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May 16, 2020

5 Things to Check Before Your First Drive in Months

With coronavirus restrictions easing around the Philippines, you may find yourself behind the wheel once more—for essential outings, of course. But after an extended period of non-use, it pays to take these five things in mind to prevent any possible car-related headache.

With Chevrolet pulling out of the Thai market by the end of the year (including manufacturing), the American carmaker has announced the end of sale of its two SUVs manufactured there: the Captiva and Trailblazer.

Already experiencing slow sales pre-pandemic, the coronavirus may spell the end for MPVs. More and more carmakers are starting to drop family-oriented MPVs in favor of SUVs and crossovers. The latest one to join the trend? Renault.

On Monday, May 18, 2020, the official and exclusive importer and distributor of Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley in the Philippines resumes physical sales and service operations of the four premium automotive brands as COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in some parts of the Philippines are eased.

The refreshed 2020 Nissan Kicks has been globally launched in Thailand. Together with the sharper look, the sub-compact SUV also brings with it a new engine: e-Power, Nissan’s extended range EV drive. With that, it brings all the advantages of fully-electric drive with no range anxiety. It also has a much more affordable price tag than the Nissan Leaf to boot.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), announces the resumption of its dealer sales and after-sales operations starting May 16, 2020. Complete schedule and dealer contact details are available in the image below.

Mercedes-Benz PH to Offer Online Payment Channels, No Contact Home Delivery in New Normal

Mercedes-Benz PH is all set to resume ‘new normal’ operations. The Auto Nation Group, the exclusive distributor Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the country, and the dealer network are working together on their preparation to re-open business. Showrooms and Service Centers in Greenhills EDSA and BGC will resume on May 16, 2020, while Alabang and Cebu will reopen on May 18, 2020.

In line with Geely’s commitment to offer N95-certified cabin air filters on its Azkarra compact SUV, and MY2020 Coolray crossovers as standard, Philippine distributor, Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP) has good news for existing Coolray owners: they’ll also get the same N95-certified cabin air filters for free.

It’s hard to imagine, but the current Honda Civic has been with us for five years now. Launched in 2016 to massive praise and success, it was refreshed just last year. That’s why when news came out that Honda’s launching the all-new 11th generation Civic very soon comes as a shocker.

In times of crisis, auto dealerships should lean on their aftersales service and parts sales to keep them afloat. This lesson has been learned time and time again—during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the Global Financial Crisis in 2007, and now it’s something that can be applied with the softening economy brought on by COVID-19.

Chery Auto Philippines distributor United Asia Auto Group Inc. (UAAGI) announces the launch of its own locally-developed smartphone app.

It’s no secret that in the new normal, people may start to look at private car ownership over taking public transportation. For new car buyers, they must be reminded to look beyond the price tag, and instead focus on value; this is where the Kia Soluto sedan shines.

Lexus Philippines has confirmed that they’ll be bringing in the LC 500 Convertible—the brand’s newest aspirational model that’ll become their new halo model. Representative of Lexus’s evolution to becoming a luxury lifestyle brand, the LC 500 Convertible is, ultimately, an expression of ultimate beauty.

Petron Corporation is saluting all front liners by extending their fuel discounts until the end of May. The largest oil refining and marketing company in the country is offering P 3.00 per liter in discounts on its gasoline products (Blaze 100, XCS, Xtra Advance) and P 2.00 per liter in discounts on diesel products (Turbo Diesel, Diesel Max).

Toyota PH to Offer Free Vehicle Sanitation, Extended Payment Terms, and Payment Holidays

As part of their thrust to deliver ever-better products and services to their customers, Toyota Motor Philippines will now offer new services as part of the “new normal.”

Ford dealerships across the Philippines are gearing up to re-open after May 15. While 15 dealerships have already opened in areas covered by the general community quarantine (GCQ), the rest, including those in Metro Manila will open under the guidelines set by the modified ECQ.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) will resume construction of the Skyway Extension project, halted by two months of community quarantine, on Friday, May 15 following the issuance of guidelines by the government’s Inter Agency Task Force (IATF).

Maserati is decking out a prototype of its upcoming MC20 super sportscar as a tribute to Sir Stirling Moss, the British motor racing icon who died last April 12 at the age of 90.

Kia has given its city car, the Picanto a refresh this 2020, with tweaked styling, an upgraded engine, and more tech than ever before.

With Nissan dealerships across the Philippines gearing up to re-open by May 16 (those in GCQ areas have resumed operations as early as May 6), the carmaker has announced new health and safety guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19.

All British Cars (ABC), the sole authorized dealership of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, parts, and accessories in the Philippines, is preparing to re-open its dealership from May 16, 2020 (Sales) and May 18, 2020 (Service and Parts).

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) salutes the front liners in the fight against COVID-19 by offering them priority status at all transactions and services, hefty discounts on oil change services, and free multi-point inspection.

Auto Dealers, Service Centers to Re-Open Under MECQ

Auto dealerships and service centers are now allowed to re-open under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine or MECQ which will start in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City on Saturday, May 16 and will last until Sunday, May 31.

There may be a silver lining for the auto industry: wary commuters may choose private vehicles over public transportation to avoid exposure to COVID-19. This information is based on information collected by Bloomberg across major cities which have eased lockdowns during the past few weeks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made Toyota Motor Corporation CEO Akio Toyoda to question the carmaker’s Genchi-Genbutsu philosophy. The phrase, translated roughly as, “go and see for yourself” builds on the idea that in order to solve a problem quickly and more efficiently is to go where they exist and analyze the root cause.

Mercedes-Benz will debut a new steering wheel on the 2020 E-Class that will, among other things, force you to hold it properly.

Coinciding with more areas being put in General Community Quarantine (GCQ), auto dealerships are starting to re-open once more. Those looking for a great deal may be in for a treat such as Chery Auto Philippines’s new all-in zero downpayment and free monthly amortization payment schemes.

Kia may have the World Car of the Year winning Telluride to service the U.S. market, but for the rest of the world, the Korean automaker also has a mid-sized SUV that slots above the Sorento in terms of size and positioning: the Mohave.

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May 16, 2020

5 Things to Check Before Your First Drive in Months

Chevrolet Finishes Off Trailblazer, Captiva SUVs

Carmakers are Starting to Phase Out MPVs

PGA Cars to Go Appointment-Basis Only for Both Sales and Service

Nissan PH Could Replace the Aging Juke with the 2020 Kicks e-Power

More Honda Cars PH Dealerships Resume Operations Today

May 15, 2020

Mercedes-Benz PH to Offer Online Payment Channels, No Contact Home Delivery in New Normal

Geely PH to Offer N95-Certified Cabin Air Filters to All Coolray Owners

Honda is Launching the All-New 2021 Civic Soon Says Reports

A Warning to Car Dealers, Brands: Do This or Die

Chery Auto PH Launches Smartphone App

Kia Says Consider Value, Not Just Price in Buying a New Car

Lexus PH to Launch P 11-Million LC 500 Convertible in Q3 2020

Petron Extends Front Liner Fuel Discounts Until End of May

May 14, 2020

Toyota PH to Offer Free Vehicle Sanitation, Extended Payment Terms, and Payment Holidays

Ford PH Gears Up to Re-Open Dealerships After May 15

San Miguel to Resume Work on Skyway Extension on May 15

Maserati Pays Tribute to Racing Icon Stirling Moss

Kia Gives Picanto Sharper Styling, New Engine for 2020

Nissan PH Dealerships to be Disinfected Thrice Daily, to Provide Customers with Free Masks Upon Entry

Sole Jaguar Land Rover Dealership in PH to Re-Open on May 16

Mitsubishi PH Offers Priority Lane, Discounts to Front Liners

May 13, 2020

Auto Dealers, Service Centers to Re-Open Under MECQ

Commuters Choose Private Cars Over Public Transportation to Avoid Coronavirus Exposure

Toyota CEO Starts to Question Company's Core Philosophy

Mercedes-Benz's New Steering Wheel Can Punish You If You Don't Hold It Right

You Can Now Drive Home a Chery Without Paying Anything

Should Kia PH Bring in the Land Cruiser Prado Rivaling 2021 Mohave?