Porsche just showed the potential of Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates with its first software update for its all-electric Taycan.

Porsche won’t be using Volkswagen platforms for its future vehicles starting with the all-new Macan due in the second half of 2021. Instead, the German luxury carmaker will use the Premium Platform Electric or PPE which it co-developed with sister brand, Audi, since 2018.

Anyone who’s moved house (or done a renovation) would know how Ford feels right here. When the carmaker decided to clean up its Ford product development center (it’s being razed to make way for a Ford ‘campus of the future’), they’ve managed to find rolls and rolls of leather—about USD 100,000 (about P 4.8 million) lying around. So, what did they do? Why, hold a garage sale, of course.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP) continues its expansion in Mindanao as it opens Geely Davao. Since last year, SGAP has already inaugurated four dealerships in the country’s South: Geely Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro General Santos, and Davao.

MG just pulled the wraps off its next-generation battery electric vehicle—the 2022 Marvel R Electric. Dubbed as a “high-tech, luxurious lifestyle SUV” it’s destined to push the SAIC Motor brand’s presence in Europe, fighting the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y.

When you trust someone, you usually have a strong belief on the other’s reliability, a deep confidence in one’s capability to deliver on his promises, and a reliance on his strength and ability to get the job done.

Honda Philippines continues its product onslaught this 2021 by bringing in new generation design and performance to the off-roading riding genre with the all-new CRF300L and CRF300 Rally.

Make it your business to drive your business forward with style, space, and power—at the price you want!

Last year, Foton Motor Philippines launched the TM300—a small light-duty truck powered by a class-exclusive diesel engine under its Gratour sub-brand. This year, one of the country’s best-selling automotive brands has decided to bring it into their main line, re-branding it as the Foton Harabas TM300.

Volvo Cars will soon be licensing its infotainment system platform to other members of the Geely Group and even other carmakers. This as they’ve setup a new joint venture with technology company ECARX.

Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota have entered into a partnership surrounding the development of future commercial vehicles.

Its arrival may have been a tad delayed, but Ford Philippines is now pre-selling its mid-sized North American SUV, the all-new 2021 Explorer. It’ll be made available in two variants and initially three colors only.

Fresh from its launch in late January and basking in its sold-out success in February, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro sustains its momentum as new shipments arrive to replenish stocks and meet the strong demand for the stylish new crossover.

Installing a turn table inside a car seems like an impractical thing to do; after all, vinyl records will skip at the slight bump. Well, leave it to the guys at Lexus to prove them wrong with this customized Lexus IS which sports, you guessed it, a turntable in the glove box.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is set to fulfill its commitment to the public of providing a long-term solution to years of worsening traffic on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) approaching Alabang, Muntinlupa—brought about by rapid growth in Southern Luzon.

Lexus Philippines is updating its flagship sedan, the LS for 2021 with added safety and convenience features, and a new variant that starts at below P 6 million.

The first quarter may have been quiet for all-wheel drive specialist Subaru, but they’re making up for it big time. After the official Philippine launch of the first-ever Evoltis in April, it’ll be followed a month after by the all-new 2021 Outback.

Changan Motor Philippines, Inc. (CMPI), the exclusive distributor of Changan vehicles in the country is banking on the global success of the CS75 Plus and CS35 Plus to carry them forward in 2021. This, as Changan ended 2020 as the best-selling domestic brand in China.

Despite having brands such as Volvo, Polestar, and Lynk & Co under its belt, Geely thinks it’s still not enough. The Chinese car manufacturer just announced the formation of a new company, Zeekr. It’ll be their premium all-electric vehicle brand that will set the stage to challenge the likes of Tesla.

In order to facilitate necessary upgrades and continuous improvements to the LRT-1 system, private operator and maintenance provider Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is announcing a temporary suspension of LRT-1 operations from March 31 (Holy Wednesday) to April 4, 2021 (Easter Sunday) for its annual maintenance. 

Nissan’s drive towards carbon neutrality is continuing at a brisk pace when production of its 100 percent electric Leaf overtook the cumulative production of the Bluebird.

Sony’s driverless car just completed its first test by successfully ferrying passengers in Guam, while it was driven by remote over 2,500 kilometers away in Tokyo using a 5G network.

Despite the challenges that faced the automotive industry in 2020, Toyota Motor Philippines managed to retain its Triple Crown by being the best-selling brand in Passenger Cars (PC), Commercial Vehicles (CV), and overall sales. This marks the 19th consecutive year they have managed the feat.

BMW’s first-ever i4 gran coupe is just their first step towards an ambitious new electric-focused future. In four years’ time, the German automaker will be unveiling a brand-new platform with a very familiar name: the Neue Klasse.

The mood of the automotive industry remained sour as new car sales failed to recover despite a strong showing towards the end of 2020. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) recorded a 12 percent slump in car sales compared to a year ago, echoing the 31 percent decline posted by the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) during the same period.

Volkswagen will not be developing any new internal combustion engines globally. This, as the carmaker shifts its focus to battery-powered cars.

If you want a different sort of taxi experience, had to Cebu; there, you can experience what it’s like to travel in a Hiace (or Innova) taxi.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) recorded a 3 percent increase in sales or 5,401 units sold in February versus the 5,262 units sold in January 2021. Despite the good news, year-to-date AVID sales slumped by 10.3 percent with 10,663 units versus the 11,890 units reported in the same period last year before the pandemic struck.

Passenger Cars (PC) sales show a 12 percent increase with 1,518 units sold in February versus the 1,350 units sold in January. Year-to-date, sales dropped by 19 percent from 3,540 units sold in 2020 to 2,868 units in 2021.

Suzuki emerges as the top performer with 1,334 units followed by Hyundai with 1,095 units sold since the start of the year.

In the Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) segment, AVID recorded a 9 percent dip from 8,264 units sold in February 2020 to 7,522 units sold in 2021. In February alone, sales slightly dipped by 2 percent with 3,728 units sold versus the 3,794 units sold in January.

Ford continues to lead this segment with 3,228 units sold. Suzuki holds second place with 1,735 units, closely followed by Hyundai with 1,322 units sold.

Meanwhile, in the Commercial Vehicles (CV) segment, Hyundai reported a whopping 217 percent growth, year-to-date, with 273 units sold in 2021 versus the 86 units sold in 2020. In February alone, sales rose by 31 percent with 155 units sold versus the 118 units sold the previous month.

“AVID ended 2020 on a high note. And while we acknowledge that recovery will not come quickly, we remain focused on taking ‘baby steps’ at all fronts of our respective businesses and count on Government to heed our call for a more comprehensive, long-term approach to reopening the economy by creating more job opportunities, upgrading infrastructure and logistics, and improving the ease and cost of doing business,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.