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June 17, 2020

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 Returns After a 17-Year Hiatus

After a 17-year hiatus, the Mustang Mach 1 returns making it the best-performing 5.0-liter V8 in Ford’s stable. Bridging the gap between the Mustang GT and Shelby models, the Mach 1 adds aero enhancements, competition-capable suspension upgrades, and a driver-focused cockpit.

Jaguar PH is Launching the All-Electric I-PACE in July

After being beaten to the punch by Hyundai, it looks like Nissan will have to be content with second runner-up when it comes to EV introductions as another carmaker has thrown their hat into the zero emissions ring: Jaguar.

Volvo Philippines is finally fixing one of the nuisances associated with Plug-In Hybrid (or EV) ownership: they are now offering free home installation of its Volvo Wallbox to all T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid owners.

Update: Read the full launch story here (6/24).

This month marks the return of the Ford F-150 to the Philippine market. The big, bold, and brash full-sized pickup truck will join the likes of the Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition as build-up units sourced from North America.

Despite the world’s insatiable appetite for SUVs and crossovers, Lexus is still banking on the compact sports sedan segment and with that unveiled the 2021 Lexus IS.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you: Ford just gave its Transit van a Ranger Raptor-like makeover, and yes, it’s not a one-off. It’ll be made available at showrooms, if you live in Europe.

For the month of June, Mazda Philippines makes owning its flagship luxury 7-seater Crossover more accessible than ever before. Until June 30, 2020, the Mazda CX-9 AWD Signature is made available for only P 28,271 per month for five years with financing from Bank of the Philippine Islands (assumes 50 percent downpayment).

This is the 2021 Nissan X-Trail

The first key part of Nissan’s turnaround plan has just been unveiled. The 2021 X-Trail (aka Rogue in the U.S.) makes its global debut with a stronger, more SUV-honed body, more upscale interior, and improved powertrain.

Positioned as a starter car, the 2020 Toyota Wigo is made to appeal to a broad market segment. With that, Toyota Motor Philippines is making available a wide list of accessories for its best-selling entry-level passenger car.

It’s confirmed: Toyota Motor Philippines will be launching a long-term car leasing program within the month. As predicted last April, the program will be called Kinto.

Toyota Motor Philippines made history with its first digital launch. Featuring the 2020 Wigo, the sub-compact hatchback is being positioned as an ideal starter car, especially when social distancing’s important in the “new normal.”

With companies now having to provide some kind of shuttle service to their employees in the “new normal,” Kia is giving business owners an ideal people mover in the Kia K2500 Karga.

A few days after the arrest of then Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018, reports surfaced that his public and humiliating treatment was part of a power play within the company. At the time, it was all anecdotal but now it seems there’s an email trail to back it up.

When the all-new, fourth-generation Honda Jazz (aka Fit) made its global debut in Japan, the design didn’t really sit with a vast majority of enthusiasts. Most dismissed it as too cute and not really a match for Honda’s sporty positioning.

Leading Philippine-based online auto parts store, PartsPro is now launching its very own outlet store where you can now get overstocked and demo items at liquidation prices.

Lalamove, in partnership with the Quezon City local government, launches a one-of-a-kind vehicle to cater to the delivery needs of the QC residents, the LalaJeep. The project’s goal is to help jeepney drivers who were displaced from work due to the community quarantine. This will also provide more affordable options for business owners who are heavily reliant on the delivery app as they move essential goods and shift their business online and delivery-enabled to adapt to the new norm.

Apple pie, McDonald’s, and Jeep—there are no other things that give off a strong whiff of Americana than these. Jeep, in particular, is associated as the freedom fighter that trampled on the Nazis. It’s probably more G.I. Joe than Duke and Sgt. Slaughter put together. So, what happens when this unequivocal piece of what makes America great gets made in, of all places, China?

2020 Geely Azkarra Luxury 48V EMS vs 2021 Subaru Forester e-Boxer

Subaru made the news when they announced that they’re bringing in the Forester e-Boxer into the Philippines. This move was supposed to make them the first mainstream brand to offer a hybrid-powered compact SUV. Set for a third quarter 2020 launch date, the Forester found itself sabotaged by an unexpected carmaker: Geely.

Subaru is taking vehicle safety very seriously, and to show that, they’ve begun to offer a retrofit kit (at least in Japan) that gives owners the ability to add one important EyeSight-like function: pedal misapplication mitigation.

You’re looking at the cheapest electric vehicle from a global automaker in China: the SAIC-GM-Wuling Hongguan Mini EV.

Mahindra plans to give up control of struggling South Korean unit SsangYong Motor, the Indian automaker’s managing director said, as it looks to exit money-losing ventures amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Making history, Philippine-made big bikes will finally roll out of a local assembly line. The announcement was made, appropriately on Independence Day by KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing, Inc. (KAMMI) which formalized the roll out of the KTM 790 Duke and 790 Duke Adventure at its Laguna plant.

Given the current situation surrounding the global pandemic and efforts to contain it, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to predict that there will be no big motor show happening in the Philippines. True enough, after initially announcing a postponement, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is officially off this 2020.

Honda Cars PH Recalling 10,136 Vehicles to Faulty Fuel Pumps

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. has finally pinpointed 10,136 units of 2018-2019 Accord, BR-V, Mobilio, City, Civic, Jazz, HR-V, and CR-V models that will require a recall due to faulty pumps. These units have fuel pumps that contain defective impellers that can inflate. This can cause the pump from rotating, causing the engine to stall or fail to start.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) will soon go cashless on all toll roads it operates, as the conglomerate continues to find ways to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and save more lives.

The world doesn’t have to wait long for Mazda to unveil its next-generation BT-50 pickup truck. Teased with this shadowy picture, it’ll be shown in full next week.

Hold on tight for the ride of your life! This June 15, for the first time in digital space, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is officially unveiling the well-loved entry-level hatchback, the Toyota Wigo!

Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation (SFP), the general distributor of Fuso Commercial Vehicles in the Philippines has brought in the all-new Fuso Super Great truck tractor models.

As the Philippines gradually eases into what could be called the “new normal” of everyday life, and the government declaring the National Capital Region, as well as the rest of the country, under general community quarantine (GCQ), businesses—including automotive dealerships—are now allowed to resume operations, albeit following the guidelines set under GCQ that aims to minimize the further spread of a still-ongoing pandemic.

Have you found yourself struggling behind the wheel after the lockdown? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

The next round of the pickup wars is upon us. It’s all but officially confirmed that the Ford Ranger is due for a full model change by next year.

As part of its commitment to enforce health and safety measures against COVID-19, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has deployed new thermal cameras at select high-traffic LRT-1 stations for use in entry screening. LRT-1 resumed its operations last 1 June 2020 after receiving the green light from the government under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines.

Holy Crap! Someone Made a Honda Brio "Type R"

It was bound to happen. After countless Honda Civic owners started regressing into adolescence by slapping on a Type R body kit, it was only a matter of time when the rest of the Honda line-up would also get “Type R-ified.”

Transportation challenges brought about by the COVID-19 situation have convinced a number of commuters to seek personal modes of transport. And with more challenging financial situation, customers are looking for affordable deals for brand new cars, while others opt for used cars. But how can customers be assured of the quality of used cars?

Audi Philippines is again mounting its pioneering and successful sales promotion event which the company first held last year. The second edition, called the Audi Factory Warehouse Sale 2.0, offers significant price reductions on all Audi models, made possible through the special support extended by Audi AG.

MG Philippines enters the new normal with the “MG Back on the Road” sales promo, which offers competitive zero- or low downpayment options, or a choice of generous cash discounts on select, brand-new MG cars.

Aside from sales promotions, Motor Image Pilipinas is welcoming back owners with aftersales promos. As the country embarks on a “new normal,” Subaru is offering several service packages to make sure Subarus are maintained in tip-top shape.

The Refreshed 2021 Subaru XV Gets an Extra Dose of Power

Subaru has just released the refreshed-for-2021 XV compact crossover for the U.S. market. Aside from packing standard all-wheel drive and active torque vectoring control, the Subaru XV will now be made available with a more powerful, yet surprisingly economical engine.

Ford Philippines is making vehicle ownership easier and more affordable this June with special deals and promotions for its pick-ups, SUVs, and the Ford Transit van.

Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines is now offering many ways to own a Subaru this June.

Honda can’t seem to catch a break. The Japanese automaker reports that a possible cyberattack is affecting its global computer network.

Just when you think you’ve memorized all the Chinese brands in the country, get ready for a new one: Changan.

For Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the nearly three months that Filipino motorists and families spent with each other in the relative safety of their homes during the various stages of the community quarantines have imparted valuable life lessons and inspiration to live a life unlike they had before.

Toyota Motor Philippines is extending its Better Days Ahead program, offering Filipino buyers deals, flexible financing schemes, and rebates until the end of June.

Not to be confused with Toyota Motor Philippines’s “Better Days Ahead” promo, Chevrolet has its own promo, “Better Roads Ahead”which throws in free two-year preventive maintenance service (PMS) along with an all-in low downpayment on its Trailblazer, Colorado, Trax, Spark, Sail, and Malibu.

A reader sent in an anonymous tip saying that Ford vehicles may be suffering from swelling lug nuts. The issue, the reader says, can potentially make replacing a spare tire impossible, and that it could also pose a safety issue. What’s happening here?

You Can Now Buy This Overlanding Kit for Your Subaru XV

Read up, Subaru XV owners. If you’re looking for an aftermarket inspiration for your new compact crossover, why don’t you consider building one to this: the Subaru XV Overland.

Less than two weeks after it was closed last May 28, San Miguel Corporation’s SLEX Alabang Southbound Entry reopened on June 7—eight days ahead of schedule.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is launching a new feature on its website: an Auto Loan Link page.

Listen, this isn’t a history lesson of how Chinese manufacturers have leveled up over the recent years. This isn’t also about how this particular one, Geely now happens to own brands like Volvo and Lotus. Instead, it’s best to discuss the matter at hand: the Azkarra. See, Geely’s made inroads in the Philippines thanks to its mix of high specs and low prices. It’s a great way to draw the curious to, at the very least, check out their cars. But does all that new-fangled really translate to a world-class drive?

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