Before the year ends, Chevrolet Philippines' largest dealership in Metro Manila will rise in what is the the region's largest city. Chevrolet Commonwealth will sit on a 2,374 sq. meter parcel of land along the major thoroughfare of Quezon City and will sport Chevrolet's new Global Dealership Design. It's also in-line with the The Covenant Car Company Inc's (TCCC) plan to expand their nationwide dealership network to 24 before the end of 2012. This effectively doubles Chevrolet Philippines' dealer presence in the country from the time TCCCI took over the bow tie brand in 2009 where only 12 dealerships existed at the time.
Published in
Industry Update
27 June 2012
Kia refreshes the Sorento for 2014
Words by Rico Soriano | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors Corporation
The second generation Kia Sorento has been around since early 2010, and it’s about time that the model receives a much-needed facelift. So to refresh their beloved midsize crossover SUV, the Korean automaker teases the public with their upcoming 2014 Sorento.
While the rest of the body remains the same, notable changes for the midlife update include new head lights and tail lights which feature led lamps, more aggressively designed front and rear bumpers, and larger 19-inch alloy wheels. What's remarkable is that these changes actually clean up the Sorento's line , making it look a lot, lot more sophisticated and a little bit... European. As a matter of fact, the new tail lights are a bit Audi-like.
Published in
Newly Launched
27 June 2012
Nissan's newest dealership to rise in North EDSA
Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. (NMPI) is really picking up their game this 2012. After expanding its line-up with the addition of the Grand Livina Highway Star last May, they're stretching their boarders even further by opening their 23rd dealership in the country in North EDSA.
Scheduled to be formally inaugurated in July, Nissan North EDSA sits on a 5,000 sq. meter complex in Balintawak, Quezon City. It will feature a new and fully-equipped service facility that meets Nissan's global standards, complete with 21 work bays in the service workshop and a parking bay that can accommodate up to 10 cars.
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Industry Update
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
From observation, diesel-powered cars don’t sell as well here in the Philippines. While budget-conscious Filipinos love diesel SUVs, vans, and pick-up trucks, diesel cars often get the cold shoulder. Perhaps it’s simply because we’ve never really had hero diesel cars to look up to. When people think of a diesel SUV, it’s pretty easy to conjure up images of Land Cruisers and Patrols conquering the far flung jungles of the world. But for a diesel car, it’s usually a smoke-belching Isuzu Gemini or a dinky Hyundai Accent taxi weaving erratically through traffic that come to mind. Neither of which is as sexy as a big, burly SUV.
The great diesel cars have invariably all been German, with a price tag several times what most people would pay for a simple driving appliance. But the times are changing. Years ago, it would’ve been hard to imagine a car capable of both 20 km/l fuel economy and a 200+ km/h top speed, let alone one priced within reach of most middle class buyers. Today, we have two and, surprisingly, they’re both from America, the land of high-octane muscle cars. Roll out the Ford Focus TDCi and the Chevrolet Cruze VCDi.
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Comparo
Milo Rivera from the Fern C Racing Team had victory in his sights at the 5th leg of the 2012 Race Motorsports Club's (RMSC) Shell Helix National Slalom Series, held last June 10, 2012 at the Robinsons Nova Market. Rivera lead throughout most of the day, that is until Dr. Peewee Mendiola from the Big Chill Racing team pulled a blistering run out of the bag at the closing stages of the leg.
Mendiola's flawless 55.36 second run was only a mere one tenths of a second quicker than Rivera's best time, but it was more than enough to capture the Overall and Production Best Times of the Day and secured him his fifth consecutive win of this season. Rivera had to settle with second fastest with a time of 55.46 seconds, followed by Noel Rivera with his 55.60 second run.
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Slalom
It’s no secret that the wonderful people in Kia have fallen in love with football and they're determined more than ever to help the Azkals in their pursuit of excellence in sports. That's why, after a successful one-year partnership, the Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), Kia's exclusive distributor in the country, is extending their deal as the official transport provider for the Philippine Azkals.
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Industry Update
Words by Jopet Tocino | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Company
Japan - the land where some of the world's most outrageous ideas and things come from - has yet another one to add to the list. At the recent Tokyo Toy Show 2012, Toyota unveiled the Camette Concept. Named after the Japanese word for “care,” their latest “family-oriented” concept looks more like something that jumped out of Car Town than a would-be production car.
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Concept
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
Honda has taken a lot of stick for the all-new Civic. Many feel that it is too much of the same, that Honda has not invested enough in technical innovations, as if they’ve dropped the ball, fallen asleep at the wheel, or jumped the shark. But did the Civic really need changing? Granted, there are things I didn’t like about the previous car; but even until it was replaced, it was very good. It was spacious, lightweight, powerful, and economical. Never mind that it wasn’t the newest car on the market, it was still one of the best.
Hence, the FD Civic is a hard act to follow. This new Civic falls short in some ways, but improves upon the formula in others. While the Honda faithful may not be happy, it is undoubtedly a better car. Let’s break down the differences and see why.
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Compact
