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February 11, 2015

Foton Philippines is Distributor of the Year

After seven years of operations in the country, Foton Philippines has finally bagged the distributor of the year award at the recently concluded Foton Motor Distributors Business Conference. Exclusively distributed in the country by United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI) beat out other distributors for the top prize and was cited for their best practices when it comes to dealer development, sales, marketing, and aftersales service.

When is the All-New Mitsubishi Montero Sport Coming?

We all know the all-new 2015 Mitsubishi Strada is coming really, really, really soon. And because of an embargo, we can’t really spill the beans yet (you’ll have to wait a few days for our full story). However, at the sidelines of the technical presentation, the first inevitable question asked was when we can expect the all-new Montero Sport. It’s quite logical given the Strada and the Montero Sport share the same basic platform and drivetrain.

Contrary to what other rumor-mongering newspapers and online outfits would want you to believe, the business empire of Mr. Wellington “Willie” Soong has been great. In fact, it’s growing. Case in point: they’re adding yet another luxury brand to their stable. Philippines, welcome Aston Martin.

In the Aston Martin World Dealers Conference held in London, UK, Andy Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., congratulates a visibly happy Mr. Soong. Mr. Soong has been appointed as the exclusive importer and distributor of the British sportscar marque. Aston Martin will be distributed through a new company, DBPhil Motorsports, Inc.

February 10, 2015

Review: 2015 Subaru WRX STI

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Tuners love tinkering with cars. No matter how it appears or performs, they always find something to adjust, re-tune, or re-work. One perennial crowd favorite has always been the Subaru WRX STI. Leaving the Gunma, Japan assembly plant already packing horsepower figures north of 300, tuners have found ways to extract a whole lot more performance the moment they get their hands on one of these famed ‘rally cars for the road’.

Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati announced a 252 percent increase in 2014 sales in the South-East Asia and Pacific region (SEAP) compared to the same period in the previous year. The growth was driven by the launch of the new Ghibli, Maserati’s first four-door sports executive sedan, and the brand’s flagship model, the Quattroporte. The Ghibli accounted for just over 60 percent of retail sales in the region.

Tripda, the global carpooling social network that made its Philippine debut in October 2014, has announced an $11 million Series A funding round by Rocket Internet and other investors, including top tier US venture capital funds.

Audi Bags Multiple Awards in December 2014

Audi is on the winning streak as the German premium car brand won several awards by the end of 2014 for technology, performance, design and safety.

Ford Philippines today showed that its momentum in 2014 continued into the new year by reporting its best-ever January performance with retail sales jumping 52 percent year-over-year to 1,637 units.

Tiu Posts Back-to-Back Victories at the NDRC Southern Series

Jonathan Tiu bagged another overall victory at the 2015 National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC), which had its first Southern Series at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last January 31.

The JCT-Blanche driver didn't have the most ideal start to the race weekend. Not only had he recently recovered from a minor illness, but also had to deal with drivetrain issues in his “Tiunami 1” Nissan GT-R on race day. Lacking four-wheel drive, the team had to reduce the engine’s enormous power output and allow different traction control strategies in order for the car to compete in the day’s races.

Ferrari opens up a new chapter in its history by unveiling the 488 GTB—the newest car in the Prancing Horse’s stable to pack a turbocharged engine under its shapely body. The successor to the widely successful 458 Italia, the 488 GTB is Ferrari’s newest mid-rear-engined V8 sportscar that’s been designed not just for track use, but for everyday driving as well. Utilizing all of Ferrari’s engineering know-how from Formula One, World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and even the XX program, the 488 GTB has been tweaked to deliver incredible performance.

CAGI Publishes Fuel Economy Benchmarking Test

The Car Awards Group, Inc. or CAGI, known for its annual Car of the Year – Philippines and Truck of the Year – Philippines awards has come up with what they hope as a standardized way of measuring fuel economy of vehicles in the Philippines. According to CAGI, simply relying on data provided by overseas entities such as the US’s EPA, Europe’s NEDC, or Japan’s JC08 standards cannot accurately capture pertinent data for two reasons: first, because the models sold in the Philippines may vary from what’s sold in the US, Japan, and Europe; second, because it doesn’t capture driving habits here in the Philippines.

Hyundai Partners with Shell for Lubricants Globally

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s largest automaker, has established a new five-year global business cooperation agreement with Royal Dutch Shell plc, the international energy and petrochemicals business. The agreement, signed on this week means that Shell retains its status as an officially recommended lubricants supplier for Hyundai vehicle worldwide.

Minutes before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIX on NBC, Chevrolet shocked 100 million viewers into thinking that their TVs had failed – only to command their attention seconds later to the Chevrolet Colorado, the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year®.

“Let the truck war begin,” stated a visually gleaming Antonio ‘Toti’ Zara, Nissan Philippines’s President and Managing Director. He has every reason to be ecstatic. Just a few seconds before marching up the stage, he literally pulled it, band and all, using the all-new Nissan NP300 Navara. The rock concert theatrics isn’t new (Ford pulled the same feat with the Ranger back in 2002), but Mr. Zara’s warning shot against the competition is well-founded: Nissan is bring its big guns to the fight.

Subaru Announces P68,000 Low Down Offer on XV and Forester

Motor Image Pilipinas Inc., the official distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, along with Subaru showrooms nationwide join in celebrating with the Chinese community the upcoming Chinese New Year by offering enticing offers on the Subaru XV and Forester from today until February 28, 2015.

PGA Cars will hold the first ever super car motor show this weekend, February 7 to 8, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila. Dubbed as “The World of Super Cars”, PGA Cars will display the best cars from its luxury stable Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley.

Volkswagen Philippines formally turned over last January 29, 2015 to the Philippines’ Apostolic Nuncio, a Touran multipurpose vehicle (MPV), the same unit Pope Francis used during His Holiness’ visit from January 15 to 19, 2015.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s been a very long time since the executive sedan market saw an American entry. And yet, in recent years, the competition has been getting fiercer with a slew of great models coming from stalwarts and new comers alike. Heck, there are those who’re supposed to be dead in the water, but are now coming back to life. In other words, the Americans aren’t fashionably late to the executive sedan party anymore; they’re ‘the party already ended’ late.

BYD to Open in Batangas City; Expansion Plans in Place for 2015

SOLAR Transport and Automotive Resources Corp. (STAR Corp.), authorized distributor of BYD Auto China Ltd. Co., and Areza Motor Sales (AMS) signed a memorandum of understanding recently at the BYD Shaw showroom which will pave the way for the opening of a BYD dealership in Batangas. This development will make the BYD brand well represented in the southwestern Luzon area as BYD Batangas provides support for sales, after-sales and spare parts and accessories to the growing number of BYD customers.

Yamaha Tricity Leans into the Future

Yamaha Motor Philippines launched a unique new lifestyle vehicle dubbed the Tricity recently. With two front wheels and one rear wheel, the Tricity certainly looks like a tricycle. However, because of its unique Leaning Multi Wheel (LMW), it leans into corners while taking into account changes in different road surfaces to keep both front wheels with contact on the ground.

After hosting a successful first round of the Northern Series two weeks ago, the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) moves to the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) today for the start of the Southern Series.

8 Reasons Why Toyota Motor Philippines is the Country's Undisputed Leader

At the recent Toyota Media Thanksgiving Party (which also served as the launch venue of the all-new Alphard and refreshed Prius C), Toyota Motor Philippines President Mr. Michinobu Sugata outlined the company’s banner 2014. In his speech, Mr. Sugata proudly outlined his company’s accomplishments including:

The country’s best-selling luxury van is getting its most daring makeover yet. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the all-new 2015 Alphard. Introduced in its home country of Japan not more than a week ago, the all-new Alphard features a much sharper and aggressive styling to go with a new platform that promises an improved ride and NVH isolation.

Toyota Motor Philippines is giving its subcompact hybrid, the Prius C a minor makeover for 2015 to keep it fresh. It gets both cosmetic and safety-related change which make Toyota’s entry-level hybrid much more value-oriented.

Ford Motor Company honored six of its dealers at the 15th annual Salute to Dealers awards at the 2015 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in San Francisco.

Kia is now offering huge savings on their Sorento mid-sized crossover from now until February 12, 2015. With Kia’s Fast Break Deals, the Sorento LX A/T 4x2 and 5-seater CRDi and LX A/T 4x4 5-seater CRDi are available with a P 80,000-discount. On top of that, Kia will even throw in an additional P 20,000 if you trade in your old car (on top of the appraised value).

Tripda Seeks to Modernize Carpooling

Tripda is modernizing the carpooling experience by allowing drivers and passengers to connect with each other via the web or via its own dedicated app (iOS, Google Play). Originally from Brazil, Tripda is now available in 13 countries including the Philippines. Established in October of last year, Tripda Philippines is the latest venture of PLDT-backed Rocket Internet whose portfolio includes carmudi, lamudi, foodpanda, pricepanda, and Clickbus.

BPI Family Auto Loan pioneers another extraordinary offer in the car and car financing industry with the first-ever Bagong Kotse, 1-Month Libre promo! With this new campaign clients will enjoy big savings with the free 1 month loan amortization they get when they avail of a BPI Family Auto Loan.

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