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May 28, 2014

2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Season Kicks Off this Weekend at the Mega Tent

Ready and set to start fast, sliding, and smoking sideways action at 2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship Series, this Saturday, May 31 at the C5 Mega Tent Quezon City (right before Eastwood heading North bound). This year will be the 9th Season of the Lateral Drift Championship and promises to be more exciting. Event will be open to the public at no admission fees and practice will start 10am for Amateur drifters and Pro qualifying will start by 3pm onwards. It will be a night drift finals so that the competitors and spectators will see and enjoy all the action away from the heat of the sun.

L-R: Mr. Romy Tan, YMPH Sales General Manager; Mr. Kaoru Ogura, YMPH Sales & Marketing Director; Mr. Toru Osugi, YMPH President; Mr. Rodrigo Roque, UAAP Board Member; Ms. Karen Coloma, Head, Licensing Division, ABS-CBN Corporation and Mr. Ryan Jude Camus, YMPH Marketing Section Manager

The pioneer in the motorcycle industry, Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc., carries on to create innovative products that uplift the standards of service in the country. Yamaha continues to provide unique experience to everyone by providing pioneering products that has always been focused on the underlying philosophy of Yamaha, which is to provide the exceptional value and satisfaction of the customers.

L-R: Rodini Rivera, Race Operations Manager Batangas Racing Circuit, Inc.; Nelson Gayola, Managing Head for Corporate Communications Department Batangas Racing Circuit, Inc.; Yuki Iwasa Vice President Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines, Inc.; and Andrew Bernardo, General Manager Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines, Inc.

The Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championship is finally ready to kick off the 2014 season this coming June 1 at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC).

With the summer heat pushing the mercury past 40 degrees Celsius, one of the easiest ways to get cool quickly is to hop into the all-new Ford EcoSport. The air-conditioning system in the urban SUV is so effective that within 10 minutes of starting the engine, you’d be so comfortable that you’d have forgotten how hot it is outside.

Review: 2014 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 GLS 2WD

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Generally, mid-cycle refreshes are called “facelifts” for good reason: because aside from a nose job and an accompanying price hike, you don’t get much else; manufacturers simply leave the good stuff for the all-new model arriving down the road. Every once in a while though, a car manufacturer breaks this mold and adds a bit more spice into the mix. One such case is the 2014 Hyundai Tucson, but it’s something you don’t obviously see; as it looks like the same one that debuted in 2009. However, drive one and you’ll experience the difference.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles,announced that the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has awarded the best possible ranking of 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) to the all-new 2015 WRX and WRX STI currently sold in the North American region. As for the other Subaru models, 2014 Legacy, 2014 Outback, 2014 Impreza, 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek and 2014/2015 Forester have already earned a 2014 TSP rating.

Unknown to most people, the Nissan Skyline isn’t just the GT-R. It’s actually a family of vehicles including lesser tuned two- and four-door models. Of course, with the R35, Nissan spun the GT-R into a separate line, but it doesn’t mean that the Skyline isn’t getting any turbo love. Nissan Motor Company has finally announced the availability of a new high-power, fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the Skyline 200GT-t.

Nissan to Enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 with GT-R LM Nismo

Nissan will unleash the GT-R and go head-to-head with Audi, Porsche and Toyota at Le Mans in 2015. The Japanese manufacturer will also contest the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship with a full factory effort of two LM P1 cars. Nissan’s LM P1 car will be called the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, carrying on a sporting bloodline that stretches back 30 years and recognizes the company’s flagship road car, the Nissan GT-R.

The Covenant Car Company Inc (TCCCI) truly knows how much their Filipino customers value vacations and out of town road trips with friends and family; hence, to provide new Chevy-buyers a worry-free experience in terms of going the distance, Chevrolet Philippines is offering the first 10,000 kilometer Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and one (1) year Motorcar Insurance for FREE when you buy your Chevrolet through a PBCOM Autoloan program from May 10 to July 31, 2014! Worry less about your car maintenance expenses and just enjoy your perfect summer getaway!

Two highly fitting locations have been selected for the UK and European debuts of the latest Bespoke Collection from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection will be previewed at an exclusive event on the site of the original Bluebird Motor Company – now the Bluebird Restaurant – on the King’s Road, London on Tuesday 13 May 2014.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The hash tag, “#boompanes” has been going around social media of late, a play on the expression, “boom panis”, which is the Filipino equivalent of “in your face.” Toyota Motor Philippines executed the motorsports equivalent of that expression (vroompanes) and showed everyone else who’s boss with the successful holding of the first two races of the 2014 Toyota Vios Cup at the Clark International Speedway last Saturday. Toyota rocked the motorsport scene to the core as 30 Vios racing cars lined up on the grid making it the largest grid in Philippine motorsports history. Jason Choachuy (# 37) of Toyota Balintawak ended up taking victory in Race 1 and Allan Uy (#66) of Toyota Quezon Avenue in Race 2 to score strategic points advantage in the eight-race series (4 legs).

Suzuki Philippines Announces Prices, Variants of Ertiga and Swift 1.2

Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPH), the only integrated motorcycle and automobile company in the country, releases the official pricing for the two latest compact car models – the Suzuki Ertiga and the Suzuki Swift 1.2.

Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen, hosts the Southeast Asia Pacific (SEAP) Conference. For the first time ever, the aftersales conference to be attended by 80 delegates from all over the Southeast Asian region, will be held locally to welcome the Philippine importer ACEI into the Volkswagen family.

Real for Real and Join the Pros at Sepang with Michelin's The Right 2 Race Online Game

Experience a real and unique motorsport event at the legendary Sepang International F1 Circuit in Malaysia with Michelin’s The Right 2 Race online game promo.

A Decade of Friendship: Toyota Road Trek 10

Photos by Ulysses Ang

There’s this saying that goes, “What happens in Toyota Road Trek, stays in Toyota Road Trek.” To the uninitiated, the annual Toyota Road Trek reads like the motoring beat’s equivalent of spring break, and to a certain degree it does; but besides the being handcuffed to the stage, getting piss-drunk at two in the afternoon, and hanging on for dear life on a mountain cliff, it’s more all about camaraderie, friendship, and the drive. Of course, all done in the Toyota Motor Philippines way.

These are the Highlights of the Upcoming 2014 Bangkok International Auto Salon

The 3rd Bangkok International Auto Salon 2014 (BIAS) has grown into the largest and most exciting custom car and accessories show in the ASEAN region, and this year the event plays host to several new product launches, including the public debut of the all-new Honda Jazz subcompact hatchback.

As the only and biggest Filipino refiner, Petron has a deep understanding of the unique driving conditions on Philippine roads, and its R&D team takes pride in formulating products that will deliver optimum efficiency for Filipino motorists.

Review: 2014 Toyota Wigo 1.0G M/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Owning a brand-new car should be stress-free. No anxiety attacks when thinking about payments. No worries about reliability. No agonizing over fuel and maintenance costs. Toyota’s latest addition to their line-up, the Wigo, is promising just that: it’s all about easy-to-own, easy-to-drive, and easy-to-enjoy. But can it live up to the promise? I spent an entire week with the Wigo 1.0G M/T—the full-loaded model that doesn’t break the psychological P 500,000-mark (P 499,000 to be exact). Just how well does it perform? Read on.

5th Philippine International Motor Show is Slated September 18-21 at World Trade Center

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) announces the much-awaited 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), a four-day event from September 18-21 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The Philippines’s best-selling pick-up, the Ford Ranger, gets new additions to its growing family to bring the total to 13 variants. The new additions expand the range-topping Wildtrak trim by adding two 2.2-liter 4x2 models and the 3.2-liter 4x4 equipped with a manual transmission. The prices for the new Wildtrak models are as follows:

Mazda in the Philippines extends its reach to the south with the opening of AUTOHUB Group’s all-new Mazda Davao, their latest full-service Mazda dealership facility in the country.

It’s the thrill, the rush of adrenaline, and the heart-pounding sensation that make motorsports one of the most exciting ventures to date. Let the number one automotive company in the country take you on this exhilarating ride of authentic motorsports through the Toyota Vios Cup. Experience a full-on waku-doki festival with activities not just for racing fans but for guests who look for real fun and excitement! Just a short ride from Manila, come to the Clark International Speedway on May 24, 2014 (Saturday) and witness what Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) means by WAKU-DOKI.

With the reignited consumer appetite for cars, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) saw its sales climbed to 16% for the month of April to a total of 2,657 units from year-ago levels of 2,293 units. Year-to-date, the group sales racked up to a total of 11,712 units, reflecting a robust 14% growth in sales from comparable period last year.

Kia Motors Corporation announced last week its global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for April 2014, recording a total of 251,120 units sold. This figure represents a 4.9% year-on-year increase.

So how do you celebrate the 25th birthday of the world’s best-selling sports car? Well, you send it racing, of course. Mazda has just announced that it will partner with the UK’s JOTA Sport to enter a Mazda MX-5 in the 24 Hours Nurburgring Endurance Race in Germany this year (June 21-22).

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) recently recognized Honda Cars Greenhills (HCGH) and Honda Cars Marcos (HCMH) as “Certified Good Green Dealer” in a ceremony held on May 6, 2014 at their respective dealerships.

Be it with family or friends, summer is the perfect time to take a break from the daily grind and hit the road for an exciting getaway. Driving through scenic routes to the beach or up for some fresh mountain air is now made more exciting as Pilipinas Shell brings road trips to life with Shell V-Power Nitro+ fuels, designed to improve performance and act instantly in engines.

Subaru Kansha Festival 2014 Slated May 19-25 at All Dealerships

Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. (MIPI), the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country, along with its authorized dealers will hold it’s much awaited annual Kansha Festival from May 19-25, 2014. Also known as Subaru customer appreciation week, the Kansha festival is originally a celebration adapted from the Japanese “Kinro Kansha no Hi” or Labor Thanksgiving Day.

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May 28, 2014

2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Season Kicks Off this Weekend at the Mega Tent

Yamaha and UAAP Create a Greater Partnership

Philippine GT Championship to Kick Off 2014 Season on June 1

Ford EcoSport's Climate Control System is Designed to Keep You Cool

May 27, 2014

Review: 2014 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 GLS 2WD

Subaru WRX and WRX STI Earn "IIHS Top Safety Pick" Nod

Nissan Skyline Gets a Smaller, Turbocharged Engine

May 26, 2014

Nissan to Enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 with GT-R LM Nismo

Chevrolet Launches Free Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) Promo

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection Debuts in UK, Europe

#Vroompanes: Round 1 of the 2014 Toyota Vios Cup

May 23, 2014

Suzuki Philippines Announces Prices, Variants of Ertiga and Swift 1.2

Volkswagen Holds Southeast Asia Pacific (SEAP) Conference in Philippines

Real for Real and Join the Pros at Sepang with Michelin's The Right 2 Race Online Game

May 22, 2014

A Decade of Friendship: Toyota Road Trek 10

May 21, 2014

These are the Highlights of the Upcoming 2014 Bangkok International Auto Salon

Petron Engine Oils Designed for Local Needs

May 20, 2014

Review: 2014 Toyota Wigo 1.0G M/T

May 19, 2014

5th Philippine International Motor Show is Slated September 18-21 at World Trade Center

Ford Welcomes New Ranger Models by Adding 3 New Wildtrak Models

Mazda Expands to Davao City

Experience the Rush at the Toyota Vios Cup

AVID Rallies in April with 16 Percent Growth

Kia Posts 4.9 Percent Global Sales Growth in April

Mazda MX-5 Celebrates 25 Years by Racing in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring

Honda Recognizes Newly Established Dealers as "Good Green Dealers"

Fuel an Exciting Drive with Shell V-Power Nitro+

May 18, 2014

Subaru Kansha Festival 2014 Slated May 19-25 at All Dealerships