November 2019 | CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

November 29, 2019

4 Reasons Why the Volkswagen Lavida is the Smart Choice for Metro Drivers

With German carmaker Volkswagen bringing in the Lavida to our market, driving around the Metro can just be a treat of comfort and luxury. The Lavida has established itself as one of the best-selling cars in the world. In fact, VW says that over 450,000 Lavida units were sold just last year. Its design speaks volumes of Volkswagen as the Lavida hails from a long, multi-awarded line-up. Now that the Lavida is in the Philippines, here are four reasons why you should take the smarter choice, and treat yourself to this best-selling car.

Bad guys in the UK will have no where to go because police forces there will be adding the formidable Ford Ranger Raptor to their fleet of cop cars.

Under the stewardship of United Asia Automotive Group or UAAGI, Foton has grown to become a powerhouse. From its humble beginnings, it’s now risen to become one of the Top 10 best-selling car brands in the Philippines. With that in mind, UAAGI has set its sights on a new venture, Chery Auto. Will lightning strike twice?

The Ford Ranger has emerged victorious against its competition once more as its slew of upgrades, including the new 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo engine and 10-speed automatic helped it scoop up the International Pick-up Truck of the Year (IPUA) for 2020.

Hope You Love Gauges, Because Chevy's Giving You Gauges in the Colorado

Chevrolet is showing off a pair of Colorado Concepts that highlight the unique ways you can personalize it. Showed off at the 2019 Thailand International Motor Expo are the low-stance Chevrolet Colorado RS Street and the high-stance Colorado Panther.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of brand-new trucks, continues its effort to support the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) to bring safer, more efficient, more convenient, and more environmentally sustainable transport system to Filipinos.

The journey to the 2020 World Car of the Year awards has started and the shortlist has just been announced. This year’s list is dominated by Korean and French brands, while the sole Japanese brand on the list? Mazda.

This model is more than two years in the making. After “slipping out” during the press con at the CX-5’s Malaysian plant assembly roll out in 2017, people thought that the three-row Mazda CX-8 was sure to join the line-up in 2018. Then, nothing. Enter the first nine months of 2019, and still nothing. And then, it just happened. It rolled out of the assembly plant in October and now, here it is. Philippines, this is your 2020 Mazda CX-8 (read our first impressions, here).

Mazda is now dead serious in making inroads in the subcompact SUV genre with the arrival of the first-ever CX-30. Meant as an in-between to the CX-3 and the CX-5, the CX-30 is the second seventh-generation model after the all-new 2020 Mazda3. Built to cater to a wide range of buyers, the CX-30 is meant to be a life partner, particularly for those who’re approaching significant life transitions.

There's a Special Edition Subaru Forester For Those Who Spill Too Much Bodily Fluids

Japanese Subaru fans sure are lucky. No, they’re not getting a turbocharged Forester anytime soon, but at least they’ve got this special edition made for people who tend to spill too much bodily fluids. Yup, it’s time to put those black lights away because there’s this special Forester X-Edition.

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner. And Audi Philippines, together with Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center Makati will make the coming season even more delightful as they set out to give the Audi A4 sedan; the Audi Q2, and the Audi Q5 SUV to lucky shoppers.

United Asia Auto Group, Inc. (UAAGI) formally announced the location of its first 12 dealerships for its new brand, Chery Auto which was formally launched today.

If you want to know what the best-selling diesel-powered car brand is in Japan, you’ll be surprised to know that it’s Mazda. And the carmaker has celebrated a very important milestone: it has sold more than 500,000 cars equipped with Skyactiv-D there.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines Corporation (SGAP), the official distributor of the Geely vehicles in the Philippines launches its own mobile service program while it is in the process of finalizing its nationwide dealership network.

Hyundai Motor Company today announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Indonesian government to build its first manufacturing plant in the country.

Ford Philippines is returning into the full-sized van segment with its most spacious, intelligent, capable, and cost-efficient offering yet: the all-new, 15-seater Transit.

United Asia Automotive Group (UAAGI), the newly appointed exclusive distributor of Chery vehicles in the country wasted no time in revealing details about its all SUV line-up. With the official brand launch happening tonight, UAAGI ran a series of full-page ads in leading newspapers outlining their entire line-up and pricing.

The Mitsubishi Xpander is the Best Built Small MPV

The Mitsubishi Xpander is the best built entry-level MPV, and you don’t have to take our word for it; you can take J.D. Power’s. The result came out after J.D. Power released the results of its Initial Quality Study or IQS in Indonesia.

I’m not a part of Volkswagen’s product planning team, but if I were, I’d considering bringing in this: the Viloran MPV. It’s a full-blown luxury MPV built to battle the likes of Toyota Alphard and Kia Grand Carnival. Best of all, seeing it on our roads is really, really possible because it’s actually a joint development with SAIC—you know, the source of our Santana, Lavida, and Lamando cars.

While most people focused on the shiny new hybrid electric vehicles on display at Toyota’s first-ever HEV Drive Expo, and how they can help reduce emissions and dependency on fossil fuels, there’s one thing that escaped most people, including Ms. Earth Philippines who was the guest of honor: what’s going to happen to all these batteries when it’s time to scrap these cars?

I’ll let you in on a little secret: if you’re on the fence and can’t decide whether you should get the Subaru XV or the Forester, take my advice and go straight for the smaller, quirkier one. Sure, utility is a bit compromised here, but it more than makes up for it in other areas including better on-road dynamics.

The Nissan GT-R NISMO is Now Immortalized in LEGO

Here’s an interesting gift suggestion for all GT-R and NISMO fans out there: the first-ever LEGO set featuring Nissan’s supercar. Unveiled at Nissan’s headquarters in Yokohama, the 298-piece Nissan GT-R NISMO is part of LEGO’s Speed Champions line.

Honda finally pulls the wraps off the all-new, fifth-generation City sub-compact sedan in Thailand and with it brings a promise of re-imagining the segment by being “better in every dimension” and “delivering a value beyond everyone’s imagination.”

Buying a brand-new Subaru? Well, you’re in for a surprise because distributor Motor Image Pilipinas is clearing their older 2018 inventory and to do that, they’re offering their biggest discount yet with up to P 350,000 off selected models until December 31, 2019.

Kia Shows the Seltos's Aftermarket Potential with the X-Line Concepts (w/ 14 Photos)

Attention Seltos buyers, Kia is showing off the aftermarket potential of its new sub-compact crossover with a pair of vehicles called the Seltos X-Line Trail Attack and the Seltos X-Line Urban.

It sure looks like a beefed-up Veloster, but beneath this weird looking exterior could be Hyundai’s high-performance future. How high-performance? Well, it’s time to think supercar levels.

San Miguel Corporation has taken a major step in the area of sustainability by laying the first road made of recycled plastics in the country in Southern Luzon.

BYD Philippines first launched their S1 in 2017 to a crowded sub-compact SUV marketspace. Thus, it comes as no surprise that it simply got lost. Hoping to stand out this time, distributor Solar Transport & Automotive Resources Corporation thinks their revamped 2020 offering may have something unique to offer: pure electric drive.

The 2020 Accord is the latest Honda model to receive a perfect 5-star rating in a crash test conducted by the ASEAN NCAP.

Crossovers Are Now Niche as Car Buyers Move to Pick-Up Trucks, Mid-Sized SUVs

Whenever car launches happen, some journos are awestruck by the song-and-dance numbers that carmakers come up with; and since some numbers rival Cirque Du Soleil in their elaborateness, I guess that can’t be helped. Of course, for some of us who seek numbers, these presentations come across as being heavy on style, but light on substance.

Quick: what’s the most reliable car out there? If you’re thinking Toyota, you’re not far off, they’ve got a sizeable chunk in the Top 10 Most Reliable List. But you know what’s most impressive? A little two-door sportscar managed to beat them all. That’s right. For the 2020 Model Year, it’s the Mazda MX-5.

The Global NCAP is telling vehicle manufacturers to employ more standard driver assist technologies which could help in reducing the risk of road crashes. This was done at their latest “#StopTheCrash” initiative which is done in support of the United Nations Global Goals and Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Hyundai is showing off what its next-generation Tucson compact SUV could look like with the Vision T Plug-In Hybrid SUV Concept. The seventh model in a series of concepts from the Hyundai Design Center, it is a strong indication that the upcoming Tucson will finally carry the Sensuous Sportiness design concept.

Toyota Just Made a 302-Horsepower RAV4

Hey, Subaru. I hope you’re listening. Next time you’re thinking of making your Forester as mainstream as a Toyota RAV4, perhaps you should take a look at this: it’s a 302-horsepower version called the RAV4 Prime.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) encourages all travelers to leave rudeness behind. With that, the government agency is embarking on a civility campaign called DisipliNAIA to combate unacceptable airport behavior.

Aston Martin enters the ultra-luxury SUV segment with the DBX. As the first SUV in the British brand’s 106-year history, the DBX is the product of an extensive development program that started in 2015. With that, it’s expected to bring both the versatility and indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with Aston Martin levels of performance.

MG is the Official Mobility Partner of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 10th ASEAN Para Games which will be held in Manila this November to December 2019.

Mercedes-Benz isn’t the only premium brand holding a weekend sale this November 22-24, 2019. If you prefer something sportier, the folks at BMW may have the right car just for you.

Let’s face it: most people don’t give their car batteries a second thought; they just expect it to fire up the engine at first crank, and think nothing of it after. However, because modern automobiles are much more complex, it does add a considerable strain on the battery, especially since battery technology hasn’t changed all that much.

Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) recently opened its first full-service dealership in Isabela to offer total support to Ilocanos and customers from neighboring cities. Hino Isabela, Hino’s 17th appointed dealership and the 19th dealer to be formally launched in the country, is ready to contribute to the city’s growth by supplying its truck and bus needs.

Life after Pininfarina has been mixed for Ferrari. Vehicles designed under its in-house Ferrari Styling Centre are head-turners, but not exactly beautiful. That’s all changed though with the unveiling of its newest sportscar: the Roma.

Petron's Newest Campaign is a Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane (w/ Video)

Petron has launched a new marketing campaign that centers on their 85-year history as being integral of the Philippine automotive narrative. The campaign, “Kasabay sa Lakbay” is a nostalgic trip down memory lane showing how the number one fuel brand in the country has always been the Filipino’s reliable partner.

Mustang (noun) meaning a free-roaming horse found in the Western United States. It’s also the first “pony car,” an affordable sports coupe with a long hood and short deck first launched by Ford in 1964. It is the only nameplate in the Blue Oval’s stable to remain in uninterrupted production over five decades or development and revision. This year, Ford management to throw all that legacy away by launching a model that’s the anthesis of everything the Mustang stands for. The biggest crime is that they actually call it a Mustang.

With the announcement that the FIAT 124 Spider is now available for order locally, there’s one press matter on the minds of sportscar nuts out there: does it grant you membership into Miata Club Philippines?

Signing off on the test drive agreement, I waved the Ford driver goodbye and I nonchalantly opened my gate to let this week’s wheels in—a 2019 Expedition Max in a stunning shade of blue. With the Ranger Raptor fitting in snuggly, I figured this behemoth could fit. Oh, how I was wrong. Almost kissing the garage wall, I looked back to see a sizeable chunk of ass still sticking out. Oh boy, I thought. This is going to be an interesting week.

Foton Philippines Refreshes the Traveller XL With More Safety Features But Retains Its Price

While its trucks are known to be dependable, Foton Philippines has also built a stellar reputation around its formidable passenger van line-up. Case in point is the Traveller XL—their larger than life MPV that seats not 11, not 15, but 19 people. And now, it’s been refreshed with added safety features for the same price.

The all-new Mazda3 has been named “Supreme Winner” of the 2019 Women’s World Car of the Year awards. Aside from nabbing the highest distinction of the award giving body, the Mazda3 was also voted as the Women’s World Family Car of the Year.

After a short tease, Mitsubishi Motors has finally revealed the updated 2020 Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 (Attrage) sedan. Both models display the brand’s signature Dynamic Shield design and will be introduced first in Thailand this November with other markets to follow.

After saving his daughter from a certified fuccboi, the second video from Toyota Innova ambassadors, the Muhlach family is finally out. Eschewing a contrived story line, this one goes straight to the point and answers some deep, personal questions. Questions such as: what is Aga’s favorite button in the Innova.

With the same running gear as the mid-grade Subaru Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight, it’s sufficient enough to say that this high-trim model, the Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight drives the very same way. You can check out the more extensive review here, but if you want the gist, read on.

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