With Volkswagen pledging to move away from the internal combustion engine by 2026, it makes sense for the German automaker to preview some sort of all-new electric commercial vehicle; after all, they sell close to 500,000 of them on an annual basis. Well, leave it to designers to create the I.D. BUZZ CARGO—a retro-futuristic cargo van that’s headed into production by 2022.

When choosing your next family vehicle, there is a lot to consider; and for that, it can be a daunting task. With how much family life throws at a vehicle these days, many are looking at a mid-sized Sport Utility Vehicle or SUV for their comfort, capability, and flexibility. Sadly, this generation’s family vehicle can also break the bank. Luckily, there’s the new 2019 Isuzu mu-X LS A/T—a fully-featured 7-seater SUV that’s priced like a crossover or sedan.

From the outside, the Isuzu mu-X LS A/T inspires confidence, capability, and success with its bi-LED projector headlights with integrated daytime running lights and LED taillights. The radiator grille, front fog light garnish, and tailgate garnish are all finished in a technical-looking Material Gray while the side mirrors, and door handles are in sporty Material Black. Rugged-looking 16-inch wheels shod with 245/70R16 tires fill in each corner as well.






SUVs are considered to be the safest category of passenger vehicle and yet, the mu-X LS A/T ups the notch by keeping the entire family secure with its world-class safety system. Standard safety features include Dual SRS Airbags, Anti-lock Brakes System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Override System and Brake Assist.



With a price tag of P 1,300,000, the mu-X LS A/T brings back the mental image of Isuzu’s legendary and dependable Crosswind. For all intents and purposes, it may be the Crosswind’s spiritual successor but this one is powered by Isuzu’s latest engine: the RZ4E engine.

The Isuzu RZ4E engine brings Isuzu into the global trend of offering a smaller displacement engine with impressive outputs. In the mu-X LS A/T, it produces a maximum of 150 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,600 rpm. It is up to 48.36 percent more fuel efficient and is designed for low maintenance with its Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters (HVLA), a single engine accessory drive belt with Auto adjuster, a cartridge-type oil filter, and a steel timing chain with automatic chain adjuster. It is also mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift for excellent performance both city or out-of-town setting.

The Isuzu mu-X LS A/T’s unbeatable mix of style, roominess, features, safety, and performance means it can easily meet all the family’s needs. Whether it is the daily trip to school or the weekend getaway with the whole family, the mu-X LS A/T is this generation’s family vehicle.

After a series of previews, Volvo’s first-ever small premium SUV, the XC40, has arrived in the Philippines. Recipient of the 2018 European Car of the Year and 2018-2019 Japan Car of the Year, the XC40 is an SUV that’s “designed around you.”

“The future of mobility is electric, connected, and autonomous.” This bold declaration from Nissan succinctly encapsulates the mobility of tomorrow. As the world’s first brand to mass-produce an electric car, Nissan’s proven expertise in electrification has put more than 380,000 zero-emission electric vehicles on the road worldwide to date and the company’s plan to bring more than 1 million electrified vehicles to consumers around the world within fiscal year 2022 is a closer reality.

Critics and industry experts are all in love with Hyundai’s new design language. After scoping up two prestigious design awards—the iF Design Awards and the Red Dot Design Awards—three Hyundai models have been recognized once by the Good Design Awards for their “immense creativity and attention to form, function, and aesthetics.” These are the 2018 Kona, 2019 Santa Fe, and the Le Fil Rouge Concept Car.

It may sound something straight out of a science-fiction movie, but Hyundai is about to make it reality. Beginning in the first quarter of this year, the Korean automaker will be the first one to offer smart fingerprint technology that allows drivers to not only unlock doors, but also start vehicles as well.

Greeting the new year, Petron is changing the way people earn points when using their Petron Value Card or PVC. Petron says that this new system will simplify how people earn points using their loyalty card.

Grab Philippines says they’ve helped millions of Filipinos reach their destinations across cities and provinces in 2018. As they work to make public transportation safer and more convenient through innovation and empowerment in 2019, the company looks back at certain milestones they’ve achieved.

It takes commitment to make a relationship work. In order for the journey to be (almost) trouble-free and smooth-sailing, you have to be tougher than what lies before you; that you are willing to push back against what’s working against you. This is the kind of commitment required of owning a Jeep Renegade, the brand’s crossover model that is pitted against the likes of the Subaru XV, Mazda CX-3, and Honda HR-V. It looks to be straightforward and simple enough to understand. But just when you think you’ve got the Renegade all figured out, that nonchalant face gives way to characteristics that requires a bit more digging and a little more effort.

The Philippine automotive industry is seeking to rebound after the government’s implementation of TRAIN caused a derailment to growth in 2018. Collectively, carmakers are predicting a 10 to 15 percent rise in sales. While the growth will still be fueled mostly by attractive financing schemes, the bullish car industry is looking forward to new products to help spur this rebound.

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) has unveiled its latest range of Touring and Roadster big bike models: the CB650R, CB1000R, and Goldwing.

Nissan has figured out a way to test its paint and other materials without the need for sunlight. In fact, even on the darkest day of the year, Nissan engineers are still performing sunlight UV exposure tests thanks to a Xenon Weather-Ometeter (XWO) tool.

Volvo Philippines is the official transport for Asia’s Next Top Model host and judge Cindy Sirinya Bishop as she visited Manila. Ferried around by the latest addition to the Volvo stable, the Volvo XC40, the multi-faceted supermodel, actress, and most notably as of late, the founder of the #Don’tTellMeHowToDress campaign, offered her support to the launch of the #RespetoNaman Campaign against gender-based violence.

If you happen to find yourself in Tokyo in the New Year, try to drop by the newly renovated STI Gallery in Mitaka to get your go-fast Subaru fix.

Right after Christmas and the eating binge known as Noche Buena, the MMDA seems to be feeling its belt tighten a bit and has proposed a “road diet” to ease EDSA traffic.

GM International, which oversees the Chevrolet, Holden, and Cadillac brands in Asia-Pacific region, collaborated with Richard Watson, founder of NowAndNext.com and author of Digital Vs. Human, for his Top 10 automotive trends to watch in 2019.

Dammit, Suzuki…just take our money. If you thought it couldn’t get any better than the all-new Jimny, think again. The Japanese carmaker just released a pair of “concepts” based on their all-new cute-ute and they’re just awesome.

The Balesin Island Club has chosen the Foton Traveller as its official transport for guests and employees. Owned by Alpha Land, the Traveller will be used to transfer guests around the exclusive island during their stay.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, continues its strong show by registering a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase for the month of November 2018; the second consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Unit sales rose to 3,426 units from the recorded 3,309 units sold in November 2017. This puts the year-to-date total at 32,444 units sold from January to November 2018—a 4.6 percent decrease from the same period of the previous year.

As the Tokyo Auto Salon 2019 nears, Japanese automakers are ramping up the tease leading to the annual aftermarket auto show. Subaru, through their motorsports arm, Subaru Technica International or STI is no different, showing off two new concepts—the Impreza STI Concept and the Forester STI Concept.

This year is almost coming to a close and while the automotive industry dipped because of the implementation of TRAIN, that didn’t stop carmakers from coming up with some great new offerings for the Philippine market. Before revealing this year’s best, now is a great time to look at the previous winners (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011).

A Facebook post by South Snippets indicating that the Dona Soledad (Bicutan) and Dr. A. Santos (Sucat) exits of Skyway will be made exclusive to users of Autosweep RFID only has gone viral. We reached out to our sources within Skyway O&M Corporation, the operators of Skyway to find out if this is true.

Asia’s biggest dog trainer competition, Cesar’s Recruit: Asia, has announced its return for a third season in 2019. Auditions are now open to aspiring dog trainers across the region, aged 19 years old and above, for an opportunity to work with world-renowned dog behavior expert, Cesar Millan.

Despite raising the bar to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s highest rating, the Top Safety Pick+ for the sixth time since 2013, Subaru leads all other automakers with 7 models receiving the honor. The Japanese carmaker leads the nearly 5 dozen other models that earn either the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.

It’s the most wonderful (and jam-packed) time of the year! Waze released traffic data to help you outsmart congested roads this holiday season.

The all-new 2019 Toyota Camry has been officially launched (see full specs and details here). The country’s first taste of the new Toyota New Global Architecture or TNGA, it promises to excite the large (or in our terms, executive) sedan market. That being said, it competes in a segment that’s facing irrelevance thanks to the shift towards mid-sized SUVs and crossovers. We managed to sit down with Toyota Motor Philippines’s marketing and product people to find out how they plan to turn the tide with the 8th-generation Camry.

Team Philippines competed and completed the toughest off-road motorsport in the world: the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Grand Finals 2018 in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Jaguar Land Rover has developed the ultimate car door that opens automatically as the driver approaches or can be operated by gesture control.

Now on its 9th edition, the Petron 8 Oras ng Pilipinas continues to be the premier endurance race in the country. This year hosted the biggest event by far with a record-breaking 32 teams and 122 drivers taking on the challenge last December 2. It also proved to be the toughest with all competitors pushing a lot harder to win as compared to previous years. As a testament to this, only 24 cars survived the grueling enduro to see the chequered flag at the Clark International Speedway.

Toyota sees its future in ride-hailing companies as they announced “Total-care Service,” a pioneering set of mobility services specially designed for Transport Networking Companies or TNCs. The first customer for this new service? Ride-hailing giant, Grab.

Commemorating its partnership with tennis superstar and proud GT-R owner Naomi Osaka, Nissan is launching a special edition of its supercar honoring the Grand Slam winner.

Shopping for a brand-new mid-sized 7-seater SUV just got a bit more difficult. After Ford and Mitsubishi both announced enticing year-end promotions on their Everest and Montero Sport respectively, Isuzu is doing the same.