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June 24, 2014

Review: 2014 Tata Xenon 4x2 DLE M/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang
Dismissing the Tata Xenon based on looks alone is like giving Kate Upton the cold shoulder just because she’s fat. Filipinos are certainly drawn to cars first and foremost for how it looks. We love the angles and the curves. But let me tell you this: pass on the Xenon at your own peril. Beneath the oddball looks sit one of the most class-competitive pick-up drivetrain and chassis you can find. Yes, Philippines—the Xenon’s worth a look if you give it a shot.

June 22, 2014

The New Original: 2014 MINI Launched (w/ Specs)


The Mona Lisa, The Beatles, The MINI—how do you improve on the original? This is a common conundrum facing instantly recognizable, unequivocal classics. In the case of the MINI, a car with a long and storied history, they have taken not just the car’s DNA, but its very spirit and crafted something new and yet familiar at the same time. It begins with a clean sheet design where each and every surface is made sleeker and curvier. And then, it goes to the interior, with a new man-machine interface that puts the driver in unparalleled control. Finally, under the body, a new drivetrain developed from the ground-up to give the most smiles per kilometer. In short, to say that the 2014 MINI is all-new is an understatement; yet a passing glance is enough to say, this is a MINI through and through. Meet the all-new MINI, the new original.

Honda Cars Makati Group Announce Extended Store Hours


Fueled by the drive to continually create customer experiences that truly matter, Ayala-owned Honda Cars Makati, Inc. (HCMI) has come up with several means and ways to attend to the needs and requirements of its customers at their utmost convenience.

Toyota Motor Philippines Now at 43 Dealerships Strong


The number one automotive company in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC), continues to focus its efforts in genuine customer service as seen in its dealer expansion this 2014. Just this month, the company opened two (2) new dealerships in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Taytay, Rizal ready to serve its customers in nearby areas. To date, Toyota’s network of dealerships has already reached 43 and this number is expected to increase further by the end of the year.

June 20, 2014

Kia's Peter Schreyer Receives Lifetime Achievement Award


Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group, has received the prestigious Lifetime Design Achievement Award from EyesOn Design.

June 19, 2014

Michelin and Audi Rekindle Success at 24 Hours of Le Mans


Michelin and their team-up with the Audi Sport Team proved fruitful yet again with a one-two triumph at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. Both the new Audi R18 e-tron Quattro racecars were fitted with a new type of Michelin racing tires.

Suzuki Owners Get Free Help Against the Rains


The rains are here and Suzuki is helping its customers prepare their cars for the floods and traffic. Suzuki Philippines, the only integrated automobile and motorcycle company in the country, is offering Free Check-Up Service Campaign to its loyal customers. On June 20 and 21, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Suzuki customers in Quezon City can avail of the free 23-point car check-up during the Suzuki @ Work service camp at Suzuki Auto Commonwealth.

Video: Chevrolet Cars Star in Transformers: Age of Extinction


Once again, Chevrolet is starring in one of this year’s most awaited and biggest movies: Transformers: Age of Extinction. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this trailer courtesy of the folks from Chevrolet Philippines.

Transformers: Age of Extinction will show in Philippine cinemas on June 25.

Experience the World of Joy: BMW Philippines Sending Some Lucky Owners to BMW World 2014 in Singapore


In celebration of BMW’s continued leadership in the premium automotive segment, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, will be sending lucky BMW buyers to the BMW World 2014, the biggest single-brand motor show, to be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Goodyear Offers Safety Tips for Driving this Rainy Season


Rainy weather and wet roads demand greater care and precaution whilst driving. Just a few meters may make that significant difference you need to avoid an accident.

June 18, 2014

Chery Cars Philippines: Promoting Mobility for All


Chery Cars Philippines aims to empower wage and salary workers so that they can have their own vehicles or start their own businesses through easy loan access.

Honda Cars Philippines Receives 2,500 Reservations on All-New City


Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), reaches 2,500 All New City reservations since the introduction of the model last April 22. Accumulated All New City reservations in just a month signals how HCPI’s primary model has successfully set new standards in the subcompact category.

Triumph at Le Mans: Audi Takes 13th Victory, Beats Porsche and Toyota


In front of nearly 300,000 spectators, Audi continued its unique string of victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In the 82nd running of the world’s most important endurance race, Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) and Lucas di Grassi/Marc Gené/Tom Kristensen (BR/E/DK) made for a one-two Audi victory.

June 17, 2014

Review: 2014 Mazda3 2.0 Skyactiv

Photos by Ulysses Ang
No matter how you look at it, the C-segment is both getting crowded and shrinking at the same time. It’s crowded because there are at least 12 choices out there from Japanese, Korean, American, and German makes; it’s shrinking because the higher price tag of these once so-called “people’s car” has made buyers either move up towards crossovers (seen as better value) or move down towards B-segment cars (seen as more affordable to own and maintain). These facts could be a potential bummer if you consider compact cars to form an integral part of your vehicle line-up. In other words, you end up either shaping up or shipping out. In the case of the all-new Mazda3, it’s been shaped into the sharpest katana out there. Hattori Hanzo better watch out, there’s a new killer sedan on the loose.

June 16, 2014

Philippine Car Price Guide: May-June 2014

Sorry for the delay—admitted it was us slacking off. No actually, it’s been a very busy May for us so we forgot to post the Philippine Car Price Guide. Anyway, we’re making up for it by combining it with the June edition.
Here’s a quick rundown on the newest additions and updates this month:
  • BMW X5
  • Chevrolet Spin (price increase)
  • Ford Everest (price decrese)
  • Ford Ranger (new variants)
  • Honda Civic Modulo and MUGEN
  • Hyundai (various model variant and price adjustments)
  • Mazda2 1.3 Speed
  • Mazda6 Skyactiv (price increase)
  • Mazda CX-5 Pro (price increase)
  • Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1.6 MX (price increase)
  • Nissan (model adjustments)
  • Suzuki Ertiga
  • Suzuki Swift

Special Discounts on Volkswagen Jetta and Tiguan Models to End Soon


Now is the best time to catch the Volkswagen Jetta and Tiguan as the limited introductory offer draws to an end. The two models from Volkswagen’s stable will revert to its original pricing by 30 June 2014, so this is the perfect moment to purchase a Volkswagen with the Jetta being offered at P1,098,000 and the Tiguan at P1,990,000.

AVID Sales Surge 23 Percent in May


The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) racked up sales that totaled 3,217 units in May, reflecting 23% year-on-year growth from the 2,615 units posted in the same month last year.  Enjoying sustained double-digit growth since the start of the year, AVID saw its year-to-date sales up by 16% to a total of 14,929 units.

4 Schools Benefit in Chevron's "Brigada Eskwela"


Termite-infested walls, leaky ceilings, rusted roofs, faulty electrical outlets and dilapidated bathrooms. These were some of the conditions that 132 volunteers consisting of employees and contractors from Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex fuel and lubricants, and Chevron Holdings Inc. (CHI), a pioneer multi-functional shared services center, tackled on a simultaneous Brigada Eskwela effort in Laurel and Bayanan Elementary School in Batangas, San Agustin Elementary School in La Union and Tandayag Elementary School in Negros Oriental.

Portugal Sets Pace at Leg 1 of 2014 Philippine GT Championship


A total of 17 drivers lined-up on the grid at the first leg of the 2014 Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championship. Held last June 1 at the Batangas Racing Circuit, competitors were divided into four classes based on horsepower, with 2 cars racing in GT 300, 4 in GT 200, 9 in GT 150, and 2 in GT 100.

June 13, 2014

Hyundai Sales on a Roll with 23 Percent Growth in May


Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, notched up an exceptional 23% growth in sales for the month of May to 2,094 units versus the 1,708 units posted in the same month last year. Coming from months of steady growth, the upswing in the May sales performance contributed to the 5% year-to-date sales growth of Hyundai to a total of 9,723 units.

Ford and Heinz Collaborate on Sustainable Materials for Vehicles


It might seem that tomatoes and cars have nothing in common. But researchers at Ford Motor Company and H.J. Heinz Company see the possibility of an innovative union.

Researchers at Ford and Heinz are investigating the use of tomato fibers in developing sustainable, composite materials for use in vehicle manufacturing. Specifically, dried tomato skins could become the wiring brackets in a Ford vehicle or the storage bin a Ford customer uses to hold coins and other small objects.

Yamaha Philippines Holds Motor Show


Last June 4-8, 2014, Yamaha held their Yamaha International Motorshow at SM MOA, Atrium Hall. This event shows off the innovative and unique features of its local and global models, as well as its various new products for 2014. Yamaha aims to bring in to every customer the new Yamaha exciting world, which will be showcased in this 5-day event.

June 12, 2014

Go Pro Covered Volkswagen GTI? Pffft! Try a McLaren F1 Covered in Go Pros


Remember that video where Tanner Foust drove the hell out of a 2015 Volkswagen GTI? Well, here is something even more special. Watch a 600-horsepower McLaren F1 GTR, the one they use at the 24-Hours of Le Mans being driven with GoPros attached. Yes, the car is about 20 years old, but the sound is gloriously awesome. BMW V12 FTW!

Subaru and STI Shakedown Nurburging 24-Hour Challenge Car (w/ Specs)


Subaru and its tuning division, Subaru Technica International (STI) has successfully shaken down its 2014 Nurburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race car in the lead up to the race which will be held at the grueling Nurburgring Circuit in Germany from June 19-22. This year marks the seventh consecutive year that Subaru and STI will participate at the event.

The 2015 Nissan NP300 Navara: This is It


Well, the cat’s out of the bag. Officially. Nissan has unveiled its all-new, 12th generation pick-up truck, the Navara (officially known as the NP300 Navara). This new global market model is backed-up by Nissan’s 80-history in the pick-up truck genre and promises to meet the demands of individuals and business owners alike.

The all-new NP300 Navara boasts of better fuel economy, improved performance, a more rigid frame, and more importantly to owners, lower running costs.

June 11, 2014

Toyota is Offering Big Savings on Selected Vehicles until June 30.


As the summer season comes to a close and the rainy days soon to arrive, one needs a reliable and safe vehicle that will take you places without sacrificing your budget. This month, the number one automotive company in the country, extends its various offerings that are bound to excite you! Choose from several financing options that will suit your budget with Toyota’s promotions this June!

2014 Isuzu Truck Fest Manila is On at SMX Until June 14.

Isuzu executives held a ceremonial toast to open the 2014 Isuzu Truck Fest Manila at the SMX
Already having a firm hold on the country’s commercial vehicle segment, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) in its 2014 Truck Fest Manila showcases the diversity of Isuzu’s product range, which ensures the brand’s continued leadership in the local market.

All-New Subaru WRX STI Breaks Isle of Man Record


It seems there is proof in the pudding. Subaru announced that in a final timed run on the Isle of Man TT Course, Mark Higgins driving a 2015 Subaru WRX STI (our 2014) breaks his lap record of the fabled 37-mile course with an average lap speed of 117.510 MPH (189.114 km/h) and a time of 19 minutes and 15 seconds. In Higgins’ record lap earlier this week, several errors caused him to lose time and he was determined to get more out of car. This new lap record breaks the 116.470 MPH average and time of 19:26 set Wednesday. The previous record of 115.36 MPH was set in 2011 in a WRX STI.