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July 14, 2014

Motor Image Launches Subaru XV STI Performance, Coming to PHL in September

Event Photos by Ulysses Ang

Cementing its foothold as the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the region, Motor Image has unveiled the new Subaru XV STI Performance Edition at its new 3S Center in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The Subaru XV STI Performance Edition combines the rugged sportiness of the Subaru XV urban crossover with STI’s world-renowned engineering prowess to create a vehicle with enhanced aesthetics and performance from improved handling and aerodynamics. At the same time, the launch of the XV STI Performance Edition marks a stronger market presence for Subaru’s tuning division, Subaru Technica International or better known as STI.

Honda Cars Philippines Announces Voluntary Safety Recall

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announces the voluntary recall of 1,760 units of selected Honda Fit, City, Civic, and Accord sold in the Philippines due to faulty inflation device of the front passenger airbag.

Ford Philippines today announced an all-time best quarter, driven by a record-breaking performance for the month of June with retail sales of 1,697 units, an increase of 36 percent year-over-year.

The record June sales also contributed to the highest second quarter performance in the Philippines at 5,172 units, a 45 percent increase over the same period last year. Year-to-date sales currently stand at 8,864 units, up 42 percent compared to last year and marking Ford’s best-ever mid-year performance in the country.

Riding its steady momentum since last year, Chevrolet Philippines - The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) continues its sustained growth for the first two quarters of 2014. Chevrolet sold a total of 4,066 units for the first six months of the year, so far its all-time best half year performance. June sales totaled 701 units, resulting in one of the highest performing months for Chevrolet in the Philippines.

Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country has partnered with MFI Foundation, Inc. (formerly Meralco Foundation, Inc.), a non-profit science foundation that has been providing top-notch technical training and education in the Philippines for more than 30 years, under its Industrial Technician Program (ITP) specializing in Automotive Technology.

Concept One and Saffiro Tires are Now Official Rims and Tires of the 2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championships

The 2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship Series continues its partnership with Wheel Gallery, the official distributors Concept One wheels and Saffiro tires.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is again geared up to continue the fun in its all-out motorsports festival this July 26, 2014 (Saturday) at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. Let the number one automotive company in the country take you once again to a day filled with heart racing excitement during the 2nd leg of the highly acclaimed 2014 Vios Cup!

“Innovation, by nature, is disruptive. If you can build upon an existing set of gears and everything is working smoothly, then you’re not revolutionizing yourself enough,” said Clay Christensen, a professor at the Harvard Business School and one of the most influential business thinkers in the world, as he opened the annual Ford Trends Conference. Sharing the stage with world-renowned American designer Kenneth Cole, Cole ended the night with a simple yet profound statement: “Today, companies do a lot of similar products, but what sets a great company apart is a powerful brand.”

Across three Asian cities, Uber is announcing a price cut on its flagship product, uberBLACK.

Uber, with a global presence in more than 130 cities, 25 of which are in Asia Pacific, is offering price reductions on its uberBLACK services in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. Reduction is as high as 50% off its regular prices in some of these cities, making it cheaper than travelling in taxis.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Oh my, how the world turns. Hyundai was once known for being value-for-money cars. They were solid but crude cars with a price tag that made it close to being disposable after a couple of years of use (or abuse). On the other hand, Toyota produced refined and quality cars which certainly cost more, but are seemingly built to survive a nuclear war. Today though, the world moves to a different beat. With the Wigo sub-compact Toyota has moved, for the first time in its Philippine history, way into the basic transportation genre; while Hyundai has leveled up several notches with its i10 (now known as the Grand i10). Has the automotive world turned upside down? Is the P 728,000 Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 really worth it against the P 534,000 Toyota Wigo 1.0 G? Well, it’s time to find out.

Free Pepsi with Your Petron Value Card

Petron Value Card holders get a free refreshing drink each time they fuel up at any participating Petron service station.

More than 150 classic and custom Volkswagen cars gathered last June 22, 2014 at the Camp Aguinaldo Parade Grounds, Quezon City in celebration of the World Volkswagen Day.

Land Rover Philippines (LRPhils) Motors, Inc., the official and exclusive importer and distributor of Land Rover vehicles in the country welcomed the all-new 2014 Range Rover Sport—the brand’s most dynamic and sportiest model that still manages to embody the Land Rover spirit of unparalleled all-terrain capability and Range Rover’s opulent luxury.

CAC Marks 20th Anniversary with "Green" Cause

It has been 20 years since Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) made a splash in the automotive industry, and now, they continue to be a formidable influence in the Filipino driving experience.

As exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, CAC has offered the Korean automaker giant’s quality and innovative lineup, while maintaining a signature Family-like Care after-sales service to millions of Filipinos since 1994.

The Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 has successfully demonstrated its unmatched capabilities in tackling tough terrain to thousands of truck lovers and off-road driving enthusiasts coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. But the popular pickup model faced—and, more importantly, surpassed—its biggest challenge at the final leg of the driving series that was designed to showcase its performance.

As vehicles become an integral part of the Internet of Things, Ford and Intel are researching new opportunities for the connected car, including giving drivers the ability to remotely peer into their car using a smartphone, or a vehicle that could identify its owner using facial recognition software.

Honda Launches CR-V Cruiser Edition

Honda Cars Philippines has added a new variant to their CR-V: the Cruiser Edition. Available in both 2.0 and 2.4-liter variants, the CR-V Cruiser Edition brings more entertainment options to Honda’s compact crossover.

Be prepared for Toyota’s biggest offer of savings in 2014 this July! This month, the number one automotive company in the country, makes it easier for you with packages that will make owning a Toyota so easy. Choose from various financing options that will suit everyone’s lifestyle with Toyota’s promotions this month!

MINI Philippines has broadened its reach by venturing into the Visayas and Mindanao regions through the opening of MINI Cebu in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Located along A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City and headed by Kris Lyndon Go and Brian Chua, President and Vice President, respectively, MINI Cebu is an affiliate of the Autocentral Group which also operates Suzuki, Subaru, Ford and JMC dealerships in the Visayas and Mindanao.

A small petrol engine that powers Ford cars including the new Fiesta has fought off competition from premium brands and supercars to win the “Oscars” of the engine world for an unprecedented third time in a row.

Ford Motor Company’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine – which lowers fuel consumption without sacrificing power – was named 2014 International Engine of the Year for its drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology.

Motorists can now use EasyDrive stickers for a most convenient and speedy passage along the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), courtesy of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).

Review: 2014 Toyota Innova 2.5 V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Nine years is a long time in anyone’s book. In the same year YouTube was launched and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI, Toyota hatched a new product that revolutionized the Asian Utility Vehicle or AUV segment by killing it. The product’s name: the Toyota Innova. Of course, a lot has happened since then and new players have entered into the segment. Still, it seems that the more things change, the more it stays the same; especially true when it comes to the Innova—a product that’s essentially unchanged since its debut in 2005. Still here it is, still in prime fighting form two face lifts later.

Honda Cars Opens in Camarines Sur

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) continues to expand its dealership network as it recently opened its 32nd full-service dealership, Honda Cars CamSur (Pili) - HCCP. In constantly providing total customer satisfaction, Honda marks its official entry in Bicol region and brings world-class quality products and services easily accessible to Bicolanos. The dealership is located along San Jose, National Highway, Pili, Camarines Sur with sales operations from Monday to Sunday (8:00AM to 6:30PM) and service operations from Monday to Saturday (8:00AM to 5:00PM).

Further with Ford 2014: Ford Debuts Industry's First Five-Row Side-Curtain Airbag

The all-new Ford Transit 15-passenger wagon makes its debut in the United States and Canada with the industry’s only five-row side-curtain airbag.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Dearborn, MICHIGAN—Ford underscored the importance of its licensing business (which brings in more than US$ 2 billion per year) by introducing yet another addition to its successful product tie-ups: the Ford F-150 Power Wheels. The ride-on toy, which is developed and sold by Fisher-Price takes the iconic F-150 to an entirely new dimension: one that kids will love and enjoy. It will be sold for US$ 349.99 (~PHP 16,100.00) beginning in September for the US market. This marks the third-generation ride-on toy inspired by the F-150 and though pricey, it actually can tackle rough terrain and even features LED headlights just like the real thing!

12 Iconic Vehicles to Showcase Evolution of PHL Auto Industry at 5th PIMS

The 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) will treat this year’s visitors to an exclusive tour of the local motoring history with an exhibit of 12 iconic vehicles to highlight this year’s theme “Progress in Motion”.
Organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), the country’s premiere automotive exhibition will showcase a rare collection of automobiles from the 1950’s to the 2010’s that shaped the automotive landscape of the country in the last 60 years.

Toyota Motor Corporation has revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan, first unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last year.

The car will launch in Japan before April 2015, and preparations are underway for launches in the U.S. and European markets in the summer of 2015.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines, inaugurates Official Honda Accessory Corner business in two pilot dealers Honda Cars Greenhills (HCGH) and Honda Cars San Pablo (HCSP) .

Further with Ford 2014: All-New Global Ford Edge Makes Debut

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Dearborn, Michigan—At the eve of the Further with Ford Trend Conference, Ford Motor Company unveiled the all-new, second-generation Edge crossover at their world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan Considered now as part of Ford’s “global product portfolio”, the all-new Edge could find its way to markets such as South East Asia and the Philippines where it is seriously being considered (it’s actually sold already in markets such as China). Innovation and design come together truly as the 2015 Edge packs a fresh new design, more interior technology, and more fuel-efficient drivetrains than its predecessor.

So, Honda has finally released their all-new, Jazz. But where does it sit next to its competition? Well, we’ve stacked it up against its most likely competition in the sub-compact, gasoline-powered hatchback segment: Chevrolet Sonic 1.4 LTZ, Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost, Kia Rio 1.4 EX, Mazda2 1.5, and Toyota Yaris 1.5 G. We actually wanted to pit it against the Suzuki Swift 1.4 as well, but data for its interior dimensions are rather hard to find.

UPATED: Different Lives, One Car: All-New 2014 Honda Jazz Launched (w/ Complete Brochure)

UPDATE 1: See how the 2014 Honda Jazz stacks up against the competition (6/25).

Honda Cars Philippines is continuing its product-led comeback with the release of the all-new, third-generation Jazz—the sub-compact hatchback that promises to be the only car you need for all the lives you need. Dynamically styled with an intelligently designed interior, the all-new Jazz also promises to be one of the sportiest, most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.

Eagerly awaited by both the motoring public and the automobile industry, Sunshine Television (STV) will again launch its annual awards program to seek out the Philippines’ most popular automobiles. The 3-month public poll for the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) gets underway on July 1, 2014 with a banner field of candidate models vying for much-coveted honors.

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