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August 11, 2014

5th Philippine International Motor Show Promises to be Fun for Whole Family

More than being a haven for car lovers and motoring enthusiasts, the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) boasts of various activities to keep the family, especially the little ones, entertained with one-a-kind motoring experience.

Round 2 of the 2014 Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championship once again brought 17 racing machines out on the asphalt of the Batangas Racing Circuit last the June 27. The grid was made up of 3 cars competing in GT 300, 3 in GT 200, 8 in GT 150, and 3 more in the GT 100 class.

Hyundai Gears Up for Green Dealerships

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) is aggressively expanding its nationwide dealership network as it inaugurates today (August 8, 2014) its newest branch in Davao City with four others scheduled to launch before year end.

Bridgestone Ecommunity Slated this Weekend

Showcasing its commitment to the environment, Bridgestone is holding ‘ECOMMUNITY’, an exhibit open to the public this weekend, August 9 to 10, at the Glorietta Activity Center in Ayala Center, Makati. ECOMMUNITY is proof of Bridgestone’s continuous commitment in working towards a sustainable society together with its customers, partners, and communities.

Ford Motor Company today announced Ford Ranger sales in Asia Pacific rose 16 percent in the first half of 2014 to over 40,600 units.

The Asia Pacific markets (e.g:Australia, New Zealand the ASEAN markets) have been among Ford’s biggest selling markets for the popular Ranger one-ton pick-up truck since 2010.

The number one car company in the country, Toyota, has once again made history in the automotive industry by recording 10,123 units in a single month last July. Coming from a 9,000 performance just last May, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) proves once again that it can go even further by breaching the 10,000 sales mark last month. This is the first time any local car manufacturer experienced such performance in terms of vehicle sales.

Review: 2014 Toyota Yaris 1.3 E

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Toyota Yaris always has a special place in my heart. I’ve had the privilege of owning the Echo—the pre-Yaris nameplate—way back in 2001 before replacing it with a Yaris in 2007. It was, for me, the perfect city car: zippy, roomy for its size, extremely fuel efficient and downright painless to own. Despite the market getting crowded with more and more sub-compact hatchbacks (it is the fastest growing passenger car segment in the country, after all), I always end up in the cuddly embrace of the Yaris’s cutesy styling. Thus, consider me surprised when Toyota pulled the wraps off the 2014 Yaris—a car that cannot be described as cute anymore. Will its new angry look put off a long-time Yaris loyalist?

BYD Marks Philippine Racing Debut as F0 Places Second

The BYD F0 marked its racing debut with a second place finish at the Circuit Showdown First Philippine Micro Series held last week at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) in Rosario, Batangas.

The Subaru BRZ is the seventh model bestowed with the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)’s Top Safety Pick (TSP). It joins the Impreza, Subaru XV, Legacy, Outback, and the Forester. The Legacy, Outback, and Forester are awarded TSP+ when equipped with the optional Eyesight system.

3 Additional Kia Dealerships Now Adhere to Kia's Global Space Identity Concept

Owing to its commitment to serve and surprise Kia customers, Kia Marcos Highway, Kia Pasay, and Kia Quirino will now bear the universal standard for all Kia dealerships. This upgrade on overall brand image found in facilities is referred to as the Global Space Identity or GSI.

In 2010 Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) formed its own mountain-biking team composed of some of the country’s most accomplished athletes in the booming sporting discipline. The team promptly went on to dominate virtually every cycling competition both locally, as well as a few abroad. Four years later, it has evolved into a well-rounded group as the Isuzu D-Max Multisport Team and, along with TV celebrity/athlete Matteo Guidicelli, continues on its winning ways.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) opened up a dialogue on the opportunities and challenges posed by the ASEAN integration in 2015 in its fourth Thought Leadership Forum (TLF) which was held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) last week.

Wet and Wild: Round 2 of the 2014 Toyota Vios Cup

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Toyota Press

Jason Choachuy (Car No. 37) of Toyota Balintawak dominated Round 2 of the 2014 Toyota Vios Cup at the Clark International Speedway last Saturday, July 26 with a stunning back-to-back win in Race 3 and 4. With changing weather conditions in the days leading up to the race, everyone was expecting a wet weekend for all 28 Toyota Vios Cup Racers. The traffic situation on NLEX brought on by the Inglesia ni Cristo Centennial proved to be of little worry as thousands of speed freaks still filled up the grand stands to watch the action in the One-Make Race.

With dynamic ability, comfort, elegance and a host of innovations designed to further enhance a luxurious driving experience, the new BMW 5 Series once again raises the bar for the premium executive sedan segment. It has sealed its position as the global leader in its class with over one million units sold, earning a unique status in the segment. A new chapter dawns in its impressive success story with precise modifications to the cars’ design, and innovative additions to the range of available equipment. Two (2) models of the New BMW 5 Series, namely the BMW 5 Series Sedan and the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, are now available in the Philippine market.

Chery Cars Philippines has recently introduced its latest automobile offering that should capture the imagination of young, upwardly mobile Filipino professionals: the Chery Fulwin2.

The Subaru Palm Challenge: Philippine Leg is back again to find the 10 contestants to represent the Philippines in the Subaru Palm Challenge - Asian Face-Off. Take part in one of the three legs and get a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Singapore:

Car enthusiasts in Manila can now view the latest Suzuki automobiles as Suzuki Philippines opens its latest showroom in SM City San Lazaro, Manila. The new store, a satellite showroom for Suzuki Auto U.N. Avenue, will feature Suzuki’s latest automobiles such as the Swift 1.2 hatchback and the Ertiga compact family car.

Philippine Car Price Guide: July-August 2014

Considering that the “Ghost Month” has just set in, we figured there wouldn’t be any new car launches until the third of week of August. Therefore, consider this as our “late for July” but “early for August” Philippine Car Price Guide. For this update, we have the following additions/changes:

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Chevrolet Malibu LT (new variant)
Chevrolet Spin (price adjustment)
Honda CR-V Cruiser Edition (new variant)
Honda Jazz
Kia Picanto (price adjustment)
Kia Sorento (price adjustment)
Kia Soul (price adjustment)
Kia Sportage (price adjustment)
MINI Cooper / Cooper S
Mitsubishi Adventure (price adjustment)
Suzuki Ertiga
Suzuki Swift 1.2 (new variant)
Tata Manza Aura (new variant)
Tata Vista Ignis (new variant)

There are also some models that have bitten the dust, but we will just let you find them for yourselves. Happy hunting!

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Subaru WRX STI—it’s one of those cars that need little introduction. However, in case you do need a refresher (shame on you); they represent the pinnacle of Subaru’s technical know-how. Borne out of the World Rally Championship, they’re fitted with a massaged turbocharged Flat-4 engine and all-wheel drive as standard from Day One. They are, in short, the automotive equivalent of Thor: the God of Thunder and Lighting with biceps (or fender flares, if you prefer) to make even the manliest man swoon. However, for all the space it occupied on bedroom walls and laptop wallpapers, it had one big problem: they weren’t for the faint of heart. They were like driving a sledgehammer with four wheels and a windshield. Thankfully though, Subaru and the engineering gurus at Subaru Technica International or STI have rectified that erratic behavior in the all-new model. Not only is this the best handling WRX STI ever. This is the most refined WRX STI ever.

Tailgating with One Tough Truck: The Ford Ranger Tailgate Challenge

Photos Courtesy of Dux Carvajal of Ford Press

Tailgating—it’s the quintessentially American Male thing where groups of bros hang around in parking lots (typically during a big game) with hot food sizzling on a grille and cold drinks chilling in a cooler. Although you can try doing that here in the Philippines, you’ll earn the irk of security guards even before you could unfold your bench out. So what’s the best thing you can do? Go out of town, to the middle of nowhere (preferably where trail meets road), and then whip out the grille. Of course, you need a very capable go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle and a group of the manliest men in the motoring beat to drive out of the comforts of Manila and cook burgers. And so, that’s exactly what happened with the Ford Ranger Tailgate Challenge.

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, continues to dominate the Philippine luxury vehicle segment as it reached first half of 2014 with a total of 352 units sold, accounting for a total of 36% over-all market share. BMW’s core model, The 3 Series, is recorded as ACC’s top performer, closely followed by its most popular SAV, The BMW X3, contributing to a 6% increase in total sales compared to the same period last year. This correlates with BMW’s global performance, which saw a 10.2% YTD growth versus last year.

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines is keen on setting a new benchmark in design and innovation with the launch of the all-new 4 Series Gran Coupe. The first-ever four-door coupe in the premium mid-sized segment, the 4 Series Gran Coupe seamlessly blends the unmistakable look of a sports coupe with the practicality and functionality of a four door sedan.

Car buyers now have more choices with the arrival of the new Tata Manza Aura and Vista Ignis. Launched recently by the Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., the official and exclusive distributor of Tata vehicles in the Philippines at their new Cainta showroom along Ortigas Avenue Extension, the Manza Aura and Vista Ignis are powered by the highly efficient and refined Quadrajet diesel engine which promises high fuel efficiency. At the same time, these models were designed with good passenger comfort and worry-free ownership in mind.

Carmudi, the world’s fastest growing online car classified, is all set to change the experience of shopping for car enthusiasts in the Philippines. The online car classifieds has officially launched its mobile application which will allow users to browse thousands of cars on the go. Hosting over 20,000 vehicles online, Carmudi’s app will give users an excellent experience of buying cars while on the move, thus allowing them the same sense of ease and comfort out and about as they would experience in front of their PCs at home.

Michelin Pilot Sport Experience is On; Winners of Right2Race Announced

Malaysia’s legendary Sepang International F1 Circuit will come alive between July and August 2014, with the roar and excitement as more than 500 Michelin customers, journalists and social media commentators from 16 countries enjoying the rare and unique opportunity to take part in the Michelin Pilot Sport Experience.

Volkswagen Philippines Announces Limited Financing Offer

Now, it is easier to own a Volkswagen.

Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc., (ACEI), the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen cars in the country, is pleased to announce a special offer for the Polo Sedan, Jetta, Touran, Tiguan, Touareg, and the iconic Beetle.

Petron is spicing up the perks of its Value Card holders in conjunction with the start of the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) where Petron Value Card holders, regardless of school affiliation will have the chance to avail of free tickets or even just free parking when you watch the games.

The journey just got way happier for motorists who will fuel up starting July 15 to September 30, 2014 at any Caltex station. Aside from getting maximized power, improved fuel economy, lower emission, smoother drive and reliable performance in every Caltex with Techron fuel purchase, Caltex customers can also enjoy a free Chowking Halo-halo, Chinese-Style Fried chicken, Pork Siomai Chow Fan and more.

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