CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

March 10, 2016

Toyota Vios Cup Season 3 Kicks Off this March 19

Forty-five individual teams and nine celebrity racers will troop to the Clark International Speedway on March 19 as the country’s biggest motorsports event kicks off for Season 3. Fueled by the best-selling vehicle in the country, the 2016 Vios Cup promises more wheel-to-wheel action. Apart from the growing number of racers, this season sees an all-new racing category and possible new venues.

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), the official distributor of Foton vehicles on the Philippines has officially added Foton Quezon Avenue to its list of dealerships in the Philippines.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) kicks off the month with Honda’s EGGciting Surprise Campaign for customers who will inquire, reserve, and purchase a brand new Honda vehicle from now to March 27, 2016.

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 newest Tata Cebu dealership, inaugurated this March 9, 2016 and graced by the presence of the honorable Gov. Hilario Davide III and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Graduation season is fast approaching and Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, got the perfect reward for your new graduates!

From now to April 30, 2016, all Kia Picanto buyers get a chance to win and drive home an all-new Kia Forte Koup through the Kia Pic a Forte raffle promo.

Review: 2016 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 TDI

Die-hard Porsche fans must have screamed in horror when the Cayenne first launched in 2002. But over the years, it has become accepted, turning into one of the brand’s best-selling models and unashamedly the reason why Porsche could make even better 911’s. Some 13 years and a model generation later, Porsche has tweaked and polished the formula delivering the same technical tour-de-force you’ve come to expect out of Stuttgart’s stable. And just as fans have warmed up to it, Porsche plops in a diesel; a diesel-powered Porsche SUV? Sacrilegious? Hardly.

Subaru Shows Off All-New Vehicle Platform

Forget their outlandish concepts of late, this is single-handedly the most important piece of Subaru’s future: the Subaru Global Platform. Currently under development, this all-new vehicle architecture will underpin all of Subaru’s next-generation vehicles.

The country’s premier grassroots motorsports event that’s “made for racers, by racers” - the GT Radial FlatOut Race Series (FORS) – is all geared up for an even bigger season this year.

Mazda Opens Dealership in Pulilan, Bulacan

Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, and the ANC Group of Companies, have collaborated to put up a brand new full-service showroom, service and parts facility in Pulilan, Bulacan. Mazda Pulilan is the latest addition to Mazda Philippines’ growing dealership network. Located along DRT Highway, Sto. Cristo, Pulilan, Bulacan, the 123-square meter showroom facility features four of the latest Mazda Skyactiv models available today.

Volvo Philippines once again offers the market a selection of dynamic variants to choose from. Sporty and sophisticated, the R-Design editions of the nimble V40 Sportswagon, the Sleek S60 and the awe-inspiring XC60 are now available in Volvo showrooms nationwide.

China’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, continues to assume an upward trajectory in the Philippines – capitalizing on the country’s increasingly robust economy to achieve its goal of breaching 20,000 in sales by 2020. Last year, Foton Philippines sold 25 percent more vehicles, moving nearly 4,000 units.

BMW has officially launched the newest generation of its flagship model, the 7 Series, in the Philippine market, securing the German luxury carmaker’s reputation as the leader in ground-breaking features and contemporary design. Driven by cutting-edge technology, the all-new 7 Series is available solely in the 740Li guise with the 750Li available upon order.

First Drive: 2016 Toyota Fortuner 2.4 V and 2.4 G 4x2

There are people who’re blindly loyal to the Toyota Fortuner and there are those who’ll end up buying one anyway. Such is the power of Toyota’s Pickup-based Passenger Vehicle or PPV since its market introduction in 2005. It has revolutionized the industry, offering an American-style 7-seater mid-sized SUV for the price of a compact crossover. And though some of its competitors offered a good fight, the Fortuner remained the top choice whether or not it was considered matagtag (stiff riding) or not. Now that a second generation model is upon is, is the 2016 Fortuner all that you wanted? More importantly, is it still matagtag?

Car enthusiasts dream of driving the most iconic cars in their lifetime, but car innovators dream of designing and building cars that will be remembered for several lifetimes; cars that are energy-efficient and environment-friendly, and cars that make a difference. To pave the way for these breakthroughs, Hyundai is sharing the stage with Shell anew through the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2016.

Porsche Philippines Unveils New 911 Carrera and Carrera S

Porsche Philippines unveiled the latest chapter in the 911 history: the new 991.2. Promising to combine performance and everyday usability to new heights, the new Carrera and Carrera S packs a turbocharged flat-6 reminiscent of the brand’s storied racing history making it the fastest 911 Carrera ever.

Subaru announced that total production of its All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles has reached 15 million units. The milestone was achieved in the 44th year since FHI started producing AWD vehicles with the introduction of the Subaru Leone 4WD Estate Van in September 1972.

Love is definitely all around for Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) as they have recently given away four D-MAX pick-up trucks and mu-X SUVs for their “Isuzu Drive Me Home Raffle Promo”.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, has announced that the current Phantom will enter the last stages of its celebrated production in 2016. This announcement follows the recent news that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has begun testing its all-new aluminium architecture, which will underpin every future Rolls-Royce arriving in-market from early 2018.

Ford Philippines recently announced their renewed year-long partnership with the Ford Forza Triathlon team during the Ford Forza 2016 Refuel, an event celebrating the team’s accomplishments in 2015 and introducing new members adding to the diverse roster of talented athletes at B Hotel in Quezon City.

Philippine Car Price Guide: February-March 2016

Obviously, this update is a tad late for February. Of course, there’s good reason for it: we had to wait for Toyota to drop the Innova bombshell. Aside from the MPV everyone seems to love, here are the other updates for this month’s Philippine Car Price Guide.

Aston Martin – NEW ENTRY
BYD – Price Update
Ford Explorer – NEW ENTRY
Honda Pilot – NEW ENTRY
Hyundai Elantra – NEW ENTRY
Kia Grand Carnival (11-Seater) – NEW ENTRY
Mahindra – NEW ENTRY
Mazda2 1.5 S – NEW ENTRY
Mazda3 – Price Update
Toyota Innova – NEW ENTRY

Suzuki Opens Two New Dealerships in Cebu

It is another promising year for Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) as the only integrated automobile and motorcycle company in the country adds two branches to its long roster of newly-opened dealerships: the Suzuki Auto South Cebu, and the SM Seaside City Satellite, both in Cebu City. Last year’s rapid expansion of the automobile brand saw more than 10 new dealership launches, which the company hopes to top this 2016.

Caltex Fuel Your School (FYS), a collaborative program wherein senior-ready public schools, motorists and Caltex retailers, work together to provide quality classroom project materials in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects, is feted as the grand prize winner in the “Improving Quality and Access to Education” category in the recent AmCham CSR Excellence Awards. It is estimated that at least 600 public school teachers and 102,000 public high school students will benefit from the FYS donation.

As Volkswagen Quezon Avenue celebrates its first anniversary, the dealership that caters to northern Metro Manila customers offers financing promos for select Volkswagen vehicles for a limited period.

Foton Motor Philippines, has further widened its commitment to the development of Filipino athletes by supporting the San Sebastian College Athletics program.

Frankly, it’s hard to classify what the Subaru Levorg is. Subaru calls it a compact sports tourer which is marketing speak for: We can’t decide if it’s a compact car, a sports sedan, or a wagon, so we’ll just blend it all together. And true enough, the recipe of the Levorg is largely that: a front-end shared with the WRX, a dashboard similar to that of an XV, and the trunk space comparable to that of a Forester. And while this amalgam of Legacy + Revolution + Touring sounds as disastrous as “Aldub”, the resulting car is actually quite good. It’s excellent. It’s a gamble that’s paid off handsomely for Subaru.

2016 Toyota Fortuner: The Complete Philippine Specs

Ask and you shall receive.

You’ve already read our first impressions on the all-new Toyota Innova. Now, it’s time to sit down and take a closer look at this new IMV addition. On this page, you can get all the specs, details, and much more. We’ll save you the hassle of having to click through different pages and/or links.

SPMJ Award to Boost Community Projects

The significant gains quietly established by the corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of the automotive companies will be given the recognition they deserve soon to encourage more efforts to help communities around the country.

The Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) has taken this task as its new advocacy to strengthen community service in the motoring industry. Unknown to many, automotive companies have engaged in various CSR projects that after years of quiet work, have established many success stories in the communities. The projects have revolved around the preservation of the environment, education and training, and community development.

Ford Motor Company today announced that the all-new Everest SUV earned a maximum 5-star safety rating from the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), achieving the highest score for Adult Occupant Protection in its segment at 15.38/16 points. The Everest also received 4-star rating in its Child Occupant Protection (COP) with 81 percent compliance.

For years, Kia has brought its signature Family-like Care service closer to people via its nationwide service caravans. This year, Kia is once again at the forefront of providing service and fun, rolled into one, for its loyal customers.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) calls for a voluntary preventive measure campaign for select Jazz (2012-2013), City (2012-2014) and CR-V (2011) sold in the country due to a suspected defect in the driver’s airbag inflator.

First Drive: 2016 Toyota Innova 2.8 G

Toyota is serious about their Innovative Multipurpose Vehicle or IMV that a team of its senior engineers circled the globe and listened to customers, including those from the Philippines, to find out what their vehicles go through. Armed with this knowledge, the result is the much-improved second-generation IMV capping off with the most-awaited iteration of them all: the all-new 2016 Innova.

Volvo is Going Beyond the Numbers

In terms of pure numbers, 2015 wasn’t such a rosy year for Scandinavian Motors Corporation (Volvo Philippines). Though the Philippine automotive market grew substantially last year, the premium car brand saw a single-digit percentage drop in sales attributed to the company’s non-participation in sales discount bonanzas known as “APEC”. And yet, there’s no pressure from the regional office to deliver four-digit unit sales annually. Instead, it’s all about delivering an immeasurable customer experience that cannot be matched by the competition.

Honda Cars Philippines Officially Launches All-New 2016 Pilot (w/ Specs)

Just a year after its launch in the North American market, Honda Cars Philippines welcomes the arrival of its first-class SUV: the Pilot back to the Philippines. After some teasing, it arrives and befitting its name, the 8-seater Pilot returns packed with more horses under the hood, more convenience features, more tech, and a substantially raised price tag as well.

Leading car manufacturer Chevrolet recently named the newest ambassadors to proudly carry the company’s signature bowtie brand.

With the company going full throttle, the brand focuses on the family oriented nature of its automotive line by choosing celebrity father and son Zoren Leagspi and Maverick Legaspi to be the new faces of Chevrolet.

Through a joint project of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 3,000 units of electric motor powered tricycles or e-Trikes are set to be produced and deployed within the year by Bemac Electric Transportation Philippines, Incorporated - a subsidiary of Uzushio Electric Co. of Japan.

The Passat has been around since 1973 and is one of Volkswagen’s oldest active product lines. The current one actually marks the eighth-generation model and apart from its lineage, is the most beautiful and most advanced one ever made. It’s so well-made that former Volkswagen Chairman of the Board Martin Winterkorn said, “It is a premium car without the premium price.” Indeed, VW is pitting the Passat not against the Camrys and Accords of this world, but instead against the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. This move may seem mad, but there’s reason for VW’s confidence.

Foton Opens Assembly Plant in Philippines

Three years after its groundbreaking ceremony, FOTON Philippines officially commenced its assembly plant located in the Clark Freeport Zone.

Video: Nissan Makes Self-Parking Chairs

Nissan is showing off its self-parking technology in the most unique way possible: the Intelligent Parking Chair. It will undoubtedly make those office meetings that bit more interesting to see chairs whiz and return to their desks automatically.

UPDATE 1: Maserati reveals more details on the Levante at the Geneva Auto Show (3/2).

Maserati finally shows off the brand’s first-ever SUV with the Levante. The Levante will be key in tapping new markets and increasing sales for the Italian brand. It joins Maserati’s existing range of sedans and sports cars: the Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio models.

Ford Philippinesconfirmed that its momentum has continued into the new year, reporting its best-ever January performance with retail sales jumping 50 percent year-over-year to 2,459 units.

“It’s a fantastic start to 2016, and we’re extremely proud of how the Ford brand continues to connect with our fast-growing base of Filipino customers,” said Lance Mosley, managing director, Ford Philippines.

In its bid to protect clients from buying defective vehicles, Carmudi Philippines has recently forged partnership with Rapide Auto Service Experts.

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines has expressed optimism that the Philippine electric vehicle industry stands to gain from the recent rise in Japanese investments in the country.

Chevrolet Celebrates the Everyday Hero with Low Down or Discounts on Trailblazer

Real life heroes walk among us. They are clad in their everyday uniform, fulfilling their daily tasks – saving lives, rendering services, building homes, among others – to realize their dreams for themselves and their families. Their valor is celebrated in the simplest of things: a warm embrace for the devoted parents to a thank you message for the hardworking Overseas Filipino Workers.

Market leader Petron Corporation offers motorists another exciting reward for the best day ever with a new set of Limited Edition Collectibles. Created exclusively for Petron, the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Gadget Collection consists of four character gadgets, namely:

Review: 2016 Volvo XC60 D4 Polestar

Volvo is putting all the attention squarely on the all-new XC90 and rightfully so because it’s a beautifully designed, intricately detailed SUV that’s serving as the company’s bellwether ushering a new era for the premium Swedish carmaker. But sitting just outside the limelight is the XC60, a compact crossover that’s been a success story for the brand considering it’s been released in the market six years ago. With the 2016 model, it’s clear Volvo isn’t ready to put this one out to the pasture just yet. With understated luxury and the most convincing drivetrain yet, the 2016 XC60 D4 might just be the second reason why people should seriously consider a Volvo.

HARI Appointed as Hyundai Commercial Vehicle Distributor

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) is celebrating a milestone befitting its fifteenth anniversary in the Philippines: the official appointment as the distributor of Hyundai commercial vehicles in the country. The agreement, formalized this week, is a milestone venture for HARI after growing the market for Hyundai passenger cars. HARI sees the appointment as a visible sign of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC)’s support to HARI after it made Hyundai one of the most sought-after car brands in the Philippines.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. has just announced that its authorized dealers across the country are now accepting reservations for the all-new 2016 Civic which will launch very soon. After being shown as a teaser on its Facebook page, HCPI is now revealing more details about their compact car challenger including the powertrain that it will be using.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

When Ford announced their “One Ford” global strategy, some pundits denounced that it wasn’t going to work. They thought: how can you build a single vehicle and expect it to be successful in almost every market it competes in? These critics clearly have a myopic view since they’ve set their goals far too low. They’re convinced that for as long as you’ve nailed a particular country’s market requirements, it’s okay to compromise.

Toyota Motor Philippines Reveals More Fortuner Tidbits

Toyota Motor Philippines gave a sneak peek of its all-new 2016 Fortuner at its annual media thanksgiving party last January. And now, they’ve revealed even more tidbits including one, interestingly enough, that has to do where the Philippines will source Toyota’s PPV or Pickup-based Passenger Vehicle.

Ferrari is shifting its naming terminology as it bids goodbye to the FF. In its place is the GTC4Lusso, a car that will make its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show. More than just a simple swap of the badge, the GTC4Lusso introduces new technology to make this stunning V12-powered four-seater the definitive grand tourer on the planet.

After being thoroughly impressed by the 2016 Ford Explorer Sport (read our review here), Ford Philippines has announced the availability of a new variant that slots below the Sport: the Explorer 2.3 Limited.

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