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December 12, 2012

HARI Partners with Synergeia for Education Reform in Mindanao

HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines, proudly formalized its funding support for Synergeia Foundation, one of the country’s innovative crusaders for quality education for children through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing last November 17, 2012 in Cagayan de Oro to underwrite its commitment to improving the access to and quality of basic education in Mindanao through its new “Hyundai Embraces Lanao’s Partnership or HELP for Education” Program.

Philippine Car Price Guide: December 2012

This is the December edition of the Philippine Car Price Guide. Since it's already the end of the year, there's not much that's changed from the previous months. Still, there are some manufacturers which have introduced some 2013 models and so they feature this month:

Honda City Modulo
Honda Civic Modulo
Honda CR-V (2013 models)
Honda Jazz Modulo
Nissan Almera
Lexus LFA
Lexus LS
Peugeot (price adjustment)

In addition, we're including links to cars we've tested. Some cars are actually clickable and they'll take you straight to our test drive. How neat is that?

Photos by Ulysses Ang

About a decade ago, the bulk of automotive sales was comprised of compact sedans. Think Toyota Corolla; Honda Civic; Mitsubishi Lancer and Nissan Sentra. But soon, a great sales paradigm shift happened, and pretty soon, every car manufacturer had a crossover in their line-up. Though they stood on the very same platform that underpinned compact sedans, crossovers are regarded as a status symbol and combined with its higher ground clearance, ‘command seating position’ and flexible interior meant everyone had or wanted a crossover.

Ford Philippines today reported overall retail sales that rose 46 percent year-over-year to 1,225 units – representing its second-best ever monthly performance, following record sales in October.

The strong November performance was led by an all-time record month for the Ford Ranger pickup, with the all-new Ranger delivering retail sales of 344 units.

Nissan Almera Arrives at Dealerships, Officially Launching January 2013

To welcome the festive holiday season this year, Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc. (NMPI) announced that the all-new Nissan Almera will arrive at all Nissan dealerships nationwide starting December 14.

Though NMPI’s newest compact sedan will be officially launched in January 2013, customers will be able to see and experience the vehicle’s class-leading comfort and space, as well as upscale design coupled with great functionality. For those who will avail of the early reservation, NMPI is also offering a free and exclusive accessory package, which includes chrome side molding, exhaust finisher and chrome front lower grille finisher.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

SINGAPORE—Twelve years ago, the internet was seen as a tool for the wealthy and the privileged. Today, being ‘connected’ is seen as a necessity and in some countries, a basic right. Times have changed, and Google seems to be taking the lead as the company outlines its vision to bring the next billion people online.

‘Tis the season to celebrate as Volvo Philippines shares more reasons to be merry. This December, whatever your interests are, there’s a gift waiting for you for every purchase of a brand new Volvo from December 1 – 31, 2012. Choose one among the twelve gift selections that were carefully thought out to fit your lifestyle.

Ford Philippines celebrated its 12th Annual Henry Ford Awards (HFA) by recognizing outstanding work and contributions in automotive journalism. A total of 12 awards were given out in eight regular categories and four special categories.

Ford Group Philippines announced that its Chairman, Henry Co, will retire at the end of December, closing a remarkable career of more than 14 years of dedicated service to the company.

Co first joined Ford in 1997 as Manufacturing Director of Ford Motor Company Philippines, and later moved to Bangkok, Thailand where he served as Business Office Director for Ford ASEAN.

Rolex is Official Formula 1 Timekeeper from 2013

Rolex has just been announced as the official timekeeper of Formula 1 from the 2013 season onwards.

The deal was announced as a long-term partnership between Formula 1 and Rolex. As a result, Rolex will provide the time in different locations during each grand prix weekend. At the same time, the Rolex logo will be positioned around the circuit and at several corners during the Formula 1 races.

Honda Cars Philippines Updates CR-V for 2013

The final pieces of the Thai puzzle are finally in place as Honda Cars Philippines has announced the availability of the Thai-built CR-Vs starting today at all Honda dealerships nationwide. While the Japan-made CR-V models dubbed 2.0 LX and 2.4 EX are available for a limited and at a discount (P 100,000 for the 2.0 LX and P 130,000 for the 2.4 EX), the arrival of the Thai-built CR-V means more variants, more features, and of course, a cheaper price tag.

Mazda Motor Corporation’s compact crossover SUV, the CX-5 has been named the 2012-2013 Car of the Year Japan. The award was announced by the Japan Car of the Year committee on November 29, 2012.

The CX-5 was the first model to adopt the full suite of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technologies including the engine, transmission, body and chassis. It offers a predictable and refined driving experience together with outstanding environmental and safety performance. It is also the first model to fully embody Mazda’s new design theme, KODO–Soul of Motion. With finely-honed vitality and dynamism, its styling is reminiscent of a cheetah about to pounce on its prey.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), a private, non-stock, non-profit business association pioneered by 11 leading automotive firms representing 20 world-class brands in the Philippines, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the premiere science and technology body in the country, to formalize their partnership in launching the Innovation Congress, dubbed iCON, early in 2013.

Volvo Car Group has a philosophy that an electrified car should be as safe as any other new Volvo car. This is now highlighted by the latest Euro NCAP results. The new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has achieved the highest- ever score for a plug-in hybrid. The five stars in the recent test, which included a frontal offset collision at 64km/h (40 mph) demonstrates that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has the same high safety level as the standard V60.

Hot on the heels of their 59 percent growth rate year-on-year, Motor Image Pilipinas, the country’s official distributor of Subaru automobiles has finally declared that “the wait is over” as they pulled the wraps off their much awaited, much anticipated Subaru BRZ sports car just last night in an edgy, young launch party for owners and media.

Review: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Whether Chevrolet likes it or not, the Sonic story actually starts with the Aveo, a cheap and crummy sub-compact from parent General Motors’ Korean subsidiary, Daewoo. It certainly was cheap for its time, but it wasn’t cheerful in any sense of the word. It was one unsatisfying car to drive with a dismal design and abysmal driving dynamics. It was so bad that Chevrolet’s micro car, the Spark, was a much better drive.

That was 2004.

UPDATED: Will This Fix Everything? Honda Reveals 2013 Civic Redesign at LA Auto Show

Panned for its lackluster design and dynamics, Honda has rushed a redesign of its Civic compact and here it is. The question is: are the changes enough?

Goodyear Philippines Appoints New Managing Director

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed a new managing director for the next phase of its growth in the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Effective December 1, 2012, Ron Castro will take up the newly created position of Managing Director for Goodyear Philippines & Distributor Markets. He will have direct responsibility for the Philippines business and oversight on the strategy and development of programs for Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Castro will report to Paul Cadena, Managing Director for Goodyear ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and relocate to the company’s Manila office.

The all-new 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV made its world debut at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. Toyota's fourth-generation RAV4, the world's original crossover sport utility vehicle, arrives early next year. With a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, new six-speed transmission, two-row seating for five, and a host of available in-cabin technologies, RAV4 offers a nuanced balance of performance and all-around capability, including class-leading cargo capacity, striking design, class-leading eight standard airbags, and a compelling array of standard features.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Autostrada Motore, Inc., the Philippines’s official importer and distributor of Ferrari cars in the Philippines is celebrating Christmas extra early this year as they launched a new and faster variant of their award-winning Ferrari California just last week: the Ferrari California 30.

Thirty is the operative number of the Ferrari California 30 as the car is 30 kilograms lighter and 30 horsepower more powerful than the standard California, hence the unique name. The California 30’s 4.3-liter V8 engine is now rated at 490 horsepower and 505 Nm of torque thanks to a new exhaust manifold and engine mapping. In addition, the California 30’s torque curve has been modified and is broader throughout the engine’s rev range. As a result, the California 30 can accelerate to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.8 seconds.

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December 12, 2012

HARI Partners with Synergeia for Education Reform in Mindanao

December 11, 2012

Philippine Car Price Guide: December 2012

Review: 2012 Hyundai Tucson GLS 2WD

Ford Philippines Reports 2nd Best Month Ever

December 10, 2012

Nissan Almera Arrives at Dealerships, Officially Launching January 2013

Google to Bring Next Billion People Online

Volvo Offers 12 More Reasons to Celebrate This Season

CarGuide.PH Wins at 12th Henry Ford Awards!

Ford Philippines Announces Retirement of Its Chairman

December 6, 2012

Rolex is Official Formula 1 Timekeeper from 2013

Honda Cars Philippines Updates CR-V for 2013

Mazda CX-5 is Japan Car of the Year 2012-2013

AVID and DOST Engage in Iconic Collaboration

Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid Scores Highest Safety Score for Electrified Car

UPDATED: The Wait is Over: Subaru BRZ is in the Philippines

December 4, 2012

Review: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan

November 30, 2012

UPDATED: Will This Fix Everything? Honda Reveals 2013 Civic Redesign at LA Auto Show

November 29, 2012

Goodyear Philippines Appoints New Managing Director

Toyota Unveils 2013 RAV4 at LA Auto Show

Ferrari California 30 Now Available in Philippines