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April 13, 2014

Mazda Makati Temporarily Closes

Effective April 1, 2014, Mazda Makati dealership closes its operation temporarily while a new facility is being planned and developed. The new facility, currently under study and development, will meet the new requirement of Mazda’s new standard in providing superior sales and service customer experience.

In continuous effort to provide utmost customer service, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) together with its dealership network nationwide will set-up its annual Honda Emergency Assistance Team (HEAT) to provide on-site road assistance, service and support in different travel destinations nationwide from April 16 to 20, 2014 (except April 18, Good Friday).

The NLEX, CAVITEX and SCTEX have drawn up contingency measures to cope with the expected surge of vehicles during the Holy Week.

The move has become a traditional exercise for the three expressways to ease traffic flow and make it more convenient for motorists as they turn up in droves for the traditional observance of the Holy Week in the provinces.

The application of Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of KIA vehicles in the country, to join the PBA pro basketball league, has been approved by the PBA Board of Governors.

Ms. Ginia R. Domingo, president of CAC, said in a press statement "We are elated to receive word of the acceptance of our application to join the PBA and thank the board of governors for their vote of confidence."

Domingo added that the basketball community can look forward to more exciting times ahead with Kia's entry into the PBA. "KIA's joining the PBA bodes well for the game given the renewed interest and popularity in the league.”

"KIA's joining the PBA is yet another testament to the success of KIA 's global strategy of engaging our customers through sports marketing. With our entry into the PBA, expect us to live up to KIA's marketing axiom as the brand with the Power to Surprise", Domingo quipped.

April 11, 2014

MIAS 2014: Facts and Figures

Barely a week has passed since The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2014 opened its doors to a record crowd last week, Worldbex Services International (WSI), the organizer of MIAS has released several interesting key facts and figures about the 10th year of MIAS:

Ford Soars to Best-Ever Philippine March Sales and Strong First Quarter Performance

Ford Philippines rounded up the first quarter of the year with record breaking performance for the month of March, with retail sales soaring 34 percent year-over-year to 1,339 units. Sales in March helped the first quarter increase 38 percent from the same quarter last year to 3,692 units.

Toyota Motor Philippines Initiates Special Service Campaign

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) will issue a Special Service Campaign for the spiral cable of the Innova, Fortuner, and Hilux sold locally from November 2004 to June 2010.

Due to the shape and location of the spiral cable retainers, this may cause some connectivity loss related to the air bag system. In such case, the driver side air bag may not deploy in the event of a crash. There are, however, no incidents reported related to this condition.

The number one automotive company in the country sets a new sales record surpassing 8,000 units in a single month last March. Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) sales grew across the board tallying 8,840 units, the highest any manufacturer in the country has ever registered.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE 1: Full review of Subaru WRX CVT and WRX MT.

UPDATE 2: Full review of Subaru WRX STI Premium.

It’s not every day you get excited about a car even before it was officially launched. In my case, the anticipation for the all-new 2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI was so high, I was literally begging on my knees to be one of the first to get my hands behind one. Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, literally whetted my appetite to the point where I was salivating like a rabid dog thanks to all the carefully planned teasers including bringing over the WRX Concept to Manila. Everything turned full circle as they held the regional launch of the WRX and WRX STI in Manila—the first time the country played host to our 9 Asian neighbors for quite some time. (For the complete specs, click here).

UPDATE 3: Here is our First Drive story of the all-new Subaru WRX and WRX STI (4/9/2014).

UPDATE: We have now included the complete specs below (4/9/2014).

UPDATE: We have confirmed the prices for the all-new WRX and WRX STI. Details below (4/3/2014).

We’ve carefully followed the steady progress of the 2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI and hope that it will arrive here sooner rather than later. Well, after a tease with the WRX Concept, Motor Image Pilipinas has launched the all-new Subaru WRX and WRX STI at their stand at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).

New Multi-Brand Showroom to House Subaru and Changan Cars in Manila Bay

Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), the parent company of Subaru and Changan distributors in the Philippines, today announced the opening of the first phase of its brand new multi-brand facility in Metro Manila. Located at the automotive area of Manila Bay, the new facility will house major Subaru models, with the Changan brand to be added in the later part of the year.

The latest addition to the Subaru sales network in the Philippines, the Motor Image Manila Bay showroom is located at Lot 39, Block 2, Bradco Avenue, Aseana City, Paranaque. The flagship Subaru showroom in Metro Manila celebrates Subaru’s classic roots and tradition, as well as its dedication to engineering excellence.

Review: 2014 Honda Accord 3.5 S-V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

I always have a soft spot for the Honda Accord; having personally owned one straight out of college. It was my steed during my first job as a marketing professional and my ride to dinner dates with the then girlfriend (now wife). Everything equal, I’d pick the Accord as my executive sedan of choice—it was always that tad more sophisticated, sportier, and stylish. Of course, that was before everyone got into the act. Now there’s literally a sea of choices with everyone now offering their own take on the executive sedan genre. And although this market segment is more niche than mainstream, it’s so competitive that carmakers introduce cutting edge style and technology that’ll one day trickle down to the rest of their line-up. Given the sheer importance of the executive sedan, where does the all-new Honda Accord sit?

Honda Cars Philippines Welcomes New President and General Manager

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit names Toshio Kuwahara as its new President and General Manager effective April 1, 2014. Mr. Kuwahara is filling the post formerly held by Tatsuya Natsume, who has been assigned a new post in Brazil.

Petron Lakbay Alalay, the country’s longest running motorist assistance program, has evolved into a year-round series of activities to help motorists and communities. With the Holy Week and long summer break just weeks away, why don’t you get a jump on your travel plans by getting your car in shape with Petron’s free safety check?

Caltex Gearing Up for Summer Journeys

Summer plus Holy Week means a steady stream of vehicles, packed with vacationers and their gears, will be heading to the beaches and tourists spots. Those with religious vows to keep will be motoring from one church to another in Visita Iglesia. Caltex with Techron, the 5-Star Fuel, is helping make sure, that despite the heat, road repairs and traffic, motorists will be able to enjoy their journey.

Ten years of significant existence is no small feat. This is what the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) is presenting at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), with the display of the Mazda 6 as the Car of the Year-Philippines 2013-2014 (COTY-P) and the Ford Ranger Wildtrak as the Truck of the Year-Philippines 2013-2014 (TOTY-P).

The purveyor of the original Sport Utility Vehicle, Jeep, launched the 2014 Grand Cherokee to a packed crowd at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). The new Grand Cherokee builds on the legendary go-anywhere, do-anything reputation of its illustrious ancestor, the Willy’s Jeep, while delivering best-in-class fuel economy, advanced user-friendly technology, world-class craftsmanship, and on-road refinement.

This summer fueling up has become more filling for over 1 million happyplüs card members who will earn happypoints on their fuel purchases from over 500 Caltex stations nationwide.

The Search Starts and Ends at BPILoans.com

Want to buy a car? A house or a condo? Planning to start a business? Wanting to know if what you have is enough to get all these and more? These are big questions in life that require research. Let’s face it, everything can be found online. The question is who should you trust and who can you go to? The credibility of our sources will determine the effectivity of our search.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) is showing off the second-generation Soul at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) happening this weekend. Though it shares similar lines to its most immediate predecessor, the 2014 Soul is all-new and is inspired by the Track’ster Concept shown in 2012.

Eurobrands Distributor, Inc. (EDI), the official distributor of Peugeot in the Philippines teased their upcoming supermini—the Peugeot 208 GTI by displaying a kitted up version at its pavilion at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). The 208 GTI wears the iconic Peugeot Sport livery, a nod to the French brand’s rally heritage. The Peugeot 208 GTI is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 197 horsepower and 275 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The lightweight and compact 3-door Peugeot 208 GTI is expected to arrive in the Philippine very soon.

MIAS 2014: Chevrolet Shows Off Diesel Superiority

Chevrolet making waves at the Manila International Auto Show where its pavilion centers on the Bowtie brand’s “Turbo-Diesel Powerhouse”—the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Colorado, and Spin.

To show off its iconic style and its partnership with the latest Marvel franchise, Chevrolet is displaying a customized Chevrolet Colorado fitted with loud and proud Captain America decals on display. Visitors of the Manila International Auto Show can also expect to catch a glimpse of the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 or better known as “Bumblebee”, one of the lead characters of the blockbuster movie series: Transformers.

Video: The Ride of Her Life

What’s a better way to sell the Subaru WRX STI? Forget the usual ad campaigns. Subaru of America put on a different spin on things with The Ride of Her Life short film that features the 2015 (2014 for us) Subaru WRX STI. It’s certainly a very campy take with drifts, donuts, and a whole lot of ham. It’s even produced by “DoubleURXXX Productions”. Go figure. Happy weekend everyone!

April 3, 2014

MIAS 2014: The Icon Returns: Volkswagen Beetle Returns to Manila (w/ Complete Specs)

Automobile Central Enterprises, Inc., the official distributor of Volkswagen cars in the Philippines is finally celebrating the return of its most recognizable icon: The Beetle. No less than Fernando Zobel de Ayala and his brother Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala led the festivities at The Mind Museum at the Bonifacio Global City before the public unveil at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show.

Pilipinas Taj Autogroup is offering two light-duty commercial vehicles at the Manila International Auto Show, the Ace and the Super Ace.

Stylish, efficient and reliable, the Xenon is a perfect blend of looks and performance. It lends a commanding presence on the road with its aggressive frontal styling, flared wheel arches, and alloy wheels. Available in both 4x2 and 4x4 drive options, the Xenon will come with two trim options- Premium and Economy.

Taking forward its luxurious lineage, the new Manza INI sets a new benchmark for sedan buyers in the mid-sized car segment with its plush interiors and state-of-the-art technology features. The car's contemporary stance is as easy on the eyes as it is dominant on the roads.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Prepare to meet four new vehicles from the biggest motor company of India, Tata Motors Limited, the leader in commercial vehicles and among the top in passenger vehicles.

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April 13, 2014

Mazda Makati Temporarily Closes

Honda Cars Philippines to Provide Road Assistance to Motorists During Holy Week

NLEX, CAVITEX, SCTEX Brace for Holy Week Exodus

Kia Gets Nod of PBA Board

April 11, 2014

MIAS 2014: Facts and Figures

April 10, 2014

Ford Soars to Best-Ever Philippine March Sales and Strong First Quarter Performance

April 9, 2014

Toyota Motor Philippines Initiates Special Service Campaign

Toyota Motor Philippines Sets New Sales Record in March

First Drive: 2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI

MIAS 2014: Subaru WRX and WRX STI Graces Stand; Gets Pummeled by Russ Swift Shortly After (w/ Complete Specs)

New Multi-Brand Showroom to House Subaru and Changan Cars in Manila Bay

April 8, 2014

Review: 2014 Honda Accord 3.5 S-V

April 6, 2014

Honda Cars Philippines Welcomes New President and General Manager

Petron Offering Free Safety Check via Lakbay Alalay Campaign

Caltex Gearing Up for Summer Journeys

MIAS 2014: Car of the Year, Truck of the Year on Display

MIAS 2014: Jeep Grand Cherokee Levels Up (w/ Complete Specs)

Happyplüs Members Earn More Points with Caltex Gas Ups

April 5, 2014

The Search Starts and Ends at BPILoans.com

MIAS 2014: Kia Shows Off Some Soul, Yours Starting at P 970,000

MIAS 2014: Peugeot Philippines Teases 208 GTI

MIAS 2014: Chevrolet Shows Off Diesel Superiority

April 4, 2014

Video: The Ride of Her Life

April 3, 2014

MIAS 2014: The Icon Returns: Volkswagen Beetle Returns to Manila (w/ Complete Specs)

MIAS 2014: Tata Ace and Super Ace (w/ Complete Specs)

MIAS 2014: Tata Xenon (w/ Complete Specs)

MIAS 2014: Tata Manza INI (w/ Complete Specs)

MIAS 2014: Tata Launches in Philippines Under Pilipinas Taj Autogroup