates its adherence towards safety by extending its Tires and Batteries Promo!

Maintain your grip on the slippery roads and take advantage of original, brand new tires at your nearest Honda dealer, now at their absolute LOWEST PRICES EVER. Plus if you purchase at least two (2) tires, you are entitled to a FREE full gallon of Honda's Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil (Valued at Php 1,500).  Purchase of four (4) tires gets you a full gallon of Honda's Fully Synthetic Engine Oil (Valued at Php 2,400). You can claim your free Oils on your next Preventive Maintenance visit at the same dealership where you purchased your tires!

Last August 17, 2013, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) gave a preview of heart-racing fun piloted by the All-New Vios at the recently held World of Toyota Motor Show. Focused on waku-doki , which is FUN in Japanese, some of the Philippines’ most exciting stars gathered to #startthefun at the World Trade Center by driving the country’s no. 1 selling car!  Celebrities like Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Sam YG and Phoemela Barranda were just a few of the many personalities who drove the all-new fun machine!

Put a tiger in your tank! You might recognize this slogan if you were a motorist in the ‘60s. Back then, Petron went by the name of Esso Philippines and Esso Extra was one of its well-known gasoline products.
Decades before putting “a tiger in your tank,” Petron has been fuelling your journeys on the road. It all started on September 7, 1933, when American oil firms Socony Vacuum Oil Company and Standard Oil Company merged to form Standard Vacuum Oil Company or Stanvac.

Mazda Motor Corporation is set to increase the production capacity of its highly acclaimed SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines and SKYACTIV-D diesel engines. From the current annual run of 800,000 SKYACTIV engines at its Hiroshima Plant, the Japanese company is targeting to boost its total SKYACTIV engine production to 1,000,000 units by the end of 2014. This is in response to the strong global sales of SKYACTIV technology-equipped Mazda vehicles.

We’ve always been asked and here’s our answer. These are our Top 10 picks for the best vehicles to traverse through Manila’s flooded streets. Though we’re sure any of these vehicles are truly capable, we still suggest that you stay on the side of caution. Check out our Tips on how to cross a flooded street.

Now, on to the list…

By now, you probably don't remember who Christopher Lao is. He's the guy who infamously made his Nissan Sentra swim like an aquatic creature in front of a TV news camera no less. His fifteen minutes of fame, countless Internet memes, and another less-than-viral marketing campaign are all over; but the lesson we could all take from that incident should serve as a permanent reminder of how we can make more intelligent decisions on the road, particularly when the weather is less than cooperative. And with the advent of the rainy season yet again, it's great to refresh ourselves with the proper way of crossing through a flood.

Ford Philippines and its network of dealers are responding to the needs of Ford customers by offering special rates on the repair of Ford vehicles that have been damaged by Typhoon Maring’s floodwaters.

“Together with the support of our entire Ford dealer network, we are extending support to our customers who have been affected by the recent typhoon and flooding,” said Margo Delfinado, director, Ford Philippines Customer Service.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), official distributor of Hyundai cars in the Philippines announces its title sponsorship of the 2013 Hyundai Lateral Drift Pro-Am Championship Series. The 8th season of the series kicks off with Round 1 and 2 on August 31 and September 1 respectively at the Megatent in Libis, Quezon City. It will feature heart-stopping lateral drift action headed by six-time champion Alex Perez.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

SHANDONG, CHINA—Like the Japanese and Korean car makers of today, the Chinese have come a long way—considering they only started a formal car industry in the 1970’s. Foton and its Philippine distributor, United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI) is certainly leading the way with a remarkable 30-percent growth year-on-year led by its light-duty trucks (LDT) which the company claims is the country’s second best-selling brand last year.

The Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA) will celebrate the commencement of its 9th batch of scholars this Saturday, 31 August 2013. Sixteen students were carefully selected by Porsche officials and have undergone complete training to prepare them for their roles as certified Porsche Mechatronics to be deployed in various Porsche Centers worldwide. These scholars will be added to the 127 PTRCA graduates who are currently employed in Porsche Centers located in the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Establish in April 2008, the PTRCA is the first Porsche technical training facility outside of Germany made possible through the partnership of Porsche, PGA Cars and Don Bosco Technical Institute. The program aims to provide technical training complete with Porsche training vehicles and special tools, English language training, financial support and employment to underprivileged but deserving Filipino youths.

For more information please contact Porsche Center Philippines at +63-2-7270381 to 85 or visit its showroom located at 201 EDSA Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

Ford Philippines today announced the launch of a new service promotion, extending its popular ‘Get More for Less’ promotion to Ford’s service offerings.

Dubbed as Get More for Less on Ford Service, Ford vehicles with expired warranties can avail of a free Genuine Ford Oil Filter and a 10 percent discount on Ford Genuine Parts for any general repair at any authorized Ford dealership. This is part of Ford's ongoing commitment to ensure the highest performance of all Ford vehicles, old or new.

“While offering best-in class Ford vehicles across the country, we always aim to go further and offer our customers – old and new – a world-class customer service experience through our expanding network of authorized dealerships and attractive promotions,” says Margo Delfinado, Director, Ford Customer Service Division.

To qualify, customers must avail of either a Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) or a General Repair worth PhP 5,000 and above.

The Get More for Less on Ford Service is offered to all out-of-warranty Ford vehicles sold by any authorized Ford dealership nationwide.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) contributed a total of One Million Pesos for the recent monsoon-related rehabilitation projects in Laguna – a donation of 500 Thousand Pesos was given to the City Government of Santa Rosa and the same amount for the Provincial Government of Laguna.  The donation was made through TMP’s social and humanitarian arm Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF).  In photo are (from left): TMPF president David Go, TMP president Michinobu Sugata, and Santa Rosa City mayor Arlene Arcillas.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) recently announced to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that it will conduct a safety inspection campaign on Montero Sport and Strada, both two and four wheel drive models.  The purpose of this safety inspection is to check the following:

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Blame EDSA traffic, but driving a sports car isn’t a fun aspect anymore. The thought of having to squeeze a low-slung car in-between two buses is enough to send chills down your spine. And then, you have to consider the limited visibility, the discomfort of the firm ride, and the claustrophobic feel of the tight interior. Thankfully, not all sports cars are built and engineered the same way; there’s one that’s specifically designed to be driven every day, one that doesn’t compromise on practicality or comfort but feels like a shot of adrenaline every time you get behind the driver’s seat. This is the Subaru BRZ—the perfect antidote to the humdrum of everyday driving.