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April 15, 2015

Toyota Vios Cup Heads to Cebu

The number one automotive company in the country brings waku-doki further by bringing the second race of this season’s Toyota Vios Cup to the Queen City of the South, Cebu City! Coming in as the first motorsports festival in the Visayas region, gearheads and car fans in the said area can now witness the waku-doki experience first-hand. Slated on Saturday to Sunday, May 16 - 17, local motorsports will be driven into newer heights with 4 incoming Cebu-based racers now making a total of 44 drivers in the said racing event.

Volvo’s iconic seven-seater SUV is reborn and expected soon on Philippine roads this 2015.

The all-new XC90 is a visually striking, premium quality SUV with world-leading safety features, new Drive-E engines including a top-of-the-line T8 Twin Engine powertrain with close to 400 horsepower and CO2 emissions of around 60 g/km, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish. The car also features beautiful interior and exterior design including an innovative tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Volvo’s history, capturing its future design direction, incorporating its own range of new technologies and utilizing its new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology.

Customers in hot pursuit of a brand new car may have found the deal they are looking for in the “Hot Buys to Upsize” promo from Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the exclusive distributor of Hyundai cars in the Philippines.

Review: 2015 BMW 420d Gran Coupe

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s hard to say what a coupe is anymore. Is it merely a car with two doors? Does it have an arching roofline? Do frameless windows count for anything? Can a hatchback or an SUV be a coupe? At some point in the past few years, nearly everything you thought made a coupe, a coupe has been challenged by something that calls itself a coupe, but to most people isn’t. And BMW has led most of this line of questioning.

MIAS 2015: Chevrolet Adds Off-Road Ready Colorado Tracker, Trailblazer LTZ SE

Chevrolet Philippines launches an off-road ready version of their venerable Colorado dubbed the Colorado Tracker. Equipped solely with a manual transmission, the new Colorado Tracker comes equipped with features that cater directly to people who love the great outdoors.

MIAS 2015: The 2015 Mazda Collection Impresses

Mazda Philippines’s sprawling and intimidating 1,000 square-meter space at the Manila International Auto Show is a strong show of force and for very good reason. Just last year, Mazda achieved a milestone with overall sales almost doubling that of 2013. The end tally shows them selling more than 3,200 units overtaking Subaru in the process. Of course, the giant showcase isn’t just for celebration. They’ve used the occasion to strategically launch 13 all-new or significantly updated new models for 2015. In short, if you’re buying a car that’s not a Mazda, you better hold off that purchase.

UPDATE 1: We have included the brochure at the end (4/13).

BYD is cementing its reputation as the new brand to watch out for as it unveiled the Qin at the Manila International Auto Show. Pronounced as “Chin”, the Qin is named after the first Emperor of China who successfully unified the warring states into the powerhouse everyone knows today. Like its namesake, the BYD Qin is set to defy the conventional and be one of the most advanced vehicles you can buy in the market.

UPDATE 1: We have included the brochure and replaced the rather convoluted spec sheet (4/13).

After much speculation, Columbian Autocar Corporation, Kia’s distributor in the Philippines has unveiled the all-new, third-generation Sorento and Grand Carnival. These two new offerings bolster Kia’s presence in the country while giving the Korean brand a more premium positioning. Both models are new from the top-down and are catered to the discerning taste of the upscale market.

MINI Philippines unleashed two new models for 2015 at the Manila International Auto Show. Headlining the brand’s new-for-the-year offers is a car that will push the convention of what a MINI means: the 5-door model. Dubbed internally as the F55, the new MINI 5-door comes in both Cooper and Cooper S flavors and ups the SRP by P 100,000.

Volkswagen Philippines is highlighting the issue of safety, especially for children at the Manila International Auto Show. Part of VW’s global campaign which already rolled out to various markets worldwide, the VW Child Safety Initiative or CSI aims to increase awareness in the realm of child safety in two ways.

Subaru is giving their flagship models a much needed boost in luxury and comfort with the launch of the all-new 2015 Legacy and Outback. Previewed at the Regional Launch in Thailand last year, the all-new Legacy and Outback now offers refinement in design and performance without sacrificing any aspect of the brand’s core technologies.

Ford is expanding its Philippine SUV offering with the public debut of the much-awaited all-new Everest and the Expedition Platinum at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). It’s joined at the Ford stand by the EcoSport, Escape, and Explorer as well as the Fiesta, Focus, and Mustang.

MIAS 2015: 2 Series Active Tourer Takes Centerstage for BMW

An experience beyond the ordinary awaits families as BMW today announces the public debut of its first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). Through its official importer and distributor in the Philippines, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), BMW will feature the first ever BMW 2 Series Active Tourer from April 9-12 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

American-based Feld Motor Sports has confirmed the six of the Monster Jam competitors that are coming here to the Philippines, for the first time ever! They are ready to showcase their best in the thrilling racing and freestyle competition in three shows running from June 20 to 21 at the MOA (Mall of Asia) Arena.

First Drive: Mazda MX-5 1.5 Skyactiv

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Mazda Press

There are great driver’s cars, but there is only one Mazda MX-5. From its inception in 1989, the MX-5 has baked into every generation, an unmistakable close bond between car and driver. You can sound off a list of cars that come close to offering the same sort of experience, but none can capture the same MX-5 magic. And Mazda knows this very well. Listening to the designers and engineers talk about this fourth-generation ‘ND’ model makes you believe that they’ve poured their heart and soul into it. Indeed, every single person in the project team knows that they had to keep it as close to its founding ethos as possible. It can’t just be a great sports car or a great Mazda. It has to be a great MX-5.

MIAS 2015: Mazda's Display is a Strong Show of Force

Mazda Philippines is pulling out all the stops to bring back the fun in driving and they’re using the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) as their venue. The Japanese brand, best known for ‘zoom-zoom’, ‘KODO’, and of course, ‘Skyactiv’ will have the biggest footprint among exhibitors at the World Trade Center, measuring at 1,000 square-meters. And it won’t just be the case of making things roomy for show goers. Mazda says they will bring in 13 all-new or improved models at the show. Yes, you read that right. Thirteen all-new or improved models for 2015.

Auto Focus People's Choice Awards Poll Opens on April 6

Will the Toyota Vios garner a third “Automobile of the Year” award in the Standard Model category? And, will the Lexus IS350 repeat as “Automobile of the Year” among Luxury models?

BPI Family Auto Loan is sweetening the deal for people who’re thinking of buying a brand-new car at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) from April 9 to 12 at the World Trade Center. Celebrating its fourth year of partnership with the biggest annual motoring event, BPI Family is offering a one-month free amortization for approved auto loans of at least 36 months.

Michelin Philippines Chief Representative Michael Nunag announced that Michelin is the official and exclusive tire supplier of the GT Asia Series the for the Asian Region’s leading GT category from 2015. The full 11-race series will begin in South Korea on May 15.

Already previewing the all-new Trax, Chevrolet Philippines has revealed more of their plans for the upcoming Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) on April 9 to 12 at the World Trade Center. Chevrolet is aiming to ‘broaden’ their market appeal with new versions of the Colorado and Trailblazer.

BMW Philippines Launches 2 Series Active Tourer

BMW is entering into a whole new market segment with the Philippine launch of the first-ever 2 Series Active Tourer. Known as a staunch supporter of the traditional driver’s car layout—rear wheel drive—the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is the German brand’s first front-wheel drive vehicle. As such, it’s aimed more towards a new breed of BMW buyers who’re looking for a practical family car that doesn’t sacrifice spirited performance.

Hyundai Motor Company showed off an interesting new concept at the 2015 Seoul Motor Show: the HND-12 Enduro. The Enduro is a small urban crossover that’s aimed squarely at individuals with energetic and athletic lifestyles. It’s dubbed the “Professional Gear” for those who want to escape an ordinary life.

What’s faster than the La Ferrari to 100 km/h? Try the new Subaru WRX STI-based VT15x. Developed by Vermont Sportscar to compete in the 2015 Red Rull Global Rallycross series, the VT15x has 580 horsepower from its turbocharged flat-4 enabling it to accelerate to 100 km/h in just two seconds flat. That’s faster than the La Ferrari.

BYD Philippines is showing off their newest executive sedan at the Manila International Auto Show that offers an interesting twist: it’s a plug-in hybrid.

Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., the official distributor of Tata automobiles and commercial vehicles in the Philippines just revealed their showcase line-up for the upcoming Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) slated from April 9 to 12 at the World Trade Center. This year, Tata is focusing on business-minded applications.

This is What the All-New 2016 Honda Civic Will Look Like

Honda unveiled the all-new Civic Concept at the New York International Auto Show giving the public its first glimpse of what the highly-anticipated tenth-generation model will look like. After being criticized for being lackluster (even after its extensive re-design), the ninth-generation and current model will be saying goodbye this fall (third to fourth quarter 2015) in favor of a model that focuses on ‘spirited performance and class-leading versatility’.

Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) reacts to GT Academy graduate and NISMO racing driver Jann Mardenborough’s horrific crash at the Nurburgring in Germany which called to question the ability of GT Academy graduates and the future of GT Academy itself.

Subaru’s performance division, Subaru Technica International or better known as STI, is expanding their global reach. At the New York International Auto Show, Subaru has announced that they are replacing the US-based Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) in providing aftermarket parts as well as increased engineering presence in the company’s Global RallyCross Team.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in the Philippines, and its After Sales division recently concluded the 8th Kia National Skills World Cup.
Held last March 19, 2015 at the Kia Pasay Training Center, personnel from Kia dealerships nationwide competed in a test of skill and knowledge in diagnosis, troubleshooting, repair, and customer service that should be attuned to Kia’s global top-notch standards.

Robinsons Rewards Card (RRC) members will enjoy earning more points not only when they shop at their favorite Robinsons stores but also when they fuel up at Caltex. RRC members can now use their points to redeem P1 discount for every one liter fuel purchase at participating Caltex stations nationwide. Every five liter gas up earns a point which means that the more customers fuel up at Caltex and shop at Robinsons, the more points for fuel and shopping savings.

Subaru is offering a special introductory discount for the first 100 units reserved/booked of their all-new 2015 Legacy and Outback plus a free one-year or 10,000-kilometer PMS. The flagship models, which are celebrating their 25th and 20th anniversary respectively, will be shown to the public at the 2015 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) on April 9.

BYD Unveils 5-Star Customer Service Program

Solar Transport Automotive Resources Corp., (STAR Corp.), the exclusive distributor of BYD vehicles in the Philippines, today announced the launch of its 5-STAR Customer Service Program, a comprehensive customer-centric after-sales initiative to continuously deliver the best brand ownership experience to BYD customers.

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