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February 18, 2017

Save As Much As P 200,000 When You Buy the Subaru XV

Motor Image Pilipinas says now is the best time to drive home a Subaru XV. The exclusive distributor of Subaru in the country is offering the best-selling compact crossover for as much as P 200,000 off with their “Drive and Save” promo.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the Philippines’ official distributor of Hyundai vehicles, in partnership with the Areza Group, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hyundai Trucks & Buses dealership. Hyundai Trucks & Buses Calamba is expected to be open for business by June 2017.

The LTO's Problems Will Affect Your Car Buying Experience

UPDATE 3: No OR/CR, No Travel Policy here back. Read it here (3/8).

UPDATE 2: The LTO has suspended the No OR/CR, No Travel Policy. Read it here. (2/23).

UPDATE 1: Read our FAQ here (2/19).

Plate or no plate, standardized temporary plate or not, the Land Transportation Office or LTO is planning to implement the penalties prescribed in Republic Act 4136 otherwise known as the Traffic Code of the Philippines, particularly the fine for operating an unregistered vehicle. And while everything seems rosy if you talk to the LTO itself, the situation on the street is very different. In fact, there’s a very big problem. And it will affect your car buying experience; perhaps even more than the impending excise tax increase.

Kia’s cutesy super mini is getting an extensive update this 2017 (for the 2018 model year) featuring a bolder exterior design and modern cabin. The all-new Kia Picanto, which officially bows in at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, will go on sale in Europe starting mid this year with other markets to follow shortly.

Volkswagen Philippines, the Number One European car brand in the country, will be among the key participants in the “Mabuhay Germany 2017” trade, culture, and lifestyle event happening at Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig City on February 18 and 19.

Hyundai just showed off the all-new Accent at the Canadian International Auto Show. Since its launch in 1994, the car has steadily gained popularity and built a firm foundation for the fifth-generation model.

Toyota Global Hybrid Sales Surpass 10 Million Units

Toyota Motor Corporation is proud to announce cumulative global hybrid vehicle (HV) sales of 10.05 million units as of January 31, surpassing the 10 million unit mark. More than a numerical milestone, this demonstrates the staying power of a technology that is now emerging as a mainstream solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

Consumers’ appetite for vehicles with greater fuel efficiency and performance has led Ford to invest in a new aerodynamic testing complex that will house a next-generation rolling road wind tunnel and state-of-the-art climatic chamber. The new facility will come complete with testing advancements that better match the technological development of Ford products – both production vehicles and racing vehicles.

After being crowned as the country’s best-selling European car brand, Volkswagen Philippines remains bullish this year. Mr. Klaus Schadewald, Chief Operating Adviser of Volkswagen Philippines revealed that the company is confident in doubling their 2016 sales. This brings the German brand past the 2,000-unit mark this year.

Volkswagen Philippines, the best-selling European car brand in the country, held an appreciation night on February 15 for members of the local media at the Atrium of the Enderun Colleges, McKinley Hill in Taguig.

LTO Mandates Uniform Temporary Plates

UPDATE 6: LTO postpones uniform temporary plates, but No OR/CR, No Travel is back. Read it here. (3/8).

UPDATE 5: LTO suspends No OR/CR, No Travel Policy. Read it here. (2/23).

UPDATE 4: Read our FAQ here (2/19).

UPDATE 3: LTO is now implementing a No OR/CR, No Travel policy as prescribed by law (2/18).

UPDATE 2: Oh, now there are fines involved (2/16).

UPDATE 1: We have updated the article with new information (2/15).

It seems that the Land Transportation Office or LTO is raising the white flag when it comes to the issuance of vehicle license plates; you know, the metallic kind? Stating the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code” of the Philippines, the LTO is issuing new and very specific guidelines covering the use of conduction stickers in lieu of license plates effective today, February 15, 2017.

Reports of the Mitsubishi Lancer’s demise are greatly exaggerated, but only if you live in China or Taiwan. China Motors Corporation (CMC), a Taiwan-based automaker has been cranking out market-specific designs of Mitsubishi models for quite some time. The company, which is partly owned by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, has them tweaking the three-diamond’s long-serving compact sedan that’s been re-christened, Grand Lancer.

Two of the country’s leading transport and logistics specialists have linked together in their common goal of addressing the domestic economy’s mobility requirements.

Mitsubishi Confirms Return of Eclipse as a Crossover

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is confirming that the Eclipse name is returning; only this time, it’ll be on a crossover. As previously reported, the Eclipse name will be used on a new compact crossover. The Eclipse Cross will make its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Since 2012, Volvo Philippines has recognized upstanding individuals through the Volvo Ironmark Award. Given to a very select few, including Manny Pacquiao on its first year, this discerning accolade recognizes the achievements and notable contributions of an individual in his or her field. In addition, that individual’s success in overcoming both personal or professional endeavors are also given due credit especially if he or she has set such high standards, provided industry benchmarks or pushed the envelope in innovative ideas and programs.

Thanks to the continued trend towards downsized engines, carmakers are now adopting technologies once reserved for performance-oriented cars. One such technology is turbocharging. By forcing more air into the combustion chamber using an exhaust gas-driven turbine, the engine is made to produce more power despite a smaller displacement. Even the “every man’s car”, the compact car class is now home to three choices using turbocharged engines. The best seller among them is the all-new Civic RS.

PIAA Helps Toyota Return Back to Winning Ways in WRC

Toyota returned to the winner’s circle in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time since Rally China in 1999. After finishing second in the opening Monte Carlo Rally last January, the Yaris WRC scored its first win at the Rally Sweden with Jari-Matti Latvala in the driver’s seat.

Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc. (PTAJ), the exclusive distributor of Tata Motors in the Philippines officially opened Tata Motors Tarlac last January 27, 2017.

Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, has cemented its position amongst the leaders of automotive safety innovation with its new S90 sedan and V90 wagon by being the first car maker to score a full six points in the Autonomous Emergency Braking for Pedestrians (AEB Pedestrian) test procedure and an overall 5-star rating for both cars.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. recently awarded the winners of “It’s The Most Wonderful Deal of the Year” campaign at Honda Cars Kalookan (HCKI) last February 3, 2017.

Ford Philippines Sales Continue to Rise in January 2017

Ford Philippines announced that January retail sales rose 2.5 percent year-over-year to 2,519 vehicles, led by continued strong demand for its EcoSport, Everest, and Ranger nameplates.

After all those “hugot” videos from fast food giant Jollibee, it’s time to spread some positive love vibes this Valentine’s Day. Luckily for us, Volkswagen Philippines is doing just that with the “Be My Love Bug” Valentine’s campaign. Oh, and it’s the perfect way to introduce the new company tagline: “It’s More Than Just a Car.” Enjoy the video after the break.

5 Common Refueling Myths Debunked

Refueling your car is an often misunderstood act and it can be quite confusing to uninitiated car owners. Most won’t even care what goes on after the nozzle goes into the tank for as long as the fuel needle reads “full” after a couple of minutes. This carefree attitude towards pumping gas has led to the spread of refueling myths, some of which have spread again and again.

Porsche successfully achieved another record year with deliveries of 5,589 cars in the Asia Pacific region. Once again, Porsche Asia Pacific exceeded its 2015 record. Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia continue to be the key drivers of growth in the region while Thailand and the Philippines show significant positive development.

The ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) announced that the full squad of four Ford GTs will compete at the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours, one year on from the marque’s triumphant return to the endurance race that everyone wants to win.

Land Rover Makes Original Range Rover Available Once More

Land Rover is now offering a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to purchase an original and highly collectible Range Rover expertly sourced and comprehensively restored by Land Rover Classic in the United Kingdom. The first example, a three-door Range Rover Classic will make its debut in Paris at the Salon Rétromobile 2017.

Who says vans aren’t badass? Well, Nissan seems to prove everyone wrong with the one-of-a-kind Nissan NV Cargo X which is the most extreme version of Nissan’s commercial vehicle flagship in the US, the NV Cargo van. It stands over 2.2 meters tall on 37-inch tires and is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 Cummins turbo diesel engine transplanted from the Nissan Titan XD full-sized pickup truck.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile unit in the Philippines, wants everyone to find their “perfect match” this 2017. All customers who will inquire, test drive, reserve, or purchase a brand new Honda vehicle from February 1 to February 28, 2017 is entitled to a discount voucher of up to P 100,000 (except for the BR-V).

The key to a sustainable corporate social investment lies in identifying one’s sense of purpose and, from there, grow one’s work to benefit both business and society. This was the key message of HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI) President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo at the Plenary Session of the 4TH Global Social Business Summit of Gawad Kalinga (GK), held at the Hyundai Center for Green Innovation (HCGI) at the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan. Summit theme was “Social Market: Disruption for Shared Prosperity Now.” The HFI president addressed some 700 participants from 20 countries.

Honda Opens 36th Dealership in Angeles, Pampanga

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. opens its 36th dealership in Angeles-Clark area. Honda Cars Angeles-Clark (HCAC) is located in Manuel A. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles-Clark, Pampanga.

The demise of the full-sized SUV is premature as Ford takes the wraps off the all-new, fourth-generation Expedition. The super-sized Expedition, like all other Fords, is touted to be the “smartest, most capable, and most adaptable ever.”

The French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, and the Sea and the Agency for the Environment and Energy Control have awarded Michelin the Circular Economy Grand Prize, “fighting against climate change” special Mention, for the eco-design and retreading process of its Truck tires as well as for its Michelin Solutions offers.

Jump Start 2017 with Deals from Ford Philippines

Search for fortunate deals from Ford Philippines’ financing offers and cash promotions for select Ford vehicles -Everest, Ranger, EcoSport, Fiesta and Focus valid until February 28 at Ford dealerships nationwide.

It looks like the all-new CX-5 is poised to be a big hit for Mazda. In its home country of Japan, reservations have spiked to 9,055 units since order books opened last December. And with customer deliveries starting only five days ago, the Hiroshima-based carmaker is expected to move around 2,400 of them monthly.

They say, you’re not supposed to meet your heroes. There’s a danger that once you see them up close, they won’t seem as perfect eye-to-eye as opposed to being perched on their towering pedestal. That’s the dilemma with the Ford Everest. After a drive in Thailand, I’ve yet to try it on Manila roads. In the two years that passed, fate played itself cruelly as cancellations, re-schedules, and even a minor hiccup meant no seat time. As 2017 rolled in, so did a minor refresh. This is the Everest featured here. While its blemishes don’t make it so god-like anymore, from where I stand, it still remains the mid-sized SUV’s hero car.

Foilacar Industries Offers New Sprayable Vinyl Wrap

Foilacar Industries, the company that innovated “wrapping” or “foiling” as a means of paint protection and preservation is launching a new product line that can be sprayed on just like paint. Called FoilaDip, this latest product line is a sprayable vinyl wrap that leaves a rubberized coating which can be peeled off without damaging the original material underneath.

Subaru’s executive sedan, the Legacy, is getting a nip and tuck just in time for the 2018 model year. Featuring revised styling and improvements to comfort, safety, and infotainment, the Legacy is said to offer an enhanced overall driving experience. Though the Philippines will have to wait until the First Quarter of 2018 to get this new Legacy, it will be arriving in US showrooms by around the middle this year.

Win a Honda BR-V in Jollibee's "Scratch 2 Win a Honda BR-V" Promo

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), shares the joy of winning an All-New BR-V 7-seater SUV to Jollibee Drive-Thru customers with “Scratch 2 Win a Honda BR-V” campaign, which will run from February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017.

After growing by 6.6 percent in 2016, the World Bank projects the Philippine economy to consistently grow at an average of 6 percent over the next few years up to 2019. This makes the Philippines the fastest growing economy in Asia. It is now leaving its neighbors in the dust after languishing at the bottom for decades.

Caltex Opens New Site in Nueva Vizcaya

Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, recently inaugurated its newest Caltex service station at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal – Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (NVAT-APTC) located along AH26, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., the regional headquarters of Honda in the Asia & Oceania (A&O) region, announced that Honda achieved its highest records for automobile sales in 2016 in the ASEAN region (Southeast Asia). Actual retail sales reached 431,832 units, a 7 percent increase over the 2015 sales volume of 405,158 units.

Whether it is a quick escape to the renowned mountains of Baguio, a surfing adventure in La Union, a long drive to the historic Fort Ilocandia, or a mere stopover in Tagaytay, you will find a great road companion with Suzuki vehicles.

Petron Launches Lubricant Line for Extreme Conditions

It’s not just drivers that suffer because of Manila’s constant traffic; vehicles go through a lot of stress as well. Stop-and-go traffic coupled with extreme heat can cause premature wear-and-tear on your car’s vital components. The country’s largest oil refining and marketing company, Petron, wants to put a stop of that with the launch of their newest line of fluids and lubricants.

As this most significant motor car prepares to gracefully leave the stage, it is fitting that the final Phantom VII, a beautifully appointed extended wheelbase limousine, has been created to celebrate the golden age of travel that Phantom defined.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Registers 10th Consecutive Year of Growth

Capping off 2016 with yet another record-breaking sales of 61,400 units, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) posted 13.5 percent growth in sales performance compared to its 54,087 units in 2015. This volume is the highest annual volume MMPC has ever attained. With this volume, MMPC was able to achieve its 10th consecutive year of annual sales growth. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) & Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported to have sold a total volume of 359,572 units in 2016, indicating a 24.6 percent growth from 2015. MMPC captured 17.1 percent market share of CAMPI and TMA’s total volume, securing the brand’s number 2 position in the local automotive industry.

Mazda2 Premium Series ambassador Gino M. Santos made a short film, entitled “Away” putting to screen his emotions about the zoom-zoom brand and how the right frame of mind can whisk us away from all the negativity. The 25-year old television and film director and producer has worked on many projects, but this is his first short film since his college days.

Hyundai Celebrates Valentine's With "MWAH" (Madly Wanting A Hyundai) Promo

Longing for a loyal and reliable companion? For the entire month of love, you can have your Hyundai romance with the MWAH (Madly Wanting a Hyundai) promo which offers low down deals on the hottest Hyundai cars.

Mercedes-Benz is shifting towards a more youthful market through its A180 Urban. The car is bringing a newfound flair of an order that can be rarely seen in a single generational change. At P 1,790,000 (or as low as P 17,900 monthly), it brings a sense of a well-priced premium vehicle given its curb appeal and cozy interior ambiance.

Most Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have worked abroad for a long stretch want to go straight home from the airport. This was not the case for 40-year-old Renante Bendaña, a Sales Support Engineer with a steel construction company in Jeddah.

Within just three years of operations, Volkswagen Philippines broke through the 1,000-unit sales mark, registering 1,060 units sold from January to December 2016. This is a 76-percent increase over its 2015 sales, and making it the Philippines' number one European car brand in 2016.

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