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January 6, 2015

Review: 2015 Honda Brio Amaze 1.3V A/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang
I’ve driven it around Tagaytay Highlands. I’ve driven it around Bicol. You think I’ve said everything I could say about the Honda Brio Amaze, but I was wrong. This time, I bring Honda’s wonder sedan through its toughest test yet: the streets of Manila. This time, there’s no pre-determined route, no performance test, no fuel economy run, no media junket. For one week, it’s just me and the Brio Amaze. Can it transform my perceptions on what an entry-level sedan should be?

January 4, 2015

BOSS IronMan Motorcycle Challenge is On; Flags Off January 23 in Clark


In an effort to advocate safe riding and camaraderie within the motor sports community, the BOSS IronMan Motorcycle Challenge will mark its tenth consecutive staging on January 23, 2015.

Petron Awards Prizes in Fast Prize Promo; Promo Runs Until February 15!


Christmas wishes came true for winners of the Petron Fast Prize promo, who will be enjoying their new cars, motorcycles, and free fuel for a year.

On the very first day of the promo, which runs from November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015, Ferdinand Siobal, a businessman, was feeling lucky when he saw the tarp announcing Petron’s Fast Prize promo, jokingly telling his wife, “Do you see that? What if we take home the Toyota Vios?” Even with his tank still half-full, he decided to stop at the Petron station in Marikina and fueled up his Nissan Navarra with P1,500-worth of Diesel Max. True enough, he got his wish and was the first winner of a major prize in Petron’s ongoing Fast Prize promo.

Tata Davao Officially Opens


Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc. (PTAJ), the exclusive distributor of Tata Motors Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles in the Philippines, continues to grow nationwide through its Tata Davao dealership, inaugurated last December 18, 2014. Already operating since the brand’s launch in the Manila International Auto show earlier this year, the dealership is now fully operational and is graced by the presence of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines L.D. Ralte and, Tata Motors Limited, Mr. R.T. Wasan, Head International Business Commercial Vehicles, and Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc., Chairman and President, Mr. David Coyukiat.

AVID Members Report 18 Percent Sales Increase for First 11 Months of 2014

Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) registered 18% growth for the first 11 months of the year to 32,878 units. In November, AVID saw its sales up by 9% year-on-year to a total of 2,764 units.  The group’s sustained sales pace was driven by the double-digit growth of the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment.

Kia Awards Lucky Drive to Australia Winner


Kia and the Australian Open have partnered for four years now to bring together the worlds of motoring and sports. Every year, Kia Lucky Drive to Australia is staged to give opportunities for Kia test-drive participants to experience world-class tennis action at the Australian Open!

December 28, 2014

Top 5 Picks for 2014


2014 is a renaissance of sorts for the Philippine automotive industry. Record-breaking sales (topping north of 200,000 units), tons of events, and a great number of new entrants—for those covering the industry, it’s been a very busy year. Therefore, picking just the top five cars/vehicles of the year isn’t easy, but it’s something we have been doing for the past three years now (2013, 2012, 2011). As always, we don’t break it down into categories or classifications here. This is pretty straight to the point. No bull crap here. There are only two rules to be considered for CarGuide.PH’s Top 5 Picks: first, we should have driven it; second, it must be mainstream (no cars above PHP 4-million).

Now that we’ve put everything in order, let’s get on with CarGuide.PH’s Top 5 Picks of 2014. The list begins, in preferential order, after the break.

December 24, 2014

Hyundai Sales Increase 9 Percent January to November 2014


Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) continued to post positive growth as sales hit a total of 21,405 units in January to November this year, 9% higher as compared with the same period last year. In November, total units sold were 1,730, up by 1% year-on-year.

Volvo Philippines Shares Gifts with Chosen Children


Volvo Philippines gives back as it shares its blessings to the Chosen Children Village Foundation, Inc. (CCVFI). In celebration of its 20th year in the country, Volvo continues its dedication to care for people when it teamed up with the Scandinavian Society of the Philippines (SSP) in a recent visit to the Chosen Children Village. Ferried by the dynamic line of Volvo cars, sponsors and donors trooped to Silang, Cavite and enjoyed a day with these special children, bringing with them love, care and financial aid to further the rehabilitation and continued development of children in this home.

December 19, 2014

Hyundai Philippines Launches 2015 Sonata (w/ Brochure)


Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines, used its festive Christmas Party to unveil the all-new seventh generation Sonata executive sedan to the media, dealers, and VIP guests. The all-new Sonata builds on the global success of its most immediate predecessor and is poised to set new standards in luxury, quality, and refinement. The all-new Sonata is built with four innovations in mind: Run, Stop, Versatility, Protect (RSVP) and the entire car is built to encapsulate those four elements.

December 16, 2014

Review: 2014 Tata Manza Aura Quadrajet Diesel

Photos by Ulysses Ang
Whenever you step out of the Tata Manza, it’s inevitable to be the butt of Indian jokes. A couple of times, I was quizzed whether it was curry-powered or at least ask me how it drives with whatever passes for an Indian accent. Clearly, it’s all part of the birthing pains for Tata, being the pioneering Indian car brand in the country. You don’t have to look far to see that a car buyer’s bias is still there: some will say Korean cars are as delectable on the palette as kimchee or that all Chinese cars are built by people named Cheech or Chong. As a car guy, I can’t have that bias. I’ve got to respect cars based on individual merit and strength. So when the Tata Manza Aura arrived at my doorstep, I won’t care where it’s from. I only mind its design and engineering. And you know what? It’s actually a respectable little car.

McLaren-Honda Prepares for 2015; Announces All-Star Driver Line-Up


McLaren-Honda is delighted to announce its new driver line-up for 2015: Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. Kevin Magnussen will remain an important part of the team, as test and reserve driver.

BYD F0 is Official Car of "Challenge of Champions"


The BYD F0 served as the “spec car” during the recent Challenge of Champions (COC) race-off, organized by Flat Out Race Series Inc. (FORS) headed by Edward dela Rosa, which was held on December 6 at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas.

Honda Cars Makati Extends Reign as Customer Service Champions


Representatives from Honda Cars Makati, Inc. (HCMI) commanded a strong, solid finish as they, time and again, dominated the 13th National Customer Service Skills Competition (formerly National Technicians’ Contest or NTC) organized by Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI).

December 14, 2014

Ford Philippines Previews All-New 2015 Mustang with Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Model


In celebration of the iconic Mustang’s 50th anniversary as well as to whet the appetite of Filipino car enthusiasts, Ford Philippines showed off the 50 Years Limited Edition All-New Ford Mustang. Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang, the 50 Years Limited Edition model carries unique features and specially-designed elements on both the exterior and interior.

Volkswagen Philippines Now Offers Leasing Program


Volkswagen offers you the freedom to afford one of life’s luxuries by giving you more options to choose from. Introducing Volkswagen Auto Leasing – for people who want to experience easy ownership plan and a one-stop shop offering exceptional amenities and customer services.

Uber Manila Partners with LBC to Send Your Christmas Gifts

The magical holiday season is in full swing and it’s the time of the year when you want to maximize face time with your family and loved ones. As we scramble to choose the nicest gifts to give, the idea of delivering these presents through the grindingly slow Metro Manila traffic is the least exciting part of it.

Maserati Centennial Gathering Wins International Historic Motoring 'Tour of the Year' Award (IHMA)


Luxury Italian automotive manufacturer, Maserati, was honored with the prestigious Tour of the Year Award at the 2014 International Historic Motoring Awards (IHMA) at a ceremony in London last week. The iconic Italian marque won the prize for its Centennial Gathering, a three-day tour which took place in Italy from the 18th to 20th September.

Titan Motorwerks Brings XPEL and Durashield Paint Protection Films to the Philippines


There are two types of car owners in this world when it comes to caring for their vehicles. The proactive and the reactive owners.  Proactive owners are the people who even before they buy their respective cars have already decided where to get it fix before something breaks. Reactive owners, on the other hand, never maximize the potential of their vehicles because they postpone routine maintenance until it’s absolutely necessary.

Petron Powers AAP Caravan


Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4 was the official fuel of the Quezon Drive Tour Caravan held last November 29-30, 2014, and organized by AAP Travel, a fully-owned subsidiary of Automobile Association Philippines (AAP).

December 7, 2014

Ford Philippines Bags 15 Awards; Ranger Wildtrak Hailed as Philippine 2014-2015 Truck of the Year


Ford Philippines ended November on a victorious note as it received a total of 13 awards from the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI) and the Auto Focus People’s and Media’s Choice Awards.