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October 19, 2020

San Miguel Corporation Rolls Out Bicycle Program for Employees

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has rolled out a program to provide employees, and its extended workforce with bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation as part of its continuing efforts to ensure safety at workplaces, and provide its workforce convenience amidst travel restrictions across much of the country.

Eighteen (18) Hyundai Starex Cargo ambulance units complete with medical equipment were turned over to the Department of Health (DOH) Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) by Hyundai Biñan under Hyundai Laguna, Inc.

Ford had big news over the weekend confirming that its limited-edition, high-performance Ford Mustang Mach 1 is going global for the first time ever.

Volkswagen didn’t have to wait long to launch a more powerful version of the Golf GTI with the new GTI Clubsport. Based off the all-new Mk8 Golf, it produces more power than the current Golf R while still retaining the front-wheel drive layout. Bonkers, right?

Gassing up at Caltex stations is now made more exciting this holiday season with the new rewards promo launched by Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), in partnership with 7-Eleven Philippines. Until December 31, 2020, motorists fueling up at Caltex stations with 7-Eleven stores nationwide will earn e-stamps convertible to CLiQQ wallet credits.

Toyota Motor PH Confirms Local Units Affected by Faulty Fuel Pump

Update: Toyota Motor Philippines releases the full list of affected models (10/21).

During the launch of the 2021 Fortuner, Toyota Motor Philippines has confirmed that it’s been holding a recall (aka service campaign) surrounding the fuel pump.

Toyota Motor Philippines is re-asserting its lead in the mid-sized SUV segment with the launch of the refreshed 2021 Fortuner. The country’s best-selling SUV, the Fortuner gets a refreshed design, new features, and two new variants that respond to the ever-changing tastes of the Filipino market.

Professional road testers and seasoned automotive journalists from The Sunday Times—the most widely circulated and prestigious newspaper in the UK—have named the all-new Bentley Flying Spur as the Luxury Car of the Year in the publication’s 2020 Motor Awards.

iPhone maker Foxconn Technology is getting into the EV business and to do that, has partnered with Taiwan-based Yulon Group (the ones that used to run Nissan in the Philippines) to develop and manufacture a new open-source EV platform which it calls MIH.

After scoring the highest in J.D. Power’s 2020 APEAL Study, GAC Motor scores a hat trick by ranking highest among Chinese brands in the 2020 J.D. Power China Initial Quality Study or IQS.

You Can Now Get a Mitsubishi Xpander with a 72-Month Installment Plan

From now until October 30, 2020, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines is offering its best deals for the Montero Sport, Xpander, and Mirage G4 with light and flexible plans made available through the Mitsubishi Octoberfest promo.

With all the options available in the market today, finding the perfect vehicle that strikes the perfect balance between style, performance, and reliability has never been more challenging.

Well, we didn’t have to wait very long. After its global debut as the Geely Haoyue, Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP) is confirming its arrival to the Philippine market with a brand-new name: the 2021 Geely Okavango.

After being unceremoniously leaked at a dealer parking lot last week, Toyota has finally given its 2021 Innova the global reveal it deserves. The first market to receive the upgraded MPV? Indonesia.

Like it or not, the Chinese carmakers are here, and they’ve pretty much overturned the pecking order. Their disruptive pricing means that in a P 200,000 price spread—P 1 million to P 1.2 million—there are at least five new offerings in the market. It’s become so competitive (and lucrative) that Ford, once so proud of their branding, had to turn to China for a quick badge slap job just to get a piece of the action. In such a competitive landscape, where does the Chery Tiggo 7 lie in all this? Time to find out.

In the lead up to the much-anticipated launch of the all-new City, Honda Cars Philippines has now revealed the powertrain, available colors, and variants.

After showing it off as a design concept, Nissan is almost ready to unveil its B-segment SUV: the Magnite. But before that though, the carmaker just had to prove its mettle.

Ford Philippines’s Truck Month is giving would-be Ranger Raptor owners the best deal yet with a worry-free ownership package valued at P 100,000.

Honda PH is Finally Launching the 2021 City and CR-V Next Week

Update 1: Honda Cars PH has just revealed the engine, variants, and colors of the all-new City (10/16).

As part of their 30th Anniversary celebration, earlier Honda Cars Philippines said that they will be launching two new vehicles this month. After some speculation, we now know what those two vehicles are: the 2021 CR-V and the 2021 City.

Kia Philippines tried a different launch tactic for its 2021 Stonic sub-compact SUV. Instead of resorting to endless teasers or holding a totally unrelated online concert, they’ve stuck to the basics: give buyers a pre-launch offer that’s irresistible. This has paid off handsomely for the Ayala-backed Korean automaker.

No, Autosweep RFID hasn’t forgotten. While EasyTrip, the exclusive tag issuer of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation-operated expressways has the leg up when it comes to RFID interconnectivity, San Miguel Corporation-owned Autosweep says interoperability from their end isn’t far behind.

Mercedes-Benz will drop manual transmissions and dramatically reduce the number of combustion engine variants it offers as part a cost-cutting drive by parent Daimler to help ramp up electric investment.

W Express Corporation (formerly known as DHL Philippines) expands its fleet with the acquisition of two units of the Dongfeng Captain E light duty truck.

Mitsubishi Motors finally revealed the 2021 Eclipse Cross—a compact crossover that promises sleeker styling, confidence-inspiring driving dynamics, and improved comfort. And the biggest news is that it will also be made available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant in select markets as well.

Updated: Here is the all-new 2021 mu-X (10/28).

The Philippines has yet to experience the latest D-Max pickup truck, and now Isuzu has officially teased its all-new SUV derivative: the 2021 mu-X. Set for a global unveil on October 28, the all-new Isuzu mu-X will set the house on fire; at least based on the official teaser photos that Isuzu released.

AutoPerformance PH, Brembo’s official Philippine distributor is introducing several digital platforms to cater to a changing automotive aftermarket landscape that values a strong online presence.

The global Takata airbag recall isn’t complete yet, and now, we might be facing a new recall surrounding Takata seat belts. Though it is best known for the green belts used by the aftermarket scene (see lead photo), Takata is actually the top seat belt maker in Japan with a market share of about 40 percent (30 percent globally).

Vehicle Importers, Distributors See 212 Percent Sales Growth in Q3

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) reports a 212 percent increase in sales, from 4,955 units sold in the second quarter of the year to 15,471 units sold in the third quarter.

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) announced today that Euisun Chung, Executive Vice Chairman, was inaugurated to the position of Chairman of the Group. Chairman Mong-Koo Chung was inaugurated to the position of Honorary Chairman.

Purchasing a brand-new Nissan vehicle has been made easier with more savings and discounts with the “Safer Drives and Deals” promo that runs until the end of the month.

Mercedes-Benz is looking to electrify their entire line-up, including its all-conquering G-Glass. While that it still a few years away, the German automaker did show a technology platform of what an electric car designed to go on extreme environments could look like with this, the EQC 4x4².

Leading mobility company Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has recently turned over to Philippine General Hospital (PGH) 20 units of air purifiers donated by Denso Thailand. These portable devices called Denso Plasmacluster Ion Generator suppress and remove airborne viruses, molds, and allergens in small spaces with limited air circulation, making them ideal for use in some of the state hospital’s rooms, and inside the cars and shuttles being used by its healthcare workers.

SMC Completes Skyway Stage 3 Ahead of Schedule

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang announced that over the weekend, construction of the entire 17.93-km stretch of the much-awaited Skyway 3 project, finally linking Southern and Northern Luzon seamlessly, has been completed.

Motor Image Pilipinas’s much awaited Kansha Festival is happening. If you’ve been putting off that service visit, this may be the best time to go so you can enjoy up to 30 percent in discounts. Best yet? It’s happening for an entire month—from October 16, 2020 to November 14, 2020 across all authorized Subaru dealerships.

Those doubting the safety of the Geely Coolray can put all those doubts to rest. The Chinese carmaker’s compact crossover just scored an impressive 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.

Toyota’s newest compact crossover, the Corolla Cross scored a perfect 5-star safety rating at its recent ASEAN New Car Assessment Program or NCAP test. But there’s a caveat.

The success of its “Mitsubishi Rollback” promo has prompted Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) to extend it until October 31, 2020.

Motostrada Philippines, Inc. marks the arrival of two open-top supercars in the country, a clear design that they remain bullish despite the prevailing market conditions brought upon by the coronavirus pandemic.

Andre Varquez and Luis Moreno clinched the fastest times and were hailed as champions in Race 1 of Phoenix Pulse Formula V1 Virtual Cup, broadcast at the Tuason Racing Facebook Page last Saturday, October 10.

Back in May, Hoonigan Racing announced that for their latest Gymkhana video series, they’re going back to their roots, to the brand that started it all: Subaru. Now, they’ve shown off what could be regarded as the wildest WRX STI that will be used by Travis Pastrana.

Hyundai PH Teases Venue Sub-compact SUV

Update 1: Hyundai PH has revealed its launch date: October 22 (10/16).

Is Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) going to spoil Kia Stonic’s party? In a cryptic social media post, the exclusive importer and distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines posted what looks to be some hip party goer with a copy that reads, “See you!” (see photo below).

Barely two months after its successful launch of the G50 MPV, Maxus Philippines will be adding a compact SUV to their line-up. It is confirmed: the Ayala-led exclusive importer and distributor will bring in the 2021 D60 compact SUV.

“I proposed to my wife in the car,” says 39 year-old JP Artificio from the Philippines, remembering some of his happiest days with the Nissan California. And he did in style. “I recorded myself on audio and then mixed it in with our song and played it in the car. At the right time, I got outside the car and went around to my wife’s side where I asked her to finally marry me. I’d have to say that was the most special moment I’ve ever had with that car.”

September was a big month for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) as it closed the month with a total of 5,384 retail sales. MMPC’s feat is a 205 percent increase versus its prior month performance.

Mazda has been taking their approach to premium the same way the Germans have: plug very conceivable niche. It may not feel it, but the carmaker actually has five SUVs in its product range—that’s as many as Honda (three) and Subaru (two) combined. And though Toyota has seven, its price spread is rather large—P 3.967 million compared to Mazda’s P 1.65-million. With such a dizzying array of choices crammed into a small price bracket, where does the CX-8 fit into all this?

Lexus PH Extends Zero Percent to 36-Month Term

There is a certain satisfaction that comes from taking the extended way to your destination. This is especially true if you enjoy driving and can appreciate the machinery that connects you to the road underneath. That feeling is further enhanced when you are behind the wheel of a Lexus. When the car you are driving has been engineered with cutting-edge technology and was built to the highest standards, you would choose the scenic route all the time.

Amazon just revealed their new custom zero emissions electric delivery van that’s expected to hit the road in the U.S. by next year. Part of their pledge to be net zero carbon by 2040, Amazon, in partnership with Rivian, will produce 10,000 of these vans by 2022, and by 2030, 100,000.

While electronic parking brakes are becoming more mainstream in traditional cars and crossovers, traditional mechanical parking brakes are still the norm when it comes to larger SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans. Well, all that might change with this development from Hitachi Automotive Systems.

Honda has had enough of being a Mr. Nice Guy. With the debut of its refreshed 2021 Ridgeline, the Japanese brand says they’ll be aligning their branding towards one of toughness and ruggedness.

Some PH Ford Mustangs Might Suffer from a Breaking Brake Pedal

In case you missed it, Ford Philippines has confirmed that selected Mustang sportscars locally are affected by the latest round of recalls surrounding its brake pedal.

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