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January 17, 2018

Did the LTFRB Ban Hatchback Vehicles for TNVSes Overnight?


The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB greeted 2018 with a shocker to Transport Network Companies or TNCs: hatchbacks with a displacement below 1,200-ccs or 1.2-liters (round-ups are okay, according to this report) aren’t allowed anymore as Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) vehicles. Given the LTFRB’s rather unpopular reputation of late, social media lashed out immediately on LTFRB board member and de facto punching bag Atty. Aileen Lizada on the government’s archaic or in their LTO own words, primordial standards. But is there a reason for all this uproar or is the LTFRB simply following the law?

January 16, 2018

2019 Hyundai Veloster is Looking Like a Proper Hot Hatch (w/ 25 Photos)


Rumors of the Hyundai Veloster’s demise is greatly exaggerated since the Korean carmaker chose the typically SUV-centric US market to unveil the all-new, second-generation Veloster. Designed collaboratively between Hyundai’s design center in South Korea and the US, the Veloster retains its unique two-plus-one asymmetric body style along with a slew of drivetrain and chassis improvements to up its sportiness.

Review: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado 4x4 LTZ


With the new vehicle excise tax in place, pickup trucks may well be the new “people’s car.” It’s the latest in a series of transformations that’s seen it morph from no-nonsense workhorses to lifestyle playthings. And amidst the usual choices filled with Hilux, Rangers, and D-Max, there’s one that’s worthy of a closer look: the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado.

Volvo XC60 is Europe's Safest Car for 2017


The Volvo XC60 has been crowned the best-performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.

Mazda Philippines's Annual Service Skills Competition Aims to Lift Dealer Experience


Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, recently conducted the 4th Maztech Philippines Customer Service Skills Competition last December. The annual skills competition is designed to promote camaraderie and showcase the talents, knowledge, and attitude of various aftersales personnel in the Mazda Philippines dealership network towards the Mazda Quality Service process.

January 15, 2018

Mitsubishi Philippines Increases Prices Including Strada Pickup Truck Due to Excise Tax


Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is the latest carmaker to announce its new suggested retail price or SRP taking into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta is More Dynamic, More Connected (w/ 5 Photos)


Volkswagen has just unveiled the 7th generation Jetta, a full-on redesign of their compact car that promises dynamic proportions, optimal space utilization, and new range of assistance systems. Produced at the German automaker’s Mexico plant, it will be put on sale there by the first quarter of 2018 with the US market to follow by around midyear.

Hyundai and Grab Enter Strategic Partnership


Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, and Grab, the leading on-demand transportation and mobile payments platform in Southeast Asia, announced a strategic partnership that will expand Hyundai’s innovative future mobility services in Southeast Asia.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils All-New 2019 G-Class at Detroit (w/ 19 Photos)


How do you reinvent an icon? That’s the conundrum faced by Mercedes-Benz designers and engineers as they set their sights on the G-Class’s first ground-up redesign. The German carmaker’s longest serving model, the G-Class has been renowned for its uncompromising on- and off-road performance and impeccably solid build quality; traits which have been certainly carried over to the 2019 model.

January 14, 2018

2018 Ford Ranger: This is It (w/ 13 Photos)


After years of absence in the biggest pickup truck market in the world, Ford is finally bringing the Ranger back to the US. Still based off the current T6 global platform, the 2018 Ranger (2019 in North America) undergoes yet another refresh and packs more driver-assist technologies including the world’s first off-road cruise control.

January 13, 2018

Mazda Philippines Sets All-Time Sales Record in 2017


Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc. (BAP), the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, reported record sales numbers for the month of December and the full year of 2017.

Hyundai to Open Truck and Bus Dealership in Batangas City


Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and Shaw Automotive Resources, Inc. (SARI) President Felix Limcaoco III, along with other top executives, led the groundbreaking ceremony of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Batangas City located along Diversion Road in Balagtas, Batangas City.

SsangYong Posts 140 Percent Sales Growth in 2017


SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines (SBMP), the exclusive distributors of SsangYong vehicles and parts in the country, reported a robust 140 percent increase in its sales numbers compared to the brand’s output during its first year of operations in 2016.

January 12, 2018

Subaru Absorbs Some New Vehicle Excise Tax in Revealed Post-TRAIN Prices


Coming from a strong 2017, where Philippine sales reached 116 percent of target, Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru eyes strong growth amidst the new vehicle excise tax this year. Speaking to members of the Philippine media at the regional launch of EyeSight and the 2018 Subaru XV and Outback in Singapore, Mr. Glenn Tan, Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), the parent company of Motor Image remains confident that Motor Image’s Philippine sales will continue to grow.

Meet Toyota GAZOO Racing's 1,000-horsepower Super Sports Car Concept (w/ 11 Photos)


Toyota GAZOO Racing unveils what’s essentially a World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the road at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018: meet the Toyota GAZOO GR Super Sports Concept. It sets the direction of what sort of cars to expect from Toyota and GAZOO Racing.

Subaru STI Wastes No Time in Tuning the VIZIV Performance Concept (w/ 15 Photos)


Subaru wasted no time giving the world a sneak peek of how the future STI could look like. After showing the VIZIV Performance Concept (a potentially future WRX) at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017, STI immediately got to work and in just 4 months shows the VIZIV Performance STI Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2018.

January 11, 2018

Subaru Launches EyeSight-Equipped 2018 Outback and XV


Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across 9 countries in Asia launched the EyeSight driver assist technology on two vehicles: the 2018 Outback and the 2018 Subaru XV. Unveiled at the 2018 Singapore Motor Show, both of these models are slated to arrive in the Philippines by Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) in April.

Volkswagen Amarok Wins International Pickup of the Year 2018


The Volkswagen Amarok has won the ‘International Pick-up Award 2018’ (IPUA 2018). Like its predecessor in 2010, the new Amarok, now with high-torque V6 engines, has also succeeded in winning over the jury of transport journalists.

Common Questions on Subaru EyeSight Answered


Motor Image Pilipinas is rolling out Subaru’s advanced driver assistive technologies dubbed EyeSight for our market real soon. So naturally, it begs to question three things: how does it perform? Can it take on aftermarket stuff like tints? And finally, can it be retrofitted on non-EyeSight equipped vehicle? Well, we’ll answer them one by one here (if you need an in-depth primer on what Subaru EyeSight is, click here).

January 10, 2018

Foton Philippines Retains Prices for January 2018


Foton Philippines is the fourth local manufacturer to reveal their vehicle prices effective January 2018. And taking the lead from Hyundai, they have decided to freeze their prices more or less despite Republic Act 10963 or the TRAIN Law taking effect last New Year’s Day.

DAF Trucks' CF and XF Line are Voted International Truck of the Year 2018


DAF’s New CF and XF have been voted International Truck of the Year 2018 by an independent jury of leading road-transport journalists from 23 European countries. This honor was awarded to DAF Trucks by Gianenrico Griffini, chairman of the jury at the 2017 Solutrans International Transport Show in Lyon, France.

Breyton Wheels is Now in the Philippines


Wheel Gallery, the Philippine distributor of Black Rhino, TSW, and Concept One has added a new brand into their portfolio: Breyton Wheels. Designed to fit BMW, MINI, and Porsche models, Wheel Gallery will bring in a variety of styles and fitments that suits everything from a BMW 1 Series to M high-performance vehicles.

An Eye on EyeSight: A Primer on Subaru's Advanced Driver Assistive Technology


Admittedly, safety isn’t sexy. If the surveys are right, then safety actually ranks below criteria such as aesthetics, performance, and even resale value when it comes to a new car purchase. However, that’s not to say carmakers aren’t doing anything about it; one carmaker, Subaru, has made safety a core principle in the design and engineering of their cars. They’re so focused on safety that they said they’ll be able to achieve the highest vehicle safety standards in the world until 2025 at the very least.

January 9, 2018

Ford Philippines Achieves Record Sales in 2017


Ford Philippines announced its fifth consecutive year of record sales with 2017 retail sales rising 9 percent from the prior year to 36,623 units. This performance was led by record full-year sales from the Everest, EcoSport, Ranger, and Explorer.

PSBank Awards Innova to "Win the Dream" Raffle Promo Winner


Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) awards the winner of a 2017 Toyota Innova J from its Win the Dream raffle promo.

Review: BMW 218i Gran Tourer


You normally buy a BMW because either a: it looks good, or b: it makes you look good. Practicality may be part of the mix somewhere, but let’s face it—it’s just something to convince the wife. But what if there’s a car out there, with a blue-and-white propeller badge, that’s got practicality written all over it? What if there’s a BMW that you could buy and honestly say, it’s practical without having to sound like you’re eating your words?

January 8, 2018

Toyota, Lexus Announce 2018 Prices Incorporating New Excise Tax


Following Honda’s lead 5 days ago, Toyota Motor Philippines (including its luxury division, Lexus) is the next car manufacturer to unveil their official January 2018 prices taking into account the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law. And as one of the only handful of carmakers locally to boast of a full and diversified line-up (including pick-up trucks and hybrids), this is the first complete picture anyone has on the effect of Republic Act 10963 on vehicle prices.

Government Starts Weeding Out Non-Roadworthy, Polluting Jeepneys


The i-ACT or Inter-Agency Council on Traffic, collectively made up of the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP – HPG) has started to weed out decrepit and polluting passenger jeepneys under the Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok program.

2018 Volvo XC60 Arrives in the Philippines (w/ Specs)


After previewing it at the Nordic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Crayfish Party last September, Volvo’s midsized crossover has finally arrived. Offered in just one variant (for now), the 2018 XC60 is the uniquely Swedish answer to a segment typically dominated by the Germans.

January 7, 2018

Toyota to Merge 3 Aftermarket Divisions


Toyota Motor Corporation is merging three of its vehicle customization companies: Toyota Technocraft Co., Ltd., J-TACS Corporation, and Toyota Modellista International Corporation into one entity starting April 1 of this year.

January 6, 2018

This Close-to-Stock Nissan Navara Will Take On the Dakar Rally


One man is going out of his way to prove that the Nissan Navara is a “tough and smart” truck. He’s going to take it through one of the most grueling races in the world: the Dakar Rally.

Baby Driver Subaru WRX is Still Doing Donuts


One of the most recognizable stars in the movie Baby Driver has to be the red Subaru WRX. Driven by lead Ansel Elgort, the “Hawkeye” WRX is memorable for its almost-10-minute long opening chase sequence. After shooting wrapped, Elgort was so enamored with the WRX that he actually got himself one of the cars used in the film.

January 5, 2018

Hyundai Philippines Keeps 2017 Car Prices with Beat the TRAIN Promo (w/ Prices)


Hyundai Philippines is giving potential buyers one last chance to beat the TRAIN. With the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Republic Act 10963) now in place, it pretty much means that new vehicle prices are up almost across the board.

China Bans Sales of 553 Cars Including Audi, Mercedes-Benz Due to New Tough Emissions Standards


From one of the worst polluters in the world, to a strong voice in the fight against air pollution. As the world greeted the new year, China has banned the production and sale of 553 car models because it does not meet the government’s tough new fuel consumption and emissions standards. Although the complete list of 553 vehicles isn’t available, a report by Bloomberg News says that at least one Audi, one Mercedes-Benz, and one Chevrolet model are included.

Renew Your Car's Insurance, Travel to Taiwan for Free


Applying for or renewing your car’s insurance? Now would be a great time to do it since it can win you a roundtrip airfare ticket to Taiwan for two plus P 20,000 in pocket money.

You Need Wholesome Thoughts When Using Nissan's New Technology (w/ Video)


Nissan just unveiled a way to help you control your car based on inputs from the driver’s brain. Dubbed Brain-to-Vehicle or B2V technology, it promises to speed up reaction times for the driver and will lead to cars becoming more enjoyable to drive.

January 4, 2018

Department of Energy to Oil Companies: We're Watching You


After oil companies geared up to implement the new excise tax on fuel last January 1, 2018, the Department of Energy (DOE) countered and said: not so fast.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Promotes Electrified Tech to Academe


Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) held a two-day event to promote EV and PHEV technology as next-generation cars.  Last December, a symposium on Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles was held at De La Salle University (DLSU), Taft Avenue, in Manila which was attended by engineering students and some faculty members from De La Salle University, Mapua Institute of Technology, and University of the Philippines.

Petron Greets New Year with New Best Day Stickers


Just in time for the new year, Petron has released a new set of Best Day stickers on Viber to help road warriors communicate with family and friends in new and fun ways.

Ford, Honda Win Big at Ward's Auto Annual 10 Best Engines


Automotive publication Ward’s has released their annual 10 Best Engines and for 2018, half of the winners are turbocharged. In addition, it sees the return of the fuel cell as well as a V8 along with two first-time winners.

January 3, 2018

Honda Cars Philippines is First Automaker to Officially Reveal Post-TRAIN Prices


Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) is the first carmaker to official reveal their post-TRAIN prices effective January 1, 2018. Posted on their official website (and not leaked through dealers), the new prices effectively see Honda’s prices go up across the board.

Hyundai Dealership Soon to Rise in Marikina City


Top executives from Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) and Shaw Automotive Resources, Inc. (SARI) led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hyundai Marikina dealership along Sumulong Highway in Marikina City.

The Blaupunkt Chicago 600 Fits Toyota Dashes With No Re-Paneling Needed (w/ Brochure)


One of the oddest things about modern Toyotas is the size of its radio. Despite it being non-integral to the dash, its size doesn’t conform to the traditionally accepted ISO 7736 or more commonly known as Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN 75490) or DIN. This poses a problem to owners who want to have the option of upgrading their standard factory radios into something, well, a bit more sophisticated.

Volkswagen Hits Global Production Milestone


Volkswagen has produced more than six million vehicles in 2017, setting a new record for the German carmaker. Helping them achieve this goal, Volkswagen embarked on their largest model offensive in its history. This along with strong global demand has led them to this milestone. The Jetta, Golf, Santana, Passat, and Polo are the top models in their line-up.

January 2, 2018

So When Are Car and Gas Prices Going Up?


With Republic Act 10963 (infamously known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law) taking effect on the first day of 2018 (yesterday), there has been a lot of confusion as to whether it should be implemented since the government has yet to issue proper Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Review: 2018 Hyundai Elantra 2.0 GLS


It’s painful to see what Hyundai has done with the Elantra. From a world-beating compact sedan that had the Japanese almost beat down pat, it’s now good as gone; plummeting into obscurity just as quickly as it rose to fame. It’s the automotive equivalent of being a K-Pop one-hit wonder. It was classy, sexy, and original. Now, it’s simply overpriced, unoriginal, and sadly, uninteresting.

The Man Who Made Mazda Defy Convention Has Died


Kenichi Yamamoto, the man who led a team at Mazda to produce the world’s first commercially viable rotary engine and later served as its President and Chairman has died. He was 95.

January 1, 2018

DTI, Body Makers Settle on Standardized Modern PUV Dimensions


The Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines or ABMAP has revealed certain design concepts of the proposed “Eco PUV”—the proposed replacement of the ageing jeepneys under the government’s PUV Modernization program.

Hyundai Philippines Sales Grew 12 Percent in November


Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, registered a positive year-to-date growth in Passenger Car (PC) and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales, growing by 12 percent from 30,469 units sold in January-November 2016 to 34,025 units sold in January-November 2017.

Ford Enhances Aftersales Service with Tournament for Dealers


As part of its commitment to improve the overall Ford ownership experience, Ford Philippines recently held its annual cross-dealership skills enhancement tournament, which aims to promote talents, skills, and capabilities among dealership personnel through practical and technical competition to better serve customers.