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March 19, 2020

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Will Allow You to Swap Your Car Keys for a Smartphone App

Aside from debuting an all-new platform and a striking new look, Hyundai is pushing tech as one of the Elantra’s key pillars. And one of its more unusual features is this: the Hyundai Digital Key.

Mazda has opted to postpone its Open Day 2020 event in light of the COVID-19 outbreak that’s affecting the world.

Kia was supposed to give the world a better look at its all-new 2021 Sorento. Sadly, COVID-19 got in the way, and now we just have to settle at this deluge of photos and videos from the Korean carmaker.

The U.S. “Big Three” will now idle their manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico at least until the end of the month due to COVID-19.

UPDATED: Toyota Financial Services Extends Auto Loan Payment by 30 Days

UPDATE: Toyota Motor Philippines has released guidelines. See below (3/20).

In light of the current COVID-19 situation, Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation TFSPH has taken the lead and given eligible customers a 30-day payment extension.

How’s this for a timely feature? Chinese car brand, Geely Auto has announced that all future vehicles will be equipped with an on-board air filtration system that can keep harmful particulates such as the coronavirus from their vehicle’s internal air environment.

Six years since its introduction, BMW is bidding adieu to its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the i8.

COVID-19 isn’t stopping Hyundai from pulling the covers off the all-new 2021 Elantra compact sedan. Marking the world debut of the Hyundai’s popular compact sedan, the Elantra showcases Hyundai’s latest ambitions including a new design language, hybrid-electric tech, and a segment first wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

San Miguel Corporation is assuring the public that its subsidiaries that provide basic necessities will continue to operate despite the Enhanced Community Lockdown. The assurance was made by no less than SMC President and COO Ramon S. Ang.

Toyota Motor Corporation has suspended production in Europe, and the Philippines because of the spread of COVID-19.

As Europe becomes the newest hotspot for COVID-19, several automakers are now shutting down either due to supply chain constraints or as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the disease. After Lamborghini and Ferrari (as well as Pirelli and Brembo) announced production suspensions, Volkswagen, Ford, and Ducati are now doing the same.

Mazda Extends Free PMS Coverage for Vehicles Covered by Yojin-3

In light of the Enhanced Community Quarantine covering the entire Luzon area, Mazda Philippines is the first car manufacturer to announce a grace period on vehicles covered by its Yojin-3 program.

Hyundai has just released the first official photos of the refreshed Accent. Known as the Verna overseas, it will be making its global debut a few days after the launch of the all-new Elantra.

If you think no one could walk away from this gnarly crash, think again. You can, if you’re in a 2020 Mazda CX-30. Mazda’s next-generation sub-compact crossover was just awarded with a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This adds yet another safety-related accolade for the CX-30 after it scored a near-perfect adult protection score at the Euro NCAP.

Every year thousands of accidents are caused by drivers or passengers opening a door into the path of a cyclist. “Car dooring” results in 60 cyclists being seriously injured or killed each year in the U.K. alone, while in Germany it was the cause of around 3,500 accidents during 2018. This problem is expected to get worse as more people choose to cycle and ride e‑scooters in cities.

This year, another Japanese automaker is celebrating its 100th anniversary: Suzuki. It was on March 15, 1920 that Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company was founded by Michio Suzuki. Since then, Suzuki has expanded its business from looms to motorcycles, automobiles, outboard motors, and ATVs, always adapting to the trend of the times as well as domestic and global markets.

Luzon's Now Under Enhanced Community Quarantine. Here's What It Means

The first workday after the implementation of the NCR’s Community Quarantine, Malacañang has opted to bump things up to an Enhanced Community Quarantine for the entire area of Luzon. This takes effect 12:00 AM from Tuesday, March 17 to 12:00 AM on Monday, April 13.

Mitsubishi has high hopes for its Xpander MPV that it is expanding the production volume at its Bekasi, Indonesia manufacturing facility for a second time.

Suzuki toyed with the idea, but it took the brand’s New Zealand office to make it happen. This here is an official pickup conversion of the fourth-generation 2020 Jimny.

Aside from Automobili Lamborghini, Ferrari as well as Fiat Chrysler and Brembo have also announced plans to suspend their operations following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy.

At its official brand launch, United Asia Automotive Group (UAAGI), the newly installed distributor of Chery automobiles revealed its plans to fast track the opening of 12 dealerships. Well, that number has just risen to 15 with plans to double its footprint in the next three years.

Mazda Philippines and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation announced the renewal of their long-standing partnership with a formal contract signing ceremony.

For those who watched Ford v Ferrari, they’ll remember that Christian Bale played racer Ken Miles. Well, Shelby and Mustang enthusiasts will now get a chance to own a piece of history as a real Mustang driven by Ken Miles will be up for auction this May.

Automobili Lamborghini has announced its support of Italian government directives, and will be closing its facilities until March 25, 2020.

Big-Time Fuel Price Rollback Happening This March 17

There’s a bit of good news for all motorists next week: big-time price rollback for gasoline and diesel. One brand has already implemented the rollback last Friday, March 13, but for a majority, the new prices will take effect on Tuesday, March 17.

UPDATED: Here's What You Can Expect as NCR Goes Into Community Quarantine

UDPATE: Luzon is now placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine. Read what it means here (3/16).

With the COVID-19 outbreak causing the National Capital Region (NCR) to go into Community Quarantine mode, Malacañang as well as other agencies has issued the official guidelines which take effect starting Sunday, March 15 at 12:00 AM to Tuesday, April 14, 12:00 AM.

SMC Tollways has expressed its full cooperation with the Philippine government’s decision to implement necessary measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Suzuki PH Replaces Alto with P 518k SUV-Inspired S-Presso (w/ Specs, Brochure)

Suzuki Philippines is giving a unique twist to its entry-level micro car offering. Replacing its strong-selling Alto is this SUV-styled hatchback called the S-Presso. Strong and bold, the P 518,000 crossover may have what it takes to stand out in the A-segment passenger car segment.

Suzuki Philippines has finally released the complete details of their 7-seater sub-compact SUV: the XL7 after a pre-selling preview last week. The three-row SUV comes only in one variant: the 1.5 GLX and is priced at P 1.068 million.

Fiat has chosen an iconic model as its first-ever fully electric vehicle: this is the all-new Fiat 500. Taking inspiration from the two generation of city cars before it, the 500 now adds sustainable and (partly) autonomous driving features for the new decade.

COVID-19 is now a real health threat. And while everyone’s been concentrating on personal and home hygiene, there’s one typically overlooked thing: car interiors.

The first round of the 2020 Formula 1 season has been canceled. Following the confirmation that a member of McLaren Racing has tested positive for COVID-19, and the subsequent decision of the team to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, the FIA and Formula 1 opted to cancel the race.

Mitsubishi PH Brings in 2020 Strada Athlete with Prices Starting at P 1.443M (w/ 16 Photos, Specs)

It’s been a very busy few days for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. After revealing the final Philippine specification and pricing of its much-awaited Xpander Cross, they’ve also announced the availability and pricing of the Strada Athlete as well.

Just a week after its global debut, Porsche Philippines has confirmed: they are bringing in the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S.

In celebration of its 110th anniversary, Alfa Romeo is tweaking its Giulia by giving it a makeover that pays homage to one of its most emblematic vehicles: the GTA.

Don’t adjust your screens. Don’t tell us it’s a typo, either. This here is the Morgan Plus Four, and despite its retro-look, it’s a 2021 model. Considered as Morgan’s core model—the Plus Four replaces the Plus 4 (yes, they’re different according to the carmaker), a car that on its own has been in production for 70 years.

During the launch of the Forester GT Edition, the Motor Image Pilipinas marketing team were clearly sweating buckets, and it’s not because they had the COVID-19 virus. It was more because of their 2020 target: 40 percent higher Forester sales with the launch of the sportier-looking GT Edition.

Subaru Launches the 2020 Forester GT Edition for P 2.120M

After a series of previews in Singapore, Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines has finally revealed the pricing of this special edition model. If you’re standing at the moment, we encourage you to sit down and take a deep breath.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP) kicks off the pre-selling activity for its upcoming model, the new Geely Azkarra. The pre-selling activity features exciting incentives for customers who will reserve a unit before the actual delivery in April 2020.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines promised, and they delivered. A few months after its global debut in Indonesia, the 7-seater Xpander Cross has finally landed in the Philippines and with it re-ignites the war for supremacy among three-row sub-compact SUVs.

Hyundai Motor revealed today the first images of the all-new 2021 Elantra. The upcoming seventh-generation Elantra showcases an edgy and aggressive look based on parametric shapes and textures, which reflects Hyundai’s new design identity. The world premiere press conference will take place next week.

Aside from quietly launching the D-Max Boondock 4x4, Isuzu Philippines Corporation did an equally quiet update to its 7-seater mu-X SUV.

MG Philippines has been named the Official Car of the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) 2020 competition.

Committed to injecting a bit of excitement to its local line-up, Nissan Philippines has just announced the availability and pricing of the 2020 Nissan 370Z. The iconic rear-wheel drive sportscar will be made available at all Nissan dealerships starting this April 2020 with prices starting at P 2.779 million.

In Case You Weren't Paying Attention, Ford Added Features to the Entire 2020 Ranger Line-Up

For those who weren’t paying attention (or maybe had very short attention spans) during the 2020 Ranger FX4 launch, Ford Philippines is reminding you all: the entire line-up has been upgraded. And yes, the pricing has been kept the same, down to the last centavo.

It was only going to be a matter of time (and a formality), but Mazda has announced that the 2020 Mazda3 has aced the U.S. government’s frontal crash, side crash, and rollover tests allowing it to receive a 5-star safety rating—the highest the NHTSA can give.

RUF Automobile is a name synonymous with bespoke Porsches. And with models such as the RUF CTR “Yellow Bird,” it’s also become a household name for the Playstation generation. Well, guess what? They’ve decided to get into the whole off-roader business.

Manila International Auto Show, Inside Racing Bike Festival Postponed Due to COVID-19

Summer will be less busy for bike and car enthusiasts as two of the biggest annual shows, the InsideRacing Bike Festival and the Manila International Auto Show have been postponed due to recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

She didn’t expect it to be that easy. Real estate professional and first-time car owner, 28-year old Jennica Ann Butiong proudly drove home her Hyundai Reina after a simple turnover ceremony at Hyundai Manila Bay.

Nissan Philippines would like to have you believe that these photos show sightings of the 370Z sportscar. Well, we beg to differ. They’re clearly professionally done—even down to the down-low action shot. So, whatever.

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