There were no crashes, but lots of burning—as the best drifters in the Philippines smoked out tires and engines in the recently concluded 2014 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship. In its ninth year, and second in partnership with Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), this season’s drift championship showcased 40 drivers, proving the immense growth of the sport in the country.

After spending more than a month in hiatus, the Yokohama Philippine GT Championship is finally ready to host the sixth and final round of the 2014 season. Although the GT 300, GT 150, and GT 100 drivers' title have all been decided, there are still trophies and egos still at stake when the drivers line up on the grid for the final time this coming December 13 to 14 in Batangas Racing Circuit.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), displayed a positive sales performance in October of 3,101 units, up by 20% year-on-year. Sales for the ten-month tally reached 30,114 units, growing by 19%. Both growth in Passenger Car (PC) and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segments contributed to the overall sales of AVID. However, sales for Mini was not reflected in the total reported October sales for AVID.

Visa and Chevron Philippines have a big surprise in store for their clients as they collaborate to introduce the “Win Big with a Mini” Caltex-Visa Promo. Starting December 1, 2014, Visa Credit, Debit, and Prepaid cardholders who gas up at participating Caltex stations can get a chance to win an all-new Mini Cooper A/T 1.5L for every PHP 1,000 worth of Caltex Diesel with Techron, Caltex Silver with Techron, or Caltex Gold with Techron.

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

BEMAC Electric Transportation Philippines, Incorporated formerly known as BEET Philippines announced that their assembly line for electric vehicles (EVs) is now on place and is ready for mass production.

No turbo? That’s inevitably the first question asked by everyone during the launch of the all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback in Bangkok. It’s also the one question that Mr. Masayuki Uchida, Senior Project General Manager for both products could easily answer. His response: a turbocharged engine is not in line with the Legacy or Outback’s character. He’s aiming for an executive sedan with a smooth, comfortable, confident, and above all, linear driving experience; a turbocharged engine simply cannot deliver the refinement he wants. Mr. Uchida should know what he’s talking about: the vastly experienced 55-year old has worked on the Legacy since the first-generation model in 1981. This effectively means he’s worked on Subaru’s flagship offering for about half his life.

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Mazda Press

Fresh from winning the Japan Car of the Year 2014-2015 award, the Mazda2 gains a new sedan form which debuts at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. The all-new sedan variant joins the hatchback in offering the most up-to-date Skyactiv technology in the Mazda line-up. In Thailand, the Mazda2 also brandishes a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D clean diesel (Euro 5) engine good for a healthy 105 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm. It makes the all-new Mazda2 sedan the first vehicle to quality for Phase II of Thailand’s Eco Car program. It easily exceeds the requirements of doing 23.2 km/L and CO2 emissions not above 100g/km.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE 2: This is how the Honda HR-V squares up against the competition. (6/9)

UPDATE 1: Honda Cars Philippines just launched the HR-V for the Philippines. (6/7)

Readying its assault in the growing sub-compact crossover segment, Honda finally pulled the wraps off the Jazz-based HR-V at the 31st Bangkok Motor Expo 2014. Dubbed the “Premium Sport Crossover”, the HR-V gets a unique powertrain configuration for the Thai market which will most likely be carried over to the rest of the ASEAN region.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

In time with the Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary, Ford shows off the all-new 2015 version of the iconic muscle car for the first time in the ASEAN region at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. Showcased in a left-hand drive configuration at the show, the all-new Mustang is expected to make its arrival in the Philippines early 2015.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Not to be outdone and outgunned in the pick-up race, Nissan Philippines invited a couple of journalists to preview the all-new 2015 NP300 Navara at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. Although the X-Trail is the main highlight of Nissan Thailand’s pavilion (it’s the venue for the Thai market’s launch), Filipino eyes looked straight towards the striking NP300 Navara which shared the stage with Nissan’s premium compact crossover.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

First showcased at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show, Hyundai is showing off its future design direction with the HND-9 Concept, a luxury sports coupe that’s being shown in ASEAN for the very first time at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. A further evolution of the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design philosophy, the HND-9 is Hyundai’s modern interpretation of the classic premium sports coupe. It was developed at the company’s R&D Center in Namyang, Korea.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE 1: The all-new 2015 Mitsubishi Strada is officially launched (3/20).

One of Mitsubishi’s best-selling and most important products, the Triton (Philippine market Strada) receives the lion share of attention at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. Not only does it occupy the majority of Mitsubishi’s huge pavilion, but several examples of the pick-up are displayed around the Impact Challenger convention center. The first major re-design in nine years, the all-new 2015 Strada is Mitsubishi’s revamped entrant in the ever competitive pick-up segment.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Subaru’s flagship crossover, the all-new 2015 Outback, takes center stage at the brand’s pavilion at the 31st Thailand Motor Expo 2014. It serves as the venue for the regional launch of the said crossover along with the all-new Legacy (which isn’t shown at the show itself). As always, the Outback combines passenger car comfort with the long-distance touring capabilities and load space of a sport utility vehicle. In developing the latest Outback, Subaru delivers class-leading performance, confident all-wheel drive handling, and all-around safety.

Re-invigorating the stagnant Thai automotive industry, Inter-Media Consultant Co., Ltd. has formally opened the doors to the 31st Thailand Motor Expo at the Impact Challenger Convention Center in Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok. The show brings the biggest brands and names together showcasing the capability and readiness of Thailand to maintain its status as ASEAN’s main automotive hub.

Ford Philippines celebrated the re-opening of Ford Tacloban in Leyte a one year after super typhoon Yolanda struck the Eastern Visayas and destroyed the facility.

Ferrari’s Head of Development test-driver, Raffaele De Simone, gives a thrilling taste of the Ferrari California T’s driving prowess on the challenging streets and roads of the Principality of Monaco. He takes his viewers through the new car’s performance as it tackles the Col de Turini mountain pass, one of the toughest stages on the famous Monte Carlo Rally, the legendary Tunnel and, of course, the Monaco Grand Prix’s famous Loews hairpin.

Video is after the break. Happy Sunday!

Following the successful first leg last October 21st, Volkswagen Philippines continues its Eco Fun Run together with its partner, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum.

Marking its 20th year in the country, Volvo Philippines continues to offer its distinct mark of premium ownership experience to its valued patrons and brand enthusiasts. Established in November 1994 with a clear vision to be an esteemed car brand, it has since then reaped a multitude of rewards and accolades, including the coveted Volvo Diamond Award. Given only in its first full year of operation, this recognition is given to outstanding performance in the areas of vehicle sales, parts and service operations, competitive positioning and customer satisfaction.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines surprises the market once more as they uncover their New CR-V at Enderun Tent, McKinley Hill. The event marks HCPI’s 7th newest offering for the Philippine Market, following the Accord, City, Jazz, Brio, Brio Amaze and the Civic.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

For Isuzu, a lot is hinging on the success of the all-new mu-X. The mid-sized 7-seater SUV market is the country’s fastest growing segment and yet, their previous effort, the Alterra, barely made a dent in the market. After lessons were learned, they got back to the drawing board and pretty much re-designed, re-engineered, and even re-named their effort. Fast-forward years later and you have five Isuzu mu-Xs parked in a row in the scenic province of Palawan. The mu-X’s first drive just happens to be a road trip in paradise.