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August 13, 2014

Hyundai Philippine Sales Up 6 Percent in July

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, registered a promising 6% year-on-year growth in July to a total of 1,952 units.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, formalized its agreement to source its engine oil requirements from Total Philippines. Under the terms of the agreement, Total Lubricants will be one of Kia Philippines’ recommended partners for the sale of lubricants across all Kia’s local after sales service networks.

Chevrolet Adds LT Variant to Malibu Line; Yours for P 1,398,888

After launching its executive sedan offering, the Malibu almost a year ago, Chevrolet, through its Philippine distributor The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) is expanding the line-up with the addition of the LT variant available starting today. Priced at P 1,398,888 (the LTZ is P 1,528,888), the Malibu LT is a more value-oriented variant for people who want the comfort and space of a mid-sized executive sedan without the extra frills.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s so easy to dismiss the buyers of entry-level cars as those who don’t care about design, engineering, and technology. In fact, the colloquial saying of: “basta tumatakbo, okay na” (as long as it’s running, it’s okay) stems from that mentality. Thankfully, the proliferation of smart phones and tablets has had a positive effect on the consumer mindset. Today, even the most cutting-edge technology has filtered down. Now, everyone’s got Facebook and gestures such as ‘swiping’ and ‘pinching’ are more associated with screen actions rather than something a bit kinky. As more and more buyers become technophiles, their taste in cars evolve as well. What were seen as ‘must haves’ are now ‘standard’ and what were seen as something straight out of science fiction are now reality. This is the ultra-competitive environment that car manufacturers find themselves in and one that the all-new Honda City thrives in.

Ferrari Philippine Distributor Launches 458 Spider

Autostrada Motore, Inc., distributor of Ferrari cars in the Philippines, has officially presented to the local market the Ferrari 458 Spider.

The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8. It is the brand’s first mid-rear engine convertible which has won the International Engine of the Year award for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement.

Mazda Philippines registered its best three consecutive sales months on record for May, June and July 2014. Year to date July total sales of 1,787 vehicles represents a 50% improvement over the same period last year, and more than double the total sales the year before. The record 3 months was set at the back of sales of the all new Mazda3 Skyactiv, Mazda2 and CX-5 Skyactiv Crossover.

Ford Philippines today announced its best-ever performance for the month of July with total retail sales jumping 35 percent year-over-year to 1,723 units. The record July was led by an all-time record month for Ranger in the Philippines, as well as continued strong demand for the EcoSport, Explorer and Everest nameplates.

Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the authorized distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, along with its dealer in Alabang, Whitehorn Motors Inc., invites customers to visit Alabang Town Center and test drive the Subaru XV and the Subaru Forester on the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Course during the Subaru All-Wheel Drive Experience from August 15-17, 2014 on the 2nd Floor of the Alabang Town Center Multi-Level Parking located at the corner of Commerce Avenue and Madrigal Avenue.

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.

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