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May 8, 2013

Honda Cars Breaks Ground in Calamba City, Laguna

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has recently added to its list of car dealerships, Honda Cars Calamba, as it broke ground on its future site. Soon to rise along Maharlika Highway, Barangay Milagrosa, Calamba City, residents of the area will enjoy more convenient access to Honda’s world-class products, services and facilities.

With a land area of 3,000sqm, Honda Cars Calamba is strategically placed at a very accessible location for the customers going or coming from the city proper and nearby towns and cities. This dealership shall carry the latest Honda product line-up and complete vehicle service facilities such as general repair, preventive maintenance and body-and-paint. Honda Cars Calamba is another fulfillment to HCPI’s promise to bring products and services with utmost quality to its customers.

Groundbreaking ceremony was headed by Mr. Tatsuya Natsume, President and General Manager of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) and Mr. Anthony N. Cheng, President of ANC Group and their executives.

May 7, 2013

Review: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Tune in to MTV and chances are you’ll see a Mercedes-Benz somewhere there. And it’s not on MTV Classics, mind you. No sir! Save for the one or two you’ll see with wire wheels and eight-track decks, most are the modern variety used to dress (pimp) up rap videos. It’s one slick marketing move—transforming Mercedes’s image from your daddy’s car to Puff Daddy’s (excuse me, P. Diddy’s) car overnight. It’s not anymore the car for the rich and geriatric. It’s hip and it’s cool. It’s the new yuppie mobile!

Ford Motor Company Appoints Kay Hart as Managing Director of Ford Philippines

Ford Motor Company has announced the appointment of Kay Hart as managing director, Ford Philippines, effective June 1. She will report directly to Matt Bradley, president, Ford ASEAN. Hart is currently serving as Dealer Development and Field Operations Director, Ford Asia Pacific, based in Shanghai, China.

Hart will replace Randy Krieger, who has been appointed director, Marketing and Sales, Ford ASEAN. Krieger will be based in Bangkok and will continue to report to Bradley.

Suzuki Philippines Launches All-New Alto 800 and Swift DZire

Filipino motorists will continue to experience environment-friendly driving and best-in-class mileage as Suzuki Philippines Inc., the only integrated automobile and motorcycle company in the country, recently launches the all new Alto 800 and the Swift Dzire.

With the competitive price points of these latest offerings, Suzuki eyes to take a bigger chunk of the market in the subcompact car segment.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) breaks ground in Greenhills, San Juan, signifying the start of construction of the newest addition to the growing number of Honda Car dealerships, and following its commitment to bring quality products and services closer to its customers.

On May 4 to 5, the streets of Manila will bear witness to some never-before-seen motor action.

Filipino-Swiss racer Marlon Stockinger will sit behind the wheel of the famed Lotus Formula 1 car and give Filipino fans a much-anticipated demo at the first ever Manila Speedshow. The event opens on May 4 at the Quirino Grandstand, the starting line for the F1 car demo, and will conclude on May 5 at the Mall of Asia Atrium with an adrenaline-pumped exhibition.

Review: 2013 Honda Pilot

Photos by Ulysses Ang

So you’ve become a pretty successful guy. You’ve blown out a half-a-million peso hole in your wallet for a new IWC pilot’s watch after the renovations were done on your Forbes Park mansion. What’s next? Well, if you’ve got some P 2.6-million in loose change stashed somewhere, why don’t you reward yourself with a fancy new crossover. Mind you, it can’t simply be any ordinary crossover; it has to be adventurous, versatile, and different as you are. In other words, you’ve got to think outside the box, you’ve got to think Honda Pilot.

The All-New Volvo V40, a modern expressive car, with characteristics from larger Volvos wrapped in a sleek, compact package, is now in the Philippines. This 5-door, 5-seater luxury hatchback combines trendsetting design with class-leading driving dynamics.

“The All-New Volvo V40 is a bold expression of challenging the conventional. With great focus on the luxury look and feel of the car, the All-New Volvo V40 offers you a more engaging and personalized driving experience. With keen attention to detail, the All-New Volvo V40 also reflects Volvo’s promise of a car that is designed around you.” enthuses Miss Loi Concepcion De Guzman, Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Toyota Road Trek 9 Takes on Clark and Palawan

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The soft orange hue of the mid-summer sunrise greeted me as I drove into Toyota Global City—the flagship dealer that carries the new bolder and younger brand identity standard. As a Road Trek novice, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this ninth outing (the previous ones had everything from mental to driving to even physical challenges) except save for two clues: the outline of a track curb on the invitation as well as the words, “Clark and Palawan: Reloaded”. Perhaps it could mean an Amazing Race-style winner-takes-all challenge or perhaps it could mean a date with the Clark International Speedway? Whatever it may be, I stepped down from my car, took a deep breath, and waited for the briefing to begin.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines announces today that the all-new CR-Z, a sport hybrid coupé will be available for retail by August this year.

During the 4th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) in World Trade Center Metro Manila last year, the Honda CR-Z MUGEN concept was displayed and left viewers wanting more. According to Tatsuya Natsume, President and General Manager of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., the Honda CR-Z was the real crowd drawer of the Honda booth during PIMS. “At the time of the show we received a number of inquiries about selling it in the Philippines. Even after that, we are still getting inquiries online, at our dealer showrooms and various display events. This scenario gives us the confidence that the Philippine market will warmly welcome the all-new CR-Z when it arrives in August, exactly a year after its concept was shown”, Natsume said.

Tennis megastar Maria Sharapova has taken on a new role: Effective immediately, the 26-year-old world class player will be representing the sports car manufacturer, Porsche AG, as brand ambassador. The cooperation is initially signed for three years and involves a global communications campaign. The athlete is already very familiar with the vehicles from Zuffenhausen: As last year´s winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Sharapova not only took home prize money, but also a white 911 Carrera S Cabriolet.

Conquering the Final Frontier: Kia True North Takes on Batanes

Photos by Ulysses Ang

They say it can’t be done: a ride and drive event in the Philippines’s northern most point: Batanes. It certainly sounds like a challenge, a challenge that Columbian Autocar Corporation, the country’s exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles, happily accepted. Consider this: the weather in Batanes is unpredictable at best, being the only place in the country to experience four seasons. Then, Batanes is the entry or exit points of typhoons, so careful planning is needed to ensure everyone’s safety. Finally, the logistics of mounting such an event is daunting: it required 10 Kia vehicles from a Picanto to an Optima Hybrid to be shipped as cargo (there’s no Ro-Ro or Roll On, Roll Off in Batanes) from Sual, Pangasinan for 32 hours before unloading them one by one by crane with nothing more than a thick piece of foam separating the delicate metal body from the rusty steel chains.

Visit the Kia Carens Microsite and Hatch an Egg-citing Adventure

Are you thrilled to see the newest member of the Kia family? Kia is hatching something big soon! Be part of this egg-citing adventure through Kia's new microsite, www.HatchMyCarens.com!

With Kia's microsite, do your part to help hatch the egg, and get a chance to win amazing prizes! Up for grabs are an excitement filled day at Enchanted Kingdom, or a wave of fun with lovable creatures of the sea at the Manila Ocean Park.

Review: 2013 Hyundai Accent CRD A/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang

“Surprise and delight the customer” may be a common marketing goal these days, but it’s still unusual to find a car that genuinely fits the bill. After all, a Genesis Coupe is expected to be fast and a Starex to have enough room for two basketball teams. But during the course of testing dozens of new cars each year, there’s one vehicle that clearly stands out and it takes the swoopy, fluidic shape of the new Hyundai Accent CRD hatchback.

Motor Image Pilipinas Inc., (MIPI) the exclusive distributor of Subaru cars in the Philippines registered a record-breaking growth of 94% in total sales for the 1st quarter of 2013. Selling of 577 units compare with 297 units for the same period of last year. Subaru sales in March reached an all-time high with 236 units, breaking the previous record of 188 units established a year ago. The sales were propelled by the growth of major models like the well-accepted Subaru XV in the popular small SUV segment. And also the sales rose with high demand for the Forester models driven by the just-launched all-new Forester.

MIPI remains positive that for the succeeding months of the year, the high growth performance will be sustained.

“2013 is an exciting year for Subaru in terms of both sales and network expansion. I am very optimistic that we will grow further our business because we have an exciting product line to offer our customers and we will have 11 dealerships in the Philippines by the end of this year,” said MIPI General Manager Michael Ramon Luyun.

BMW Introduces FlexiLease

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, introduces FlexiLease, its latest option for aspiring BMW owners to experience sheer driving pleasure at the most convenient way possible. FlexiLease is a new innovation in BMW ownership that addresses the mobility requirements of top professionals.

Win Free Fuel for a Year with Petron Value Card

For any motorist, the chance to get free gas is a dream come true.

That’s why Petron is raffling off free fuel for one year for five lucky Petron Value Card (PVC) owners.

The first step is to is to register using by sending a text message (SMS), in the format PVC REG <16-digit PVC number>/<first name middle initial surname>/<birthday: month day year>/ <complete address>/<email address-optional> (example: PVC REG 4488223315241628/Juan D. Cruz /08281988/53 Lawaan St. Pasig/jdcruz@yahoo.com).

In celebration of its 50th birthday and against the backdrop of the Shanghai Auto Show, Automobili Lamborghini presented a very special super sports car with exclusive equipment and technology. The Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario is a limited and numbered series of 100 units worldwide. Each unit has a Forged Composite® badge with the 50° logo and a serial number.
With its output increased to 720 hp, its new performance-oriented front and rear design, the special paintwork and unique interior trim, this Aventador is one of the most exclusive models ever produced in the history of Lamborghini.

The Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario represents a new highlight of this globally successful model range with carbon-fiber monocoque, twelve-cylinder engine and permanent all-wheel drive. With its output of 720 hp, the 6.5-liter twelve-cylinder in the Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario is 20 hp more powerful than the current V12 in the Aventador LP 700-4. This is due to a new specific engine calibration. With its extremely fast-shifting ISR transmission, the anniversary model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 350 km/h.

At the Auto Shanghai 2013, Bentley introduces the new Flying Spur to Greater China, alongside the Continental GT Speed, Bentley’s fastest production model ever and its pinnacle flagship model, the ultra-high luxury Mulsanne. Bentley also announces its plans to grow the dealer network in Greater China, reinforcing China as a key market for Bentley’s continued success as the company heads for double digit growth again in 2013.

Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, comments: “China is a key market for Bentley and we are enjoying great sales success and growing customer interest. To continue to achieve these results, we have a significant expansion plan in place. This starts with the new Flying Spur, previously our best-selling model and we expect 60 per cent of the new Flying Spur sales to be delivered to customers in China.

Porsche is celebrating the world premiere of the second generation Gran Turismo at the Auto Shanghai show in China. The centerpiece of Porsche’s show appearance is the new Panamera S E-Hybrid, the world’s first plug-in hybrid in the luxury class. Also making their debut together with this new role model of intelligent interconnection of efficiency, sportiness and comfort are two luxurious Executive versions for the Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo which sport an extended wheelbase and a three-litre V6 engine with bi-turbocharging that is a completely new development. With the launch of the new generation, the Panamera range is now increasing to ten individual models that offer an extended range between sportiness and comfort.

Honda Aims to Redefine Sub-Compact Segment with 2013 City

Using kaizen or the Japanese term for “continuous improvement”, Honda Cars Philippines is aiming to redefine the sub-compact segment with the introduction of the 2013 City. Now available at all Honda dealerships nationwide, the new City carries new aesthetic and safety improvements as well as the introduction of a brand-new variant, the 1.5 ENC.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) closed the first quarter of the year recording an impressive double digit growth of 21.7%. Sales for the first three months totaled to 10,016 units compared to 8,230 units sold during the same period last year. March sales modestly increased by 1.6% with 3,612 units sold. Combined reports from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturer of the Philippines (CAMPI) and Trucks Manufacturer Association (TMA) also showed a surge in MMPC’s market share. For the first quarter MMPC was able to capture a 24% market share making it the second bestselling automotive brand in the country.

After Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. announced a mammoth recall of its CR-V and Civic models, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) is announcing that it is also recalling around 3,500 units of its Corolla Altis models for the same faulty airbag problem that has plagued Japanese makes globally.

In a short statement, TMPC said that no reports of injuries caused by the defective airbag has been reported. Nonetheless, Toyota is Corolla Altis models produced between May 2001 to March 2003. TMPC will advise its dealers as to when it will coordinate with affected customers and owners.

Audi Philippines Achieves 28 Percent Sales Growth in 2013

Audi in the Philippines has surpassed initial targets this year achieving a 28% year on year growth from 2012. The growth is mainly driven by new entry-level models introduced by the brand at the beginning of the year.

“The debut of our new Audi Q3 SUV and A1 5-door Sportback ushers a new phase for Audi in the country, because for the first time we have a model below PHP 2,000,000” said Lito Jose, Sales director for Audi Philippines.

Review: 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 V6

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly, the Land Cruiser Prado has a special place in my heart. There’s something about its rugged styling coupled with its first-class interior and its storied nameplate. Without batting an eyelid, it’s always my first choice to spend my lotto winnings on. The P 2,900,000 price tag is certainly a big splurge by anyone’s book, but given how much chunk of metal you’re getting for the buck, it’s reasonably priced; plus it’s backed up by Toyota’s legendary levels of reliability and durability. However, given the chance to live with a Land Cruiser Prado in the garage for a week, will its luxurious promise hold or will this simply be the case where imagination ended up better than reality?

Hyundai Awards Change-Up, DrivE-on Grand Prize Winner

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) awarded a Hyundai Eon to a lucky client of Hyundai General Santos dealership, bringing the Change-up, DrivE-on promo to a successful close. The promo, which ran from November 5, 2012 to February 5, 2013, gave Hyundai customers a chance to bring home a brand new Eon or one of five Apple iPad 3 units for every oil change using Hyundai’s HGMO (Hyundai Genuine Motor Oil) Fully Synthetic. The final draw was held at the HARI headquarters last March 14, 2013.

The HGMO Fully Synthetic Motor Oil, supplied by Pro-Oil Corporation, promises superior engine performance, enhanced additive formulation, improved fuel efficiency, less oil evaporation and emission, and advanced protection to prolong engine life.

Present in the awarding were (L-R) HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo; Grand Prize Winner Ariel Lagamon; Pro-Oil Corporation Chairman Martin Dy Buncio; HARI Senior Assistant Vice President, Quality Assurance & Process Enhancement Division Engr. Alfredo S. Jose; Hyundai General Santos Dealer Principal Russel Gregorio; and Pro-Oil Corporation President Erwin Tan.

Porsche Boxster and Cayman Named World Performance Car of the Year

At a ceremony hosted by Bridgestone Corporation at the New York Auto Show last month, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman were named the 2013 World Performance Car. The Cayman celebrated its world premiere only last November at the International Motor Show in Los Angeles, while the Boxster has been on the market now for a year.

The World Car Awards (WCA) are presented annually in four categories - Car Design, Green Car, Performance Car and Car of the Year. Winners are determined by an international panel of 66 automotive journalists from 23 countries. Jurors are appointed by the World Car Steering Committee based on automotive expertise, experience, credibility and influence.

Hyundai Posts 4% Year-on-Year Growth in March

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, posted a 4% year-on-year (YoY) growth in March 2013 compared to the same period last year.

Bouncing back from a supply-hampered February, Hyundai cars on both passenger and commercial vehicle fronts posted favourable numbers, with passenger cars (PC) registering a 2% growth to finish at 1,343 units vs. 1,316 in March 2012. The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, meanwhile, also posted strong digits with 984 Hyundai LCVs rolling off showroom floors from 929 units in March 2012.

Month-on-month figures showed even more vigour, registering a 43% increase in March over February 2013. Leading the charge were Hyundai’s passenger car (PC) models which posted an impressive 63% growth over February 2013. Not to be outdone, LCV models bannered an equally remarkable 22% growth in the same period.

Leading the pack was an eclectic mix of vehicles ranging from the Eon sub-compact, the popular Elantra compact sedan, as well as Hyundai’s newest offerings, the Santa Fe SUV and Genesis Coupe sports car.

Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience 2013: The Video

CATS Motors, Inc., the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in the Philippines recently held the 2013 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience. This half-day track event is designed not just to bring the different Mercedes-Benz passenger cars through its paces (including the SLS AMG) but also to teach invaluable lessons to the driver, especially when it came to emergency maneuvers.

Vent It Out Friday: Speed Perception

Measuring a car’s speed by the kilometers it covers in an hour is as obsolete as the eight-track tape. Drivers need a speed measurement that reflects our go-anywhere-fast lifestyle, and kilometers per hour just doesn’t cut it anymore. We must replace kilometers per hour with meters per second—before it’s too late.

The next time you’re driving your Honda Civic or Lamborghini Gallardo or whatever it is you’re driving, look at the speedometer. What do the numbers read? 20 kilometers per hour? 60 kilometers per hour? 100 kilometers per hour? Whether you’re stuck on EDSA (which is pretty much every single minute these days) or flying like a low-altitude jetfighter on the NLEX, what do those numbers actually mean?

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