26 April 2012
Nissan offers oil change discounts at P1,188 this summer
Before hitting the roads this summer, Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. (NMPI) is helping its customers get their vehicles ready for an out-of-town trip by offering a special discounted oil change package. Owners of the Sentra, Grand Livina, X-TRAIL, and Teana will be able to avail an oil change package this hot summer season, inclusive of mineral oil and oil filter, for only P1,188. The promo package also includes a FREE 31-point checkup. On top of that, for additional services recommended by service advisers, customers who avail of the promo will be entitled to a 15% discount on labor for parts and is valid within one month after the oil change service.
Published in
Contest and Promos
25 April 2012
Honda redefines the S.U.V. with the all-new 2012 CR-V
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
When Honda launched the 1st generation CR-V back in 1997, hardly anyone in the Philippines knew what a “compact SUV” was, let alone knew what to do with it. Bigger than a car, smaller than a 4x4, and carried less people than an MPV, it was most definitely a luxury only for the people who can afford it. But in 15 years of experience, we've learned that, what we now call crossovers, are actually good for daily drives, out of town trips, and most importantly, showing off how big your paycheck really is. Honda, however, is making us rethink what we know about the usual SUV with the all-new 2012 CR-V.
Published in
Newly Launched
25 April 2012
Lamborghini previews Urus, Competition has a Cow
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A.
If the name “Urus” doesn’t sound quite as evocative as names like “Aventador”, “Diablo”, and “Murcielago” (mercy, oh lawdie!), there’s a reason for that. The Urus (Ooh-roos) is a cattle breed halfway between fighting bulls and working bulls, noted for its tall, wide shoulders. It’s also known as an Auroch, but too many people know what that is... might as well call it “Angus.”
The Urus Concept is a 600 horsepower... thing... sitting halfway between a sports car and an SUV that promises to carry four people in style and to drive like nothing else on the road. Sounds familiar? Yes, it does. But don’t ask BMW or Porsche if they’re worried about the Urus eating into X6M and Cayenne Turbo sales.
They should be positively terrified.
Published in
Newly Launched
The top execs at Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the Korean automaker's official distributor in the Philippines, must have big smiles on their faces when sales jumped up by 44% in the first quarter of 2012. From January to March of this year, they were able to sell 6,767 units compared to the 4,712 in the same period last year. Leading the way to HARI's boost in performance is the strong sales of its Passenger Car (PC) models such as the i10, Accent, and the Elantra. A total of 4,297 units were sold in just three months, which translates to an astounding 127% increase. And for the month of March alone, PC sales rose by 159% with 1,316 units sold compared to the 509 sold in the same month last year.
Published in
Industry Update
24 April 2012
Mazda bites back with the all-new 2012 Mazda 3
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Since the model's first debut in 2003, the Mazda 3 instantly became one of Mazda's best-selling nameplates in the Philippines and around the globe - a title which it still holds to this day. And now there's a new successor to the throne. Welcome the all-new 2012 Mazda 3.
If you're paying enough attention and did the math, you'd quickly realize that Mazda's second generation compact is actually about three years overdue when it was launched locally at the Mazda Expo last week. In fact, the rest of the world has been enjoying its blessings since 2010. But let me assure you, the all-new Mazda 3 is as young and well-equipped as its compact competitors and doesn't show its age, not even by a bit.
Published in
Newly Launched
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Only seven months have passed since the all-new CX-5 made its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and Mazda's latest crossover is finally here. Launched last week at the Mazda Revolution held at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, it would be the first vehicle in Mazda's line-up to adopt the ground-breaking SKYACTIV technology and 'KODO - Soul of motion' design theme. And while we got its initial P1,392,000 price tag spot on, we did didn't quite expect that the CX-5 would look this good in person.
Published in
Newly Launched
Tuason Racing School (TRS), the longest-running and only professional racing school in the country, is making the grassroots of racing even more accessible by setting up their very own go kart track in the south. Welcome to Global Karting Westgate (GKW), the first and only race track to feature a bridge and tunnel in the country.
Published in
Motorsports
20 April 2012
Audi buys Ducati, diesel Desmodromic to follow?
Words by Niky Tamayo
It's finally official. Audi, the "A" in VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group), has just purchased Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati for an as-yet undisclosed sum rumored to be in the neighborhood of $1.2 billion. Audi cites Ducati's expertise in progressive control technology, combustion chamber design, and lightweight construction as reasons for wanting the iconic sports bike marquee under the Audi umbrella.
We all know better. Audi wants Ducati because they're fast, exciting, and most importantly, loud. Three things that most Audis aren't.
Published in
Industry Update
