Review: 2015 Hyundai Sonata GLS Premium

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Automakers generally follow one of two paths in introducing an all-new vehicle. Some take a conservative approach and choose to raise each bar (performance, comfort, efficiency, etc.) marginally, in an effort to please all and alienate none. Others take a strategic risk and focus on specific attributes in an attempt to shift perceptions about their vehicle.
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Honda Cars Philippines Records 1,700-Unit Sales in a Single Month

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines, reports that it sold 1,700 vehicles for the month of August. To date, a total of 12,167 Honda vehicles have been sold in 2015. This indicates a 48% increase compared to its sales over the same period last year.
The lone locally-produced Honda vehicle, the City, remains the Company’s best seller contributing 44 percent to HCPI’s August sales.

Furthermore, the recently launched Mobilio shows a lot of promise as it registered a 22 percent contribution to HCPI August sales. For the month of August, the Mobilio garnered 830 new reservations proving that customers have a strong desire for this type of vehicle in the market today. The Mobilio is Honda’s first seven-seater Multi-purpose Utility Vehicle (MUV) that addresses the market’s need for an affordable family vehicle.

Ford Palawan Opens

Ford Philippines expands its dealership network with the opening of Ford Palawan.

Under the leadership of Willy Tee Ten, Ford Palawan is his 8th Ford dealership to open.

The Ford Palawan dealership is a one-floor facility covering a total area of 1,500 square meters, with a 5-vehicle showroom display and 4-bay service area.

Ford Palawan is located in North National Highway, Barangay,  San Jose, Puerto Princesa City.

“Our Ford dealerships are the touch points we have to our customers, offering them the quality customer service experience that they deserve. We continue our expansion in the Philippines to cater to our widest lineup of Ford vehicle offerings in the market”, said Kay Hart, managing director of Ford Philippines.

This year, Ford has established dealerships also in Ormoc and Sta. Rosa, bringing the current number of Ford dealerships to 39.

Ford remains on track with its plan to expand itsnationwide dealer network to 40 locations across the country by end of the year with the opening of Ford Marilao in November.

Car Awards Group Launches Search for 2015 Car of the Year - Philippines

The Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI), the country’s premier automotive award-giving body, formally launched their 2015 Car of the Year-Philippines (COTY-P) and Truck of the Year-Philippines (TOTY-P) testing season today, at ceremonies held at the Manila Polo Club.

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Aston Martin Opens Stunning Showroom in Manila

Aston Martin’s ongoing expansion in the important Asia Pacific region continues to gather pace with the British luxury sports car maker officially opening its dealership in Manila.
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Suzuki Renews Contract with Kiefer Ravena

Recognizing the power of sports in the Philippine market, Suzuki Philippines (SPH) renewed its contract with three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and 2010 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Under-18 Championship Mythical Team member Kiefer Ravena, extending his endorsement agreement with the company for another year.
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TMP Tech's Pioneer Graduates to Join Toyota's After-Sales Workforce

Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology (TMP Tech) holds its first commencement exercises with 110 students graduating from their 2-year Toyota General Job Automotive Servicing Course.  These graduates will join the local and overseas Toyota workforce.
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Review: 2015-2016 Mazda6 Sports Wagon

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Every car enthusiast loves a wagon. Whether or not he’ll admit that in public is another matter, but ask him what comprises his dream garage and 100 percent of the time, there will be a wagon in that list. The common folk now see them as something dorky, especially since you’ve got butched-up wagons called crossovers offering more ‘bang for the buck’. But whatever they put in these raised, cladded wagons, they’ll never be as beautiful to look at or drive. The wagon is essentially the best all-around in the automotive world. It’s a car with all the benefits and none of the side effects; it handles tidily, doesn’t take the space of an entire continent, and offers practical and usable space.
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Foton to Compete in SUV Market with Toplander; Philippine Market Debut Set at Foton Big Show 2015

Foton is getting ready to field its first-ever Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in the Philippines with the market launch of the Toplander. Expected to be priced competitively, the Toplander is poised to steal sales away from the Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) and entry-level MPV and SUV market.
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Rolls-Royce Dawn: Don't Call It a Wraith Convertible

Rolls-Royce is bringing back an iconic nameplate once more with the introduction of the Dawn—it’s newest 2+2 ultra-luxury open top grand tourer. A contemporary take on what the company calls the ‘Casino’ lifestyle, the Dawn is designed to attract people with relish both freedom and sophistication.
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Nissan Gripz Concept is the Modern Day Safari Rally 240Z

What do you get when you decide to modernize the iconic Safari Rally-winning Nissan 240Z? The new Gripz Concept. Presented as a design study at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Gripz Concept blends the ability and practicality of a compact crossover with the excitement and performance of a sports car.
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BYD Philippines Marks Second Year with Intensity 2.0 Promo

Following its growing global presence and significant strides in Electric Vehicles, BYD, through Solar Transport and Automotive Resources Corp. (STAR Corp.), the exclusive distributor of BYD vehicles in the Philippines, is celebrating its second year with a promo entitled “Intensity 2.0”, which will surely make the experience of owning a BYD car ever more rewarding.
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Mazda Koeru Concept Previews All-New CX-9

Mazda showed off an all-new crossover concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Called the Koeru, it’s a preview of the second-generation CX-9 which is expected to debut as a production model probably as early as the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the year.
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Motor Image Pilipinas Successfully Holds Subaru Marathon

Motor Image Pilipinas held the first-ever Subaru Marathon last September 13 at the Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay City. Done in partnership with RunRio, the premier running events organizer in the country, it attracted over 6,000 registered runners for four different race categories: 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K. The 42K race kicked off as early as 2:00 AM with runners going through Mall of Asia, Roxas Boulevard, Buendia going to Kalayaan Avenue, passing by Subaru Manila Bay and Global City showrooms. After the races, runners and guests were treated to fun activities at the race village that included music from DJ Kat.
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Innovate Not Imitate: the MiLi Story

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Harry Zhu is not your typical company CEO. Eschewing a suit for polo and slacks, he arrives five minutes early after driving himself from his company headquarters to meet us for dinner. Relatively quiet, he’s passionate and animated whenever he talks about innovation. Then again, you don’t expect anything less from the guy running MiLi—the Chinese company that made a name for itself with power banks. Mr. Zhu, or Harry as he prefers to be called, isn’t here to talk about power banks. With just about every Tom, Dick, and Harry producing it, he understands that for MiLi to grow, they must remain innovative.
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Bentley Introduces Most Powerful SUV with Bentayga

Bentley finally took the wraps off its first foray into the ultra-luxury SUV genre with the Bentayga and right off the bat; it’s promising to be the world’s most powerful, most luxurious, and most exclusive SUV in the world. In true Bentley fashion, the Bentayga combines unparalleled luxury and effortless performance while still being true to being a bespoke vehicle designed, engineered, and built in Crewe, UK.
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Ford Continues to Inspire in One Better World Project

Ford Motor Company announces a new initiative that strengthen its leadership in community service and provide employees an innovative opportunity to explore their growing interest in civic engagement and volunteering.
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Don Bosco Students Graduate from Volkswagen Philippines Technician Apprenticeship Program

Volkswagen Philippines, the authorized importer and distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in the country, recently presented the certificates of completion to eight less privileged yet deserving students of Don Bosco Technical and Vocational Education and Training Center (TVET) Tondo and Don Bosco Technological Institute Makati.
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Honda Blows the Lid Off All-New 10th Generation 2016 Civic

Honda has finally pulled the wraps off its much-awaited tenth-generation Civic which will go on sale in markets such as the US as early as the third quarter of this year. The 2016 Civic is an all-new design from the ground-up that aims to rectify the lackluster reception towards the current model. The all-new Civic also forms the basis of a family of models including the first-ever global Type-R model.
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Review: 2015 Honda Odyssey EX-V Navi

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s not every day you get excited about driving a luxury MPV: they’re cumbersome and unwieldy. They’re just too big to drive around Manila and sometimes too big to fit in the garage. And unless you plan to chauffeur drive it (and some motoring journos do this despite an explicit no-no in the test drive agreement) or drive it out of town, they’re at the bottom of any must-drive list. Probably even below a pickup truck. But the all-new Honda Odyssey’s different. For starters, the proportions are actually humane. It’s actually shorter than the Accord. And for that, it gets your attention.
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Volkswagen Introduces Larger All-New Tiguan in Frankfurt

After selling some 2.64 million copies worldwide, Volkswagen is ready to move its compact crossover, the Tiguan to the big leagues. Moving to the new MQB architecture that also underpins the all-new Golf and Passat, the 2016 Tiguan marks the beginning of the brand’s SUV offensive and will actually be available in two wheelbases with the long wheelbase model specifically designed for markets such as the US and China.
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Hyundai Shows Off Sixth-Generation 2016 Elantra

Hyundai has finally showed off the successor to its aging compact car with the ceremonial debut of the all-new sixth generation Elantra (Avante in Korea) at the Korean car maker’s Namyang R&D Center. Wearing the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language also seen in the Sonata and Tucson, the Elantra aims to build on the global popularity of the outgoing model by adding a sleek and dynamic appearance to its otherwise competitive platform.
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Ford Philippines Sales Dip in August, Expected to Rise with New Ranger, All-New Everest

Ford Philippines today announced August retail sales of 1,484 units – driven by continued strength in demand for the EcoSport and Fiesta – helping its year-to-date sales rise eight percent year-over-year to 13,616 units.

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Show Off Your Transformation and Win a Nissan Sylphy

Nissan Philippines Inc. makes good use of old throwback photos with the Nissan Sylphy Transformation promo.
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Honda Cars Philippines Announces Recall for Selected Civic, CR-V, Jazz, City, and Insight Models (w/ Full List)

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) initiated a voluntary preventive measure campaign for select CR-V (2007-2011), Jazz (2006, 2009-2012), Civic (2006-2011), City (2003-2011) and Insight (2011-2012) sold in the country due to a suspected defect in the inflator of the driver side airbag.
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CAC Rewards Loyal Customers, Accord Them Title of "Kia Advocates"

A customer’s trust goes a long way. It is one of those intangibles that play a huge role in the mind of a customer deciding what to buy or who to go to.

For Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in the Philippines, getting the public’s trust equates to getting loyal supporters or the so-called Kia Advocates.
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This is Who We Are: The Mazda Story

Photos by Ulysses Ang

One integral personality that sets the people of Hiroshima apart is their resilience. Though, the Mazda people were all smiles, deep down, they have hearts of defying convention and overcoming challenges. This very attitude is what defines Mazda is as a company and it shows in everything from their products to their philosophy.
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2015 Subaru Palm Challenge Team Now Complete; Set for Asian Face-Off in November

Motor Image Pilipinas has completed all three legs of its annual Palm Challenge with the conclusion of the Manila leg held last Saturday at the Bonifacio Global City. With that, the Philippine team composed of ten individuals, are set to compete at the Asian Face-Off in Singapore for a chance to win a brand-new Subaru Forester worth P 1,398,000.
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Use of EJeepneys May Ease Traffic Woes - EVAP President

Rommel Juan, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines said that if more electric jeepneys are deployed for public transport use, the traffic situation might improve.
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Kia Extends Deals on Rio and Sportage

Kia gives you and your family more reasons to love the season with its latest offer. Until September 24, 2015 only, the Kia Rio and Kia Sportage are available at significantly discounted prices!

Now, you can enjoy Kia’s well-loved Rio 1.4 EX sedan at P 40,000 off of its original price bringing its cost down to P 695,000 for the M/T variant and P 735,000 for the A/T variant.

Through Kia’s Cool Weather Specials, you can also save a massive P 80,000 off of the Kia Sportage 2.0 A/T 4x2 Gas variant. The SUV’s captivating look and impressive prowess under the hood can now be yours for as low as P 1,160,000.

And if you trade-up an old vehicle, Kia is adding more to your savings count! Save P 10,000 more for the Kia Rio and P 20,000 more for the Kia Sportage.

Chevron Celebrates 80 Years of Delo

Chevron Lubricants, maker of the Delo brand of technologically advanced engine oils, lubricants and coolants, celebrated its 80th year of Delo brand.
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First Drive: 2016 Hyundai Tucson GLS

Photos by Ulysses Ang

For most people, 2009 doesn’t seem like that long ago. For Hyundai though, this particular year was when everything began to change thanks to the introduction of Fluidic Sculpture and the second-generation Tucson. The swoopy, expressive lines introduced in the compact crossover enabled the Korean car brand to raise its flag not as a manufacturer of affordable utilitarian transport, but as a company that builds fashionable, well-equipped, and high-quality cars.
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Kia Shows Off All-new 2016 Sportage Before Global Debut

A few days before its global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show on the 15th, Kia Motors has taken the wraps off its fourth-generation Sportage. The all-new model promises a host of new technological features and better quality to go with the attractive design.
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Volkswagen Philippines Brings in Award-Winning Passat (w/ Video)

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Volkswagen Philippines will officially be entering the executive sedan segment with the all-new 2016 Passat (B8) beginning in October of this year. However, as part of a series of preview nights, VW has given members of the media a sneak peek of the 2015 European Car of the Year.
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Suzuki Philippines Updates Swift 1.2 and Swift Dzire 1.2

Suzuki Philippines has given their pint-sized bestsellers, the Swift 1.2 and Swift Dzire 1.2 some cosmetic enhancements to round off its year. These two models, known for their great value and fuel efficiency, now get improved looks though no mechanical changes have been made.
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First Drive: 2016 Ford Focus 1.5 EcoBoost

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Ford Press

Settling down in my hotel room in Adelaide ahead of driving the 2016 Focus, there was a bottle of water placed on the side table. Contemplating whether or not the 7.50-dollar price tag was worth quenching my thirst, I noticed something peculiar stamped at the bottom: 1.5-liters. Literally, the displacement of the Focus’s new engine was in my hands. Obviously, this was a coincidence, but it also drives home the point of just how small this engine is going to be.
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Isuzu Presented Technical Graduates; Welcomes New Batch of Scholars

Continuing what it started five years ago, Isuzu Motors Ltd. (IML) Japan in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and World Vision Philippines bids farewell to another batch of successful service technician graduates.
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Own a Subaru with P 78,000 Down Promo

Those looking to reward themselves with a brand-new Subaru this holiday season should consider Motor Image Pilipinas’s new Early Holiday Low Down Payment deals.

Applicable to the Subaru XV, Forester, Outback, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and WRX STI, you can get them with a down payment as low as P 78,000. This makes it a lot easier to own the brand’s unique mix of technologies that espouse performance, comfort, handling, and safety.

This offer is only good until September 31, 2015.

For more information about this promotion, visit any of the Subaru showrooms located nationwide: EDSA – Greenhills, Bonifacio Global City, Manila Bay, Alabang, Sta. Rosa, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, and Cagaan de Oro.

Toyota Motor Philippines Offers Smart Advantage with 2015 New Avanza (w/ Brochure)

The best-selling compact MPV in the country has received a fresh update for 2015 to keep it in touch with its recently launched competitors. Since its introduction to the Philippine market in 2006, the Avanza has already sold more than 50,000 units. And now, with this new revamp, Toyota Motor Philippines is confident that it’ll remain the preferred choice in its segment.
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Petron Offers Special Bonus Points for Value Card Usage

Petron Corporation, the country’s leading oil company, is giving its loyal Petron Value Card holders even more reasons to smile with the introduction of special bonus points.
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DENR Certifies Entire Honda Line-Up as EURO-4 Compliant

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) proudly announces that its automobiles are now EURO 4 certified. Initially having obtained the certification for its locally-manufactured City; HCPI has also secured EURO 4 certification for the following vehicle models: Brio, Brio Amaze, Mobilio, CR-V, Civic, Jazz, HR-V, Accord, Odyssey, and CR-Z.  As early as June 2015, HCPI has actively sought, and obtained EURO 4 emission standard certification from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its entire vehicle line up.
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