02 July 2012
PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup gear up for 2013 Finale
After the dust had settled at the eliminations for the 2012 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki U23 National Cup, only 10 teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao remain standing for the 2013 Finale.
The elimination round was held last February to May 2012, where 33 teams vied for the prestigious PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup, which is a local adaptation of the AFF Suzuki Cup organized by the ASEAN Football Federation for the competing national teams in South East Asia. Luzon qualifiers include football associations from Masbate, Laguna, and Baguio - Benguet, while the Visayas regional qualifiers were Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Cebu. Lastly, North Cotabato, Iligan - Lanao del Norte, Davao and Zamboanga del Norte - Dipolog from Mindanao round up the Top 10.
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News
29 June 2012
Mercedes-Benz refines the SLS AMG into a GT
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Launched in 2009, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar was a modern take of the iconic Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” from the 50's. Inheriting its distinctive gull wing doors, the SLS AMG is equipped with a whopping 563 horsepower 6.2L V8 under the hood and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. It all sounds good so far, right? Well, what if I told you that there's a new improved version of the SLS AMG that packs even more power and goes even faster than the one we have now?
Poised not as an addition to the SLS range, but rather a replacement to the current model, hold on to your seats for the new and improved 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT.
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Newly Launched
This July 4 to 7, 2012, 134 student teams from 18 countries all over Asia and the Middle East will line up on the grid at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia to see who can travel the farthest on a single liter of fuel. This is the 2012 Shell Eco-marathon Asia.
Six university teams from the Philippines will be participating in this year's competition. The roster includes De La Salle University - Manila, Technological Institute of the Philippines, University of the Philippines - Diliman, and University of San Carlos. Last year, the University of the Philippines’ Team Kidlat won the Diesel Fuel Award under the Urban Concept category by achieving 60 km/L with their car. Meanwhile, the Mapua Institute of Technology won second place for the Safety Award under the Prototype Category and ran 186 km/L of gasoline. The Philippine contingent surely hopes to do one better this year.
Published in
Motorsports
Words by Niky Tamayo
Though it’s something many of us in the auto industry knew was coming, it’s still saddening to hear that Ford Philippines will be closing down the Ford Motor Company Philippines (FMCP) plant at the end of the year, as they close down operations with the rollout of the last Ford Escape, and perhaps the last Ford, to be produced in the Philippines.
This is not to say that Ford is leaving the Philippines completely. Ford Group Philippines is staying. The Ford dealership network is staying. Ford sales are better than ever. But in a tough, competitive global economy, production streamlining means everything, and despite endless deliberations and discussions on how to continue on in the Philippines, Ford is pulling the plug on its historic plant, simply because it no longer makes financial sense to build in the Philippines.
Published in
Features
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.
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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
