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January 18, 2018

Ford Commits to a Future of EVs, More SUVs, and Less Cars

Ford presented its plans to streamline operations globally and introduce a slew of new models including 40 electrified vehicles (16 fully electric ones) by 2022. The announcement was made at the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit.

After a banner year for the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) in 2017 where it successfully hosted the very first ASEAN EV Summit, 2018 looks very bright for the domestic EV industry.

With Motor Image Pilipinas’s announcement of an impending price increase due to TRAIN and the end of the high-performance XT model, now would be a good time to snag a brand-new Subaru Forester.

Mazda is the most fuel-efficient brand according to the US-based Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. The annual list, released by the US government agency, sees Asian brands dominating the Top 5 places.

North America Votes and This is Their Car and SUV of the Year

Chosen by a panel of more than 60 jurors from the print, online, and broadcast media across the United States and Canada, the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) was recently announced at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Motor Show).

The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB just threw the rule book at the Transport Network Companies (Uber and Grab to you and me). In a recent press conference, the government agency responsible for land-based public conveyance is reminding both Uber and Grab that they have to phase out non-compliant TNVses in 90 days. With the Memorandum Circular published last December 2, 2017, that sets a March 2, 2018 deadline.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB greeted 2018 with a shocker to Transport Network Companies or TNCs: hatchbacks with a displacement below 1,200-ccs or 1.2-liters (round-ups are okay, according to this report) aren’t allowed anymore as Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) vehicles. Given the LTFRB’s rather unpopular reputation of late, social media lashed out immediately on LTFRB board member and de facto punching bag Atty. Aileen Lizada on the government’s archaic or in their LTO own words, primordial standards. But is there a reason for all this uproar or is the LTFRB simply following the law?

2019 Hyundai Veloster is Looking Like a Proper Hot Hatch (w/ 25 Photos)

Rumors of the Hyundai Veloster’s demise is greatly exaggerated since the Korean carmaker chose the typically SUV-centric US market to unveil the all-new, second-generation Veloster. Designed collaboratively between Hyundai’s design center in South Korea and the US, the Veloster retains its unique two-plus-one asymmetric body style along with a slew of drivetrain and chassis improvements to up its sportiness.

With the new vehicle excise tax in place, pickup trucks may well be the new “people’s car.” It’s the latest in a series of transformations that’s seen it morph from no-nonsense workhorses to lifestyle playthings. And amidst the usual choices filled with Hilux, Rangers, and D-Max, there’s one that’s worthy of a closer look: the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado.

The Volvo XC60 has been crowned the best-performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.

Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, recently conducted the 4th Maztech Philippines Customer Service Skills Competition last December. The annual skills competition is designed to promote camaraderie and showcase the talents, knowledge, and attitude of various aftersales personnel in the Mazda Philippines dealership network towards the Mazda Quality Service process.

Mitsubishi Philippines Increases Prices Including Strada Pickup Truck Due to Excise Tax

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is the latest carmaker to announce its new suggested retail price or SRP taking into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

Volkswagen has just unveiled the 7th generation Jetta, a full-on redesign of their compact car that promises dynamic proportions, optimal space utilization, and new range of assistance systems. Produced at the German automaker’s Mexico plant, it will be put on sale there by the first quarter of 2018 with the US market to follow by around midyear.

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, and Grab, the leading on-demand transportation and mobile payments platform in Southeast Asia, announced a strategic partnership that will expand Hyundai’s innovative future mobility services in Southeast Asia.

How do you reinvent an icon? That’s the conundrum faced by Mercedes-Benz designers and engineers as they set their sights on the G-Class’s first ground-up redesign. The German carmaker’s longest serving model, the G-Class has been renowned for its uncompromising on- and off-road performance and impeccably solid build quality; traits which have been certainly carried over to the 2019 model.

2018 Ford Ranger: This is It (w/ 13 Photos)

After years of absence in the biggest pickup truck market in the world, Ford is finally bringing the Ranger back to the US. Still based off the current T6 global platform, the 2018 Ranger (2019 in North America) undergoes yet another refresh and packs more driver-assist technologies including the world’s first off-road cruise control.

Mazda Philippines Sets All-Time Sales Record in 2017

Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc. (BAP), the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, reported record sales numbers for the month of December and the full year of 2017.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and Shaw Automotive Resources, Inc. (SARI) President Felix Limcaoco III, along with other top executives, led the groundbreaking ceremony of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Batangas City located along Diversion Road in Balagtas, Batangas City.

SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines (SBMP), the exclusive distributors of SsangYong vehicles and parts in the country, reported a robust 140 percent increase in its sales numbers compared to the brand’s output during its first year of operations in 2016.

Subaru Absorbs Some New Vehicle Excise Tax in Revealed Post-TRAIN Prices

Coming from a strong 2017, where Philippine sales reached 116 percent of target, Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru eyes strong growth amidst the new vehicle excise tax this year. Speaking to members of the Philippine media at the regional launch of EyeSight and the 2018 Subaru XV and Outback in Singapore, Mr. Glenn Tan, Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), the parent company of Motor Image remains confident that Motor Image’s Philippine sales will continue to grow.

Toyota GAZOO Racing unveils what’s essentially a World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the road at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018: meet the Toyota GAZOO GR Super Sports Concept. It sets the direction of what sort of cars to expect from Toyota and GAZOO Racing.

Subaru wasted no time giving the world a sneak peek of how the future STI could look like. After showing the VIZIV Performance Concept (a potentially future WRX) at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017, STI immediately got to work and in just 4 months shows the VIZIV Performance STI Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018.

Subaru Launches EyeSight-Equipped 2018 Outback and XV

Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across 9 countries in Asia launched the EyeSight driver assist technology on two vehicles: the 2018 Outback and the 2018 Subaru XV. Unveiled at the 2018 Singapore Motor Show, both of these models are slated to arrive in the Philippines by Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) in April.

The Volkswagen Amarok has won the ‘International Pick-up Award 2018’ (IPUA 2018). Like its predecessor in 2010, the new Amarok, now with high-torque V6 engines, has also succeeded in winning over the jury of transport journalists.

Motor Image Pilipinas is rolling out Subaru’s advanced driver assistive technologies dubbed EyeSight for our market real soon. So naturally, it begs to question three things: how does it perform? Can it take on aftermarket stuff like tints? And finally, can it be retrofitted on non-EyeSight equipped vehicle? Well, we’ll answer them one by one here (if you need an in-depth primer on what Subaru EyeSight is, click here).

Foton Philippines Retains Prices for January 2018

Foton Philippines is the fourth local manufacturer to reveal their vehicle prices effective January 2018. And taking the lead from Hyundai, they have decided to freeze their prices more or less despite Republic Act 10963 or the TRAIN Law taking effect last New Year’s Day.

DAF’s New CF and XF have been voted International Truck of the Year 2018 by an independent jury of leading road-transport journalists from 23 European countries. This honor was awarded to DAF Trucks by Gianenrico Griffini, chairman of the jury at the 2017 Solutrans International Transport Show in Lyon, France.

Wheel Gallery, the Philippine distributor of Black Rhino, TSW, and Concept One has added a new brand into their portfolio: Breyton Wheels. Designed to fit BMW, MINI, and Porsche models, Wheel Gallery will bring in a variety of styles and fitments that suits everything from a BMW 1 Series to M high-performance vehicles.

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January 18, 2018

Ford Commits to a Future of EVs, More SUVs, and Less Cars

Could We Finally See More Hybrids and EV in 2018? Yes Says EVAP

Get the 2018 Subaru Forester at 2017 Prices Until End of January

Mazda Leads Other Automakers in Fuel Effciency

January 17, 2018

North America Votes and This is Their Car and SUV of the Year

Which Cars Pass the LTFRB's "Strict" Standards for Taxis and TNVSes?

Did the LTFRB Ban Hatchback Vehicles for TNVSes Overnight?

January 16, 2018

2019 Hyundai Veloster is Looking Like a Proper Hot Hatch (w/ 25 Photos)

Review: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado 4x4 LTZ

Volvo XC60 is Europe's Safest Car for 2017

Mazda Philippines's Annual Service Skills Competition Aims to Lift Dealer Experience

January 15, 2018

Mitsubishi Philippines Increases Prices Including Strada Pickup Truck Due to Excise Tax

2019 Volkswagen Jetta is More Dynamic, More Connected (w/ 5 Photos)

Hyundai and Grab Enter Strategic Partnership

Mercedes-Benz Unveils All-New 2019 G-Class at Detroit (w/ 19 Photos)

January 14, 2018

2018 Ford Ranger: This is It (w/ 13 Photos)

January 13, 2018

Mazda Philippines Sets All-Time Sales Record in 2017

Hyundai to Open Truck and Bus Dealership in Batangas City

SsangYong Posts 140 Percent Sales Growth in 2017

January 12, 2018

Subaru Absorbs Some New Vehicle Excise Tax in Revealed Post-TRAIN Prices

Meet Toyota GAZOO Racing's 1,000-horsepower Super Sports Car Concept (w/ 11 Photos)

Subaru STI Wastes No Time in Tuning the VIZIV Performance Concept (w/ 15 Photos)

January 11, 2018

Subaru Launches EyeSight-Equipped 2018 Outback and XV

Volkswagen Amarok Wins International Pickup of the Year 2018

Common Questions on Subaru EyeSight Answered

January 10, 2018

Foton Philippines Retains Prices for January 2018

DAF Trucks' CF and XF Line are Voted International Truck of the Year 2018

Breyton Wheels is Now in the Philippines