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January 13, 2020

This P 50k Lenovo Laptop is Made for Ducati Super Fans

Attention Ducati fans: there’s a special laptop made just for you. Done in collaboration with Lenovo, the Lenovo Ducati 5 brings together the world of fast motorbikes with fast mobile computing.

Omotenashi. It’s known the world over as “Japanese hospitality,” but its literal translation gives a much deeper meaning: “Omote” means public face while “Nashi” means nothing. Combining them means every service is from the bottom of the heart—honest and genuine—the very same ideas that describe the Mazda CX-8.

For many people, a car is simply a means of traveling between places. For others it’s statement of style or prosperity. For Richard Hoar, an Australian-based 78-year-old wildlife photographer, it’s his home. Over the decades, his Nissan Navara has become Richard’s companion, a versatile and reliable vehicle that has accompanied him on his life journey.

For those lucky enough to watch U2 at their Tokyo show last month, they’ll be surprised to know that that the concert was partially powered by the hydrogen-fueled Toyota Mirai.

Five Mitsubishi dealerships have just signed on to become the first in the Philippines to offer the charging of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) through a new showroom concept called, “Dendo Drive Station.”

Hyundai’s smallest crossover to date, the Venue, made an appearance at the Singapore Motor Show last week. It’s a hopeful sign that the Korean carmaker will bring its most affordable crossover to more ASEAN markets, including (fingers crossed) the Philippines.

Suzuki Philippines solidified its strong performance with a 21.17-percent increase in 2019. The consistent boost in sales was the realization of the company’s aggressive sales and marketing efforts throughout the year reflecting the performance of the Ertiga, Vitara, and Celerio.

Subaru and STI Come Up with Their Own "GT" Models in Japan

How’s this for a plot twist. Motor Image may have been the first one to come up with their own special GT Edition models like the Forester GT Edition and the Subaru XV GT Edition, but Subaru Corporation’s now doing the same.

1990s nostalgia kicks into high gear over at Honda’s display at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2020. Reviving the classic Civic Type R EK9, Honda Access has given it a contemporary makeover and a badass name: Civic Cyber Night Japan Cruiser 2020.

Is the Recent PH Price Increase of the Honda Civic Type R Indicative That a Third Batch is Coming?

Ushering in 2020, Honda Cars Philippines upped the price of the Civic Type R. From P 2.980 million, the hot hatch’s price goes up P 200,000 to P 3.180 million. With the refreshed model debuting at the Tokyo Auto Salon, could this price be indicative that Honda is ready to bring yet another batch of Civic Type Rs into the country?

Despite some hefty competition in the pickup truck segment, Ford Philippines says its Ranger saw full-year retail sales rising 27 percent to 14,759 units. This brings the brand’s full-year retail sales to 21,900 units.

At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Mazda has finally released the first OE body kit for its CX-30 crossover. Known collectively as the “Signature Style” package, it’s designed to enhance the Mazda design ethos while giving it a bit of personal flair.

The all-new, second-generation Levorg is inching closer to production as Subaru showcased a version massaged by in-house tuner STI at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

This year, Motor Image is turning a new leaf in the Philippines, and will finally do away with aggressive discounting which have hurt its brand image somewhat. For 2020 onwards, the exclusive distributor of Subaru across 11 markets in Asia will instead focus on one aspect: safety.

Toyota finally pulled the covers off its high-performance GR Yaris—a homologation model born to win the FIA World Rally Championship. Learning from competing in the WRC, Toyota developed the GR Yaris together with Tommi Mäkinen and will be produced to a tune of at least 25,000 units over a 12-month period.

Toyota Starts Own Heritage Parts Program with Supra

After Mazda and Nissan got into the re-manufacture of parts for heritage cars, Toyota is now going to do the same, and the first one to benefit from Gazoo Racing’s Heritage Parts Project? The A70 and A80 Supra.

Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines has made a bold prediction regarding its sales this year. They project that thanks to a slew of new product introductions, sales will increase by 30 percent compared to 2019 levels.

Motor Image came out with a one-of-a-kind tuner special featuring the Forester SUV. The name? The Forester Ultimate Customized Kit Special or FUCKS Edition. No kidding.

Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across 11 markets in Asia has confirmed: they are bringing the Forester e-BOXER to the Philippines. This move makes Subaru the first brand to offer a mainstream gasoline-electric hybrid SUV.

Nissan Executives Brought Down Ghosn Because of Possible Renault Merger

In Carlos Ghosn’s first press conference after fleeing Japan for Lebanon, he pointed the figure squarely at other Nissan executives for orchestrating his downfall while saying that all allegations against him for financial misconduct are untrue.

The Subaru Forester has made it to the list of the safest cars made for the year according to the European New Car Assessment Program or Euro NCAP. It was named the “Best in the Class Cars of 2019” in the Small Off-Road / MPV category.

Nissan’s ATTESA or Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain is famous for its application in the GT-R supercar among others. Well, the Japanese automaker just showed off its most direct successor and its name? e-4ORCE.

For all of Subaru’s advanced set of features—from its direct-injected Boxer engine to its EyeSight driver assist system most owners lament one thing: the lack of speed-sensing door locks. Well, the seemingly eternal wait is over as this feature’s finally coming to Subaru models starting with the 2020 Impreza.

Nissan to Continue Case Against Former Chairman Despite His Escape

Nissan has released an official statement after Carlos Ghosn’s escape to Lebanon without the knowledge of Japanese officials.

Hyundai is tired of being an industry follower and has decided that 2020 will be the start of their quest to become an industrial leader.

Today, Toyota revealed plans to build a prototype city of the future on a 71-hectare site at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan. Called the Woven City, it will be a fully connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), has strengthened its longtime partnership with one of the largest provincial bus companies in the country, Victory Liner, Inc. (VLI). HARI recently delivered 50 brand-new Hyundai Universe buses as part of the bus company’s upgrading program.

Didn’t get a brand-new Honda last December? Well, don’t worry since Honda Cars Philippines has extended its “Cheers for Deals” promo this January. The deals include the BR-V which drops its price to a tad above a million pesos making it even more affordable than the Mobilio RS!

Hyundai’s i10 is positioned to be the smallest member of their automotive family, but that didn’t stop the Korean automaker from coming up with a sedan sibling to keep it company. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Hyundai Aura.

Nissans has built a reputation around its frigid cold air conditioning system, but its absorption of unwanted NVH? Not so much. Well, all that’s going to change thanks to this new breakthrough material developed by the company.

Nissan's VC-Turbo Among Those Cited for 2020 Best Engines

As carmakers face mounting pressure to improve their fuel economy and lower their emissions, they have responded by investing in downsized powertrains. Evidenced by automotive publication Wards’s 2020 10 Best Engines list, more and more winners in this list have opted for electrified engines. As a matter of fact, only one V8 remains on the list.

Bolstering its presence in the Mindanao regions for having one of the most promising growth potentials for the automotive and transport industries in the years to come, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) conducted formal signing ceremonies for two new dealerships last December.

Jaguar Land Rover has developed a unique 3D-printed dog paw to help engineers assess the durability of future cars, with a little help from Yogi the Labrador and the new Land Rover Defender.

Suzuki is mixing together its automotive, motorcycle, and marine line-up at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. There, they will display a total of 10 vehicles including these two exhibit vehicles, the Jimny Marine Style and Swift Sport Katana Edition.

Raise your glass and toast to the Subaru WRX STI—an iconic model that’ll be the subject of a very long goodbye this year. Saddled with pressure to improve its fuel economy, and perhaps make its performance more attainable to the ordinary man, this car is representative of a dying breed of factory-tuned compacts made for those with a razor-sharp mindset: to go fast, and do it brutally.

Students are Transforming the Mazda CX-5 into a Dakar-Ready Off-Roader

Ever wondered how the CX-5 would look like if it were made to compete in the Dakar Rally? Well, wonder no more because students in Japan’s Nihon Automobile College (NATS) is turning that into reality with the CX-Runner.

Aston Martin isn’t just creating their first-ever SUV, but now, they’ve also come up with their very-own helicopter. Developed in partnership with Airbus Corporate Helicopters, the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition brings the British supercar maker’s coachbuilding skills to the mile-high club.

Lexus Was Slapped with a Hefty Fine for Practices Which are Business as Usual in the Philippines

Toyota’s premium division, Lexus was slapped with an 87.6 million RMB (~ P 642-million) in the world’s largest car market, China for market practices which were deemed monopolistic. Interestingly enough, these practices are quite normal here in the Philippines.

Crossovers aren’t normally equipped to go off the beaten track. With no low-range transfer case or locking differentials, the most rugged thing they’ll end up doing is climb up the mall parking lot ramp. However, as buyers look for choices that give them an increased level of capability (it’s a security blanket more than anything), carmakers can’t ignore engineering crossovers with an increased level of skill for dirt and mud.

Despite being beaten to the punch by Maxus in plans to introduce a pickup truck locally, MG’s not backing down. Apart from confirming that its MG Extender (a pickup based off the Maxus T70, which in turn, is based off the T60) is still a go, reports say they’re also introducing their very own 7-seater body-on-frame SUV some time this year.

Hubris. That’s what landed Mazda into trouble with the CX-3. At the time of its launch five years ago, it seemed they could do no wrong—their sweeping KODO design coupled with the Skyactiv powertrain delivered them one critical hit after another. But when it was time to come up with a sub-compact crossover, they read the market wrong. Too small and too expensive—it didn’t deliver the numbers Mazda thought were there.

Ford Philippines Extends Coverage of Emergency Roadside Assistance

Ford Philippines is extending the coverage of its free emergency roadside assistance from one to three years as part of its efforts to improve the ownership experience.

As the world enters a new year, carmakers in the Philippines are once again bullish with the prospects of a growing industry. After being hit hard by the implementation of the new vehicle excise tax in 2018, and some subsequent recovery in 2019, the industry is once again looking to new models to further fuel their growth this year.

The Mitsubishi Outlander and ASX Will Finally Be Replaced in 2020

As far as automobiles go, Mitsubishi’s pair of crossovers—the Outlander and ASX has been one of the longest serving ones. In its current form, the compact Outlander’s been around since 2013, while for the ASX, it’s even longer—first seeing action in 2009. Thankfully, the wait for their replacement will soon be over as the Japanese carmaker’s confirmed that both will be replaced by 2020.

Volvo prides itself as being designed around people, and with that, they have made it their mission to be environmentally responsible—a tough act for any carmaker.

Hino Motors Philippines expands its retail network with the inauguration of its dealership in Tacloban City, Leyte. With this, Leyte will have access to Hino’s line of commercial vehicles such as the 300, 500, and 700 series trucks, buses, and even modern PUV units. It will also offer spare parts and after-sales service for trucks and buses.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. sold 2,981 units last November, or a 4.4 percent growth versus October’s 2,856 units. This is the exclusive Philippine Hyundai distributor’s third highest monthly sales in 2019.

With three months to go until its next scheduled preventive maintenance, it’s time to give a brief update on our long-term Sonic Silver Mazda CX-5 AWD Sport Diesel. Nine months into ownership, everything’s fine with our first-ever diesel.

The Autohub Group is launching a high-tech, innovative, and convenient way to engage with their customers: the Autohub Mobile App.

How is this for a plot twist? After more than a year in Japanese custody due for four counts of financial misconduct, disgraced former Nissan CEO has surfaced in Lebanon.

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