BANGKOK, THAILAND—Sport Utility Vehicles are seen as lumbering giants—too big, too thirsty, and too cumbersome for daily use. Nonetheless, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the growing popularity of this segment. Ford, through its decade-defining One Ford Plan, aims to address the need for a more urbran-centric SUV; one that’s designed to ultimately tackle the hardest challenge of all: daily life. Meet the all-new Ford EcoSport.

UPDATE: We have now included more launch pictures of the Ford EcoSport after the break.

Subaru has finally taken the wraps off the WRX Concept--a design study that serves as the clearest indication of what the production WRX would look like come late this year. Subaru has purposely given sparse mechanical specifications of the WRX Concept as it serves mainly to give "hints" to the design language of the production WRX.

There are two kinds of people in this world.

There are people who drink coffee. Then there are people who think 3-in-1 tastes like piss and have to order monkey-picked beans and roast them in their very own coffee laboratory.

There are people who check their email, surf the web and occasionally press the ‘like’ button on Facebook. Then there are people who build their PCs piece by literal piece with only the finest components available. And they do it every year.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

BANGKOK, THAILAND—The presence of Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company’s rock star President and CEO at the Bangkok International Motor Show served as the perfect indicator that big news awaited the guests gathered at the Ford pavilion. After unveiling the much-awaited segment-busting urban SUV, the EcoSport a day earlier, what larger headline could possibly trump that? After taking the stage, Mr. Mulally quickly mentioned how the ASEAN market is Ford Motor Company’s most important and fastest growing market—growing at a staggering rate of 27 percent year-on-year (to the tune of 87,623 units). He also stressed that a good chunk of buyers in this market would opt for a small car by the year 2020. Then, he dropped a bomb shell: EcoBoost is finally arriving in the ASEAN underneath the refreshed Ford Fiesta.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Budget-friendly motorists, as well as taxi and fleet companies, will certainly look more stylish as Toyota has given its Vios sub-compact car a global reveal at the Bangkok International Motor Show. The all-new Vios features a head-turning look inspired by the recently launched RAV4 and to some degree, the 86 sportscar.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Honda is aiming once again to lure luxury buyers back into their fold with the official unveil of the all-new Accord at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Based off the US-market Accord, the ASEAN version features some detail changes to give the Accord a more luxurious twist compared to its American stablemate.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Lexus's highlight at the Bangkok International Motor Show is the all-new IS 300h, showcased in a stunning red color perched in their booth's main stage. This officially marks as the official ASEAN reveal of the new rear-wheel drive sports sedan. Clad in the brand's F Sport package, the swoopy design features the rather controversial "Nike" headlights. Whatever you make of it though, it's deemed as the "boldest design" for Lexus yet. The all-new IS 300h uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine mated to Lexus's Hybrid Drive powertrain as well as a CVT transmission.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Confession time: despite being in the motoring beat for over a decade now, this is the first time I’ve ever driven a Kia extensively. Of course, it happened that it’s the Rio 1.2 SLX that arrived—the P 625,000 budget-friendly, fleet-inclined vehicle that’s normally not on most reviewers’ wish list. Despite its daunting task of having to convince me of the brand’s merits (they could have sent a Sportage or Optima, after all), it succeeded. The Kia Rio 1.2 SLX turned out to be a great, spunky automobile—a testament on how Kia can design and engineer great small cars; proof that fun doesn’t necessarily start at a million pesos.

Anyone handling a four-wheeled vehicle cannot afford to go places without a travel buddy. Whether it’s a short journey or a long distance trip, a travel buddy will always help you keep your concentration on what’s ahead, remind you of the rules of the road, and help you keep your vehicle travel-worthy.

It is in this spirit that Petron proudly unveils this year’s Petron Lakbay Alalay program. Well-loved as the longest running motorist assistance program in the country, Petron Lakbay Alalay, now on its 27th year, doesn’t just involve itself with helping stranded motorists during long calendar breaks (such as the Holy Week stretch and All Souls’ Day/All Saints Day). Petron Lakbay Alalay now is a series of activities spread year-round to help the motorists and communities.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) under its corporate social responsibility education and safety advocacies - the 1’M Blue Eco-Safe Driving Campaign, recently tied-up with the Department of Energy and the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center (UP NEC) in conducting seminars on fuel efficiency for road transport in 10 key cities in the Philippines from January to May 2013.

The seminar shares the Government’s energy efficiency program, the rationale of eco-safe driving, then moves on with practical tips on driving practices that save fuel and proper vehicle maintenance. There are 20 half-day sessions set for public utility drivers and operators from 5 cities in Luzon (Laoag, Legaspi, Baguio, Pampanga and Metro Manila); 3 in Visayas (Cebu, Iloilo and Tacloban); and 2 in Mindanao (Davao and Cagayan de Oro.)

Allow Casey Hyun to inspire your imagination at the upcoming ICON (Innovation Congress), the 3rd Thought Leadership Forum of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

As head of Hyundai’s design team, Mr. Hyun is credited for leading the team that developed, refined, and implemented the Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, the concept that has given Hyundai an identity that sets it apart even at a glance.

Summer is here!  It’s time for long trips, beach vacations and out-of-town fun!  But before
heading out, make sure that you have a healthy car for your safe and worry-free travels!
Schedule an appointment for Hyundai’s CAMP—Check-up And Maintenance Promo, and choose
from our Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) packages:

• PMS Package 1: HGMO Mineral Oil with 25% discount on labor
• PMS Package 2: HGMO Semi-synthetic Oil with 25% discount on labor
• PMS Package 3: HGMO Fully Synthetic Oil with 25% discount on labor, 10% discount on parts and engine oil and FREE Hyundai backpack or foldable fan  

Plus, for every PMS package, you also get a FREE 23-PT check-up for your car.  So call your
authorized participating dealership today and ask about Hyundai’s CAMP, to jumpstart your
summer!

Hyundai’s CAMP is until March 27, 2013.  See flyers for more details.  Per DTI-NCR Permit No.
1472 Series of 2013.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Bali, Indonesia—Coming up to a blind corner, our car looked like it would barely fit into the right-hander when a motorcycle suddenly cut in. The brakes were applied and we came to a screeching halt. Driving in Bali required a lot of confidence and concentration given the tight streets and bustling roads. Everywhere you looked, there were souvenir shops, lost-in-the-moment tourists, sidewalk cafes, and parked buses—the sort of organized chaos pretty much prevalent all over South East Asia. Thankfully though, that day in Bali, we were behind the wheel of a Subaru XV, a car so well packaged that it’s seemingly designed to tackle the challenge of everyday life with poise and composure.

To this day, a lot of people don’t like the new Nissan GT-R. They respect the car’s performance, but they largely ignore it because aside from the aspect of technical mastery, it pretty much threw out everything that the Skyline GT-R heritage stood for.

No longer did it have a bullet-proof, silky smooth turbo-charged inline-6. No longer was it a quirky box with a wing. No longer was it a car that could trace it roots to a staid family sedan. No longer was it the tunable, every-man Godzilla on wheels that prior GT-Rs had been.

Summer of 2013 just got hotter with chicks, kicks and cars! A much-anticipated collaboration between Sole Slam and Autobot Autoworks dubbed as WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE: Sole Slam Manila X Automax Carshow 2013 on April 13 and 14 at One Esplanade, SM Mall of Asia Complex where we will bring the finest sneakers and the top street cars of today. This year we will sponsor three top local DJs and include a live concert from the nation’s top hiphop, RnB and dance artists. This event will also feature special appearances from hot Filipina celebrities and personalities and top tattoo artists, Russian pole dancers and anti gravity yoga performances. Expect an unforgettable and most talked about event that will leave everyone in awe, excitement and anticipation.

You can shine brighter, just in time for the summer!  Buy a brand-new Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai Accent Sedan with Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS—Discounts, Easy And Light Schemes!

Brilliant discounts and financing terms await you.  For cash buyers, as much as P25,000 cash discount.  Pay as low as P78,000 down payment, or low monthly amortization of P7,023 with all-in packages thrown in, inclusive of 1-year comprehensive insurance, 3-year LTO registration, Chattel mortgage fee, free tint, matting, and more!  You can get savings of as much as P99,000!

So why wait, when you can have your very own Hyundai Elantra or Accent sedan right now?  Give it a go with Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS.  Rush over to your nearest authorized Hyundai dealer today!

Cars included in Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS promo are: Elantra sedan variants (1.6 GL A/T, 1.6 GL M/T, and 1.8 GLS A/T) and Accent sedan variants (1.4 GL M/T and 1.4 GL A/T).  All deals are subject to bank approval.  Promo is until March 31, 2013.  See flyers for more details.  Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 1964 Series of 2013.

For three straight years, BPI Family Auto Loan once again presents the 2013 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) to be held at the World Trade Center on April 4 to 7, 2013. Themed, Innovation and Technology, BPI Family Auto is offering on-site and on-line loan processing with special deals on car purchases.

Now on its 9th year, the MIAS remains to be the Philippines’ biggest motoring event of the year. Welcoming more than 88,000 visitors last year, the 2013 MIAS expects 100, 000 spectators and car enthusiasts to visit this year as it features more than 300 cars on display including numerous launches of the newest and hottest cars in the Philippine market today.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is running the Honda Emergency Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.) program to provide motorists travelling during the holy week an on-site travel aid, service and support in different destination on March 27 to 31, 2013.

Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies issue honors leading businesses, including Apple, Amazon, Google and Target along with such rising newcomers as Square, Fab and Tumblr. Ford Motor Company is the only full-line automaker named to the 2013 list. Nike ranks No. 1 following the release of two major innovations, FuelBand and Flyknit technology.

Ms. Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, President and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), official distributor of Hyundai cars in the Philippines, was cited among the 2013 Women Icons of Entrepreneurship at the Fifth Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit 2013 of Go Negosyo. The award was presented to her by Mr. Joey Concepcion, Founding Trustee of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.—Go Negosyo (L), Summit Keynote Speaker Hon. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Mr. Ramon Lopez, Executive Director of Go Negosyo.

The Fifth Go Negosyo Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit, which recognizes the Filipina as a catalyst of change and progress, was held to coincide with the international celebration of Women’s Month. Go Negosyo is on its eighth year of dedicated work to empower Filipinos to be enterprising and entrepreneurial.