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June 8, 2014

Ford Builds Lightweight Concept Car

Ford Motor Company unveiled its Lightweight Concept vehicle, which uses advanced materials to explore future weight-reduction solutions that could improve performance and fuel efficiency while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Review: 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Ask me what compact sedan I’d consider getting for myself, without batting an eye, I’d answer with the Toyota Corolla Altis. Label me a sellout, label me ignorant—the fact you’ve pre-judged the all-new Corolla Altis means you’ve been living under a rock the past year. In that time, Toyota has masterfully re-created the country’s best-selling compact sedan, transforming it from a mundane Point A to Point B transport into something that even I, a self-confessed car nut, will consider plopping down hard-earned cash on. And though much attention’s been showered on the 2.0 V, the P 1,201,000 price tag is a tad steep for some people. Move down a notch, there’s the nicely-loaded P 999,000 1.6 V, a car that doesn’t break the psychological million-peso mark and the subject of this test drive.

Hyundai Philippines Offers Unique Shout Out Promo for Father's Day

Give him the best Father’s Day surprise yet. Be one of the 120 people to show your dad big love, right on the busiest road in the Metro. Shout out your Father’s Day greetings on the Hyundai LED billboards along EDSA, for everyone to see.

When it comes to buying a new car or motorcycle, the price point is consistently a major consideration in any individual’s buying process. Being able to find a vehicle for a special price or to get added-value can often be the incentive needed to seal the deal. However, it’s often difficult for prospective buyers to find timely and reliable information on all the best deals and promotions that are occurring across multiple different brands.

Honda Cars Philippines launches sportier Civic for 2014 (w/ Complete Brochure)

Amidst the City, Jazz, Accord and even the CR-Z, the Civic is undoubtedly the face of Honda, especially in the Philippines. Through the years, it has earned its rightful place in the hearts and minds of Filipino buyers with its sporty DNA, driver-centric attributes, and affordable pricing. However, the entry of the ninth-generation Civic in 2012 underscored a difficult time at Honda. Not only did they have to resort to launching a single variant, imported from Japan, due to a plant shutdown in Thailand, it was received lukewarmly especially with its less than sporty design.

For the roads you need to take and the paths you want to make, Chevrolet Philippines-The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) launched its YOU Trailblazer campaign. The “bowtie” brand commissioned, director Paul Soriano and his production house TEN17P for this campaign, and released their YOU Trailblazer TVC which you can watch if you log on to www.chevrolettrailblazer.com.ph. The campaign aims to showcase and promote the vehicle that personifies every hardworking, thrill seeking and fun loving Filipino - the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Chevrolet designed and built this power packed mid-size SUV to be the perfect companion that every Trailblazer would desire for its durability and dependability.

Ford Philippines once again kicks off its annual Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL), a global program aimed at teaching drivers, especially those with new licenses, the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what is learned in standard driver education programs.

Volkswagen is presenting the World Cup edition of the world's most successful football app "Onefootball". The Onefootball Brasil app is now available for free download. The exclusive Volkswagen World Cup edition features breaking news on players, teams and results as well as a live ticker and the latest football videos. "Volkswagen is a partner for football all over the world. The app gives fans from all nations the opportunity to follow everything that's going on at this year's football mega-event as and when it happens. This app turns it into a live experience for the fans", Anders-Sundt Jensen, Head of Marketing Communications at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, said.

This is the Best Mercedes-Benz Commercial Yet

So, who do you get to drive the new Mercedes-Benz GLA? It could very well be David Beckham or a Tom Cruise, but for the folks in Mercedes-Benz Japan, they just had to get Mario. Yes, Mario from Super Mario. The resulting ad is funny and cool; definitely the best ad from Mercedes-Benz as of late.

Isuzu Brings Off-Road Driving Thrills to Bacolod; Next Stop: Cagayan de Oro

Executives present during the opening ceremony on May 23, from left, IPC VP for Administration Akira Okumura; Isuzu Bacolod President/General Manager Bing Uy; Executive Assistant to Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella , Manuel “Chuck” Garcia; IPC EVP Takashi Tomita; IPC SVP for Sales Arthur Balmadrid; and, IPC Consultant for Manufacturing Tadao Takenouchi.

First was Pampanga, followed by Cebu. From May 23 to 25, 2014, Bacolod came next as the venue for the third leg of the 2014 Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Drive Series. This brings to more than a thousand the number of people who have test-driven the latest D-Max pickup in specially designed off-road tracks.

Mazda3 and the UAAP: A Slam Dunk Partnership for Season 77

Mazda Philippines signed on as a Major Sponsor with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77 for on-air television coverage. Featuring the All-New Mazda3, the premium Japanese brand intends to extend the brand further in partnership with UAAP hostilities beginning this July.

Ready and set to start fast, sliding, and smoking sideways action at 2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship Series, this Saturday, May 31 at the C5 Mega Tent Quezon City (right before Eastwood heading North bound). This year will be the 9th Season of the Lateral Drift Championship and promises to be more exciting. Event will be open to the public at no admission fees and practice will start 10am for Amateur drifters and Pro qualifying will start by 3pm onwards. It will be a night drift finals so that the competitors and spectators will see and enjoy all the action away from the heat of the sun.

L-R: Mr. Romy Tan, YMPH Sales General Manager; Mr. Kaoru Ogura, YMPH Sales & Marketing Director; Mr. Toru Osugi, YMPH President; Mr. Rodrigo Roque, UAAP Board Member; Ms. Karen Coloma, Head, Licensing Division, ABS-CBN Corporation and Mr. Ryan Jude Camus, YMPH Marketing Section Manager

The pioneer in the motorcycle industry, Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc., carries on to create innovative products that uplift the standards of service in the country. Yamaha continues to provide unique experience to everyone by providing pioneering products that has always been focused on the underlying philosophy of Yamaha, which is to provide the exceptional value and satisfaction of the customers.

L-R: Rodini Rivera, Race Operations Manager Batangas Racing Circuit, Inc.; Nelson Gayola, Managing Head for Corporate Communications Department Batangas Racing Circuit, Inc.; Yuki Iwasa Vice President Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines, Inc.; and Andrew Bernardo, General Manager Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines, Inc.

The Yokohama Philippine Grand Touring Car Championship is finally ready to kick off the 2014 season this coming June 1 at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC).

With the summer heat pushing the mercury past 40 degrees Celsius, one of the easiest ways to get cool quickly is to hop into the all-new Ford EcoSport. The air-conditioning system in the urban SUV is so effective that within 10 minutes of starting the engine, you’d be so comfortable that you’d have forgotten how hot it is outside.

Review: 2014 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 GLS 2WD

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Generally, mid-cycle refreshes are called “facelifts” for good reason: because aside from a nose job and an accompanying price hike, you don’t get much else; manufacturers simply leave the good stuff for the all-new model arriving down the road. Every once in a while though, a car manufacturer breaks this mold and adds a bit more spice into the mix. One such case is the 2014 Hyundai Tucson, but it’s something you don’t obviously see; as it looks like the same one that debuted in 2009. However, drive one and you’ll experience the difference.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles,announced that the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has awarded the best possible ranking of 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) to the all-new 2015 WRX and WRX STI currently sold in the North American region. As for the other Subaru models, 2014 Legacy, 2014 Outback, 2014 Impreza, 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek and 2014/2015 Forester have already earned a 2014 TSP rating.

Unknown to most people, the Nissan Skyline isn’t just the GT-R. It’s actually a family of vehicles including lesser tuned two- and four-door models. Of course, with the R35, Nissan spun the GT-R into a separate line, but it doesn’t mean that the Skyline isn’t getting any turbo love. Nissan Motor Company has finally announced the availability of a new high-power, fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the Skyline 200GT-t.

Nissan to Enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 with GT-R LM Nismo

Nissan will unleash the GT-R and go head-to-head with Audi, Porsche and Toyota at Le Mans in 2015. The Japanese manufacturer will also contest the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship with a full factory effort of two LM P1 cars. Nissan’s LM P1 car will be called the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, carrying on a sporting bloodline that stretches back 30 years and recognizes the company’s flagship road car, the Nissan GT-R.

The Covenant Car Company Inc (TCCCI) truly knows how much their Filipino customers value vacations and out of town road trips with friends and family; hence, to provide new Chevy-buyers a worry-free experience in terms of going the distance, Chevrolet Philippines is offering the first 10,000 kilometer Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and one (1) year Motorcar Insurance for FREE when you buy your Chevrolet through a PBCOM Autoloan program from May 10 to July 31, 2014! Worry less about your car maintenance expenses and just enjoy your perfect summer getaway!

Two highly fitting locations have been selected for the UK and European debuts of the latest Bespoke Collection from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection will be previewed at an exclusive event on the site of the original Bluebird Motor Company – now the Bluebird Restaurant – on the King’s Road, London on Tuesday 13 May 2014.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The hash tag, “#boompanes” has been going around social media of late, a play on the expression, “boom panis”, which is the Filipino equivalent of “in your face.” Toyota Motor Philippines executed the motorsports equivalent of that expression (vroompanes) and showed everyone else who’s boss with the successful holding of the first two races of the 2014 Toyota Vios Cup at the Clark International Speedway last Saturday. Toyota rocked the motorsport scene to the core as 30 Vios racing cars lined up on the grid making it the largest grid in Philippine motorsports history. Jason Choachuy (# 37) of Toyota Balintawak ended up taking victory in Race 1 and Allan Uy (#66) of Toyota Quezon Avenue in Race 2 to score strategic points advantage in the eight-race series (4 legs).

Suzuki Philippines Announces Prices, Variants of Ertiga and Swift 1.2

Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPH), the only integrated motorcycle and automobile company in the country, releases the official pricing for the two latest compact car models – the Suzuki Ertiga and the Suzuki Swift 1.2.

Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen, hosts the Southeast Asia Pacific (SEAP) Conference. For the first time ever, the aftersales conference to be attended by 80 delegates from all over the Southeast Asian region, will be held locally to welcome the Philippine importer ACEI into the Volkswagen family.

Real for Real and Join the Pros at Sepang with Michelin's The Right 2 Race Online Game

Experience a real and unique motorsport event at the legendary Sepang International F1 Circuit in Malaysia with Michelin’s The Right 2 Race online game promo.

A Decade of Friendship: Toyota Road Trek 10

Photos by Ulysses Ang

There’s this saying that goes, “What happens in Toyota Road Trek, stays in Toyota Road Trek.” To the uninitiated, the annual Toyota Road Trek reads like the motoring beat’s equivalent of spring break, and to a certain degree it does; but besides the being handcuffed to the stage, getting piss-drunk at two in the afternoon, and hanging on for dear life on a mountain cliff, it’s more all about camaraderie, friendship, and the drive. Of course, all done in the Toyota Motor Philippines way.

These are the Highlights of the Upcoming 2014 Bangkok International Auto Salon

The 3rd Bangkok International Auto Salon 2014 (BIAS) has grown into the largest and most exciting custom car and accessories show in the ASEAN region, and this year the event plays host to several new product launches, including the public debut of the all-new Honda Jazz subcompact hatchback.

As the only and biggest Filipino refiner, Petron has a deep understanding of the unique driving conditions on Philippine roads, and its R&D team takes pride in formulating products that will deliver optimum efficiency for Filipino motorists.

Review: 2014 Toyota Wigo 1.0G M/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Owning a brand-new car should be stress-free. No anxiety attacks when thinking about payments. No worries about reliability. No agonizing over fuel and maintenance costs. Toyota’s latest addition to their line-up, the Wigo, is promising just that: it’s all about easy-to-own, easy-to-drive, and easy-to-enjoy. But can it live up to the promise? I spent an entire week with the Wigo 1.0G M/T—the full-loaded model that doesn’t break the psychological P 500,000-mark (P 499,000 to be exact). Just how well does it perform? Read on.

5th Philippine International Motor Show is Slated September 18-21 at World Trade Center

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) announces the much-awaited 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), a four-day event from September 18-21 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The Philippines’s best-selling pick-up, the Ford Ranger, gets new additions to its growing family to bring the total to 13 variants. The new additions expand the range-topping Wildtrak trim by adding two 2.2-liter 4x2 models and the 3.2-liter 4x4 equipped with a manual transmission. The prices for the new Wildtrak models are as follows:

Mazda in the Philippines extends its reach to the south with the opening of AUTOHUB Group’s all-new Mazda Davao, their latest full-service Mazda dealership facility in the country.

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