Displaying items by tag: focus

Displaying items by tag: focus The Philippines’ first and longest running on-line automotive magazine. http://kotse.com Tue, 21 May 2013 09:32:19 +0000 Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management en-gb All-new Focus helps bump up Ford PH's sales in March 2013 http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/industry-update/item/1341-ford-march-2013-sales-report http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/industry-update/item/1341-ford-march-2013-sales-report

While it might not be their best-selling model of the month, the all-new Focus was still able to help drive Ford Philippines' sales up by 61% in March 2013. That's because the blue oval brand was able to sell 101 units in March which is its strongest sales performance since the model was launched last year. Because of this, overall sales of the compact increased by 55% in the first quarter of 2013. Not bad Ford. Not bad at all.

On a bigger perspective, March's retail sales rose 61% year-over-year to 1,000 vehicles compared to 2012's mere 623. But do care to note that they were suffering from a supply shortage back then.

Like in February, the all-new Ranger still is Ford's best selling model of the month. It exceeded all expectations with retail sales of 295 units - 44 more than last month. This brings the tally to 724 Rangers sold since the year started. But we're expecting that number to go even higher as Ford just launched seven new variants to the line-up which includes the single and chassis cab versions, and the range-topping Ranger Wildtrak.

Meanwhile, the Everest delievered yet another strong month with sales reaching 281 units. And to put rumors of an upcoming all-new model to rest, Ford displayed yet another facelifted version of this enduring SUV at the 9th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).

After three years in the market, the pint-sized Fiesta is still going strong with 170 units sold in March. Ford also previewed the upcoming new Fiesta at MIAS which will be available in the Philippines later this year. And Skyway incident aside, they were also able to deliver another 20 units of the Mustang last month, bringing the total to 202 units sold since its launch last year.

Ford Philippines claims that the first three months of 2013 was its all-time best first quarter performance. Overall retail sales nearly doubled from the same period in 2012, rising 91% from 1,405 units to this year's 2,685.

]]> Industry Update Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:13:40 +0000 Exceeding Expectations | 2012 Ford Focus 1.6L Trend Hatchback 6PS http://kotse.com/home/index.php/test-drives/compact/item/1236-2012-ford-focus-16l-trend-hatchback-6ps http://kotse.com/home/index.php/test-drives/compact/item/1236-2012-ford-focus-16l-trend-hatchback-6ps

Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos by Leslie Sy

We’re no strangers to Ford compact hatchbacks. Mantrade, the official distributor of Ford vehicles in the country a few decades ago, introduced the Mazda 323-based Laser in the 80's - a car which I have fond memories of as a child. But with no proper successor, the country didn't see a new Ford hatchback for quite some time. Then came Ford Group Philippines (FGP), who brought in the Focus back in 2005 and revived Ford's fame for five-door people carriers. And now, they're back at what they do best with the all-new Focus - sportier, curvier, and stuffed with all the gadgets you could ever wish for.

I had the privilege to spend a weekend with the all-new Focus 1.6L Trend hatchback, which sits neatly between the base Ambiente and top-of-the-line Sport+ variants in the five-door line up. We all know it looks great, but is it as good in person as it seems on paper? Well, that's what I'm about to find out.

Making Eye Contact

The oval-shaped all-new Focus is a far cry from the boxy design of its predecessor, and yet it still looks undoubtedly like a Focus should. It's as if Dr. Vicky Belo had a whack at it and sanded down all the deep lines and made it look 10 years younger. The Focus has also been given wider fenders, a more pronounced jaw line, and a wider mouth while she was at it.

Up front, the large intake on the bumper looks as if it can swallow anything that comes its way. In contrast, the sweeping headlights look captivating like a woman's eyes, and the tail lights reminded me of a Stingray swimming in the big blue sea. It's a well-balanced package overall that's not as edgy as the Japanese, but not as wild as the Koreans.

And here’s one interesting feature about the wiper arms that they don't say in the brochure: Not only do they move “wax on, wax off” Karate Kid-style, they also move independently from each other as opposed to the mechanical connection in regular cars. You can even move them up and down the windshield (like a kid would) with the engine turned off, and they would go back to their correct position once you turn the engine back on. Amazing!

The Beauty Inside

As always, Ford emphasized quality and craftsmanship of the cabin. The dashboard is now made from a soft-to-touch plastic, decorated with pieces of silver trims. I also particularly like how the chrome insert on the steering wheel feels like real metal on my hands, which is something that used to be reserved for more expensive luxury sedans. Door panels, on the other hand, are still made of hollow-sounding hard plastic.

The front seats offer proper lumbar support, and the matching headrests do their job nicely in giving my neck a break from a tiring day. The rear seats could use a little bit more padding. There’s also plenty of leg room front and back thanks to the longer wheelbase. And despite the sloping roofline, the headroom seems to be plentiful for all passengers.

On the dashboard, all the buttons are properly positioned for easy navigation. The Focus even borrows the numpad layout and the 3.5-inch multifunction display from its younger brother, the Fiesta, except backlit in icy blue. One noteworthy feature is the trip computer on the gauge cluster that not only records average fuel consumption, but also has an EcoMode that teaches you how to drive more efficiently as you go. The factory-fitted audio system sounds good too, like a premium one should.

Step and Go

Based on my experience, Fords are easy and fun to drive, and the all-new Focus is no different. Under the hood is a 1.6 liter Duratec Ti-VCT engine that has an output of 125 horsepower and 159 Nm of torque. Power is decent and won’t disappoint on unclogged thoroughfares. The six-speed power shift transmission is very responsive, but the manual mode is quite tricky to use. As the buttons are located on the gear shift itself, you need to use your right thumb to shift gears up and down, which is quite unusual.

The ride is a bit stiff, especially on uneven roads. Nevertheless, it's stable on high speed cruising. The zippy acceleration and light steering wheel also makes it a joy to drive around the metro. My jaunt around the city returned 9 km/L, which is acceptable for a 1.6 liter car paired with an automatic transmission. In heavy traffic, the number goes down to 7km/L, but that’s still considered ok.

Jam Packed
Designed in Europe and developed under the blue oval's One Ford strategy means we’re getting the same equipment everyone else has. This 1.6L Trend variant comes with the Microsoft-powered Ford SYNC, an Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) system, Hill Hold and Launch assist (HLA), and Active Grill Shutters. (Sorry guys, you'll have to buy the Sport+ model to get the Active Park Assist feature.)

Aside from the high tech bits, the Focus 1.6 Trend hatchback also comes with plenty of safety kits such as dual front airbags, ABS, and driver/passenger seatbelt reminder. For the cosmetic part, the stylish split-spoke 16-inch alloys and side mirror repeaters, front and rear fog lamps are also part of the package.

There are a lot of cars priced below the P1 million mark right now, which makes choosing the right one to buy quite difficult. But with the Ford Focus 1.6 Trend hatchback, you won’t feel short-changed. For a tag price of P989,000, you get more than you expect in terms of quality, fun, and technology.

]]> Compact Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:41:40 +0000 Cook-Off: Ford shows us what makes the all-new Focus oh so appetizing http://kotse.com/home/index.php/features/item/1168-ford-cook-off-with-the-focus http://kotse.com/home/index.php/features/item/1168-ford-cook-off-with-the-focus

Words and photos by Christopher Kho

My occupation allows me to drive almost all the new cars you see on the road. We typically test them for performance, handling, and fuel-efficiency. Of course, it’s also good put these set of wheels through our daily routines to see just how practical they are. But nothing assesses a car's comfort quite like doing errands outside our comfort zone. And to prove a point, Ford Philippines turned us burly men into Mr. Moms for a day with the all-new Focus.

Aptly named the “Ford Cook-Off,” the event's challenge was to go grocery shopping for ingredients with the all-new Focus and then cook a meal. But as simple as it sounds, we had one big problem. We may arguably be experts at driving, but my teammates Ulysses Ang from The Philippine Star, Peejo Pilar from Men's Health Magazine, and I were noobs when it came to cooking. Thankfully, there was more to this competition than just culinary skills. Besides the dish's taste and plating, we were also scored based on fuel efficiency and our ability to park using the Focus' Active Park Assist.

Driving Duties
We were given keys to a shiny all-new 2.0L Focus Sport+ hatchback, and I was assigned to take on driving duties. Instead of mashing the throttle and unleashing all of the Duratec Ti-VCT's 168 horses, I had to keep the revs low with the hopes of scoring us some extra points in the eco challenge.

Starting from the Enderun College at McKinley Hill, our first task of the day was to drive all the way to the South Supermarket in Alabang using the least amount of fuel possible to buy our ingredients. Who the heck travels 40 km to go to the grocery? Not many people, but think of it as your weekly route that involves brining the kids to school and picking up the laundry before heading over to the supermarket. The Focus' EcoMode had all five leaves lit up, which meant we were getting good numbers while cruising down SLEX at 70 km/h.

Although we had a route book to follow, we somehow managed to get ourselves lost in traffic as soon as we hit Alabang. Surely, this wasn't good for our fuel economy. But we eventually managed to find our way to the supermarket where we bought some colorful vegetables for our dish. An added task also required us to use the Focus' nifty Ford SYNC feature to make some calls hands-free as we drove back to Taguig.

At the end of the leg, a quick fill-up at a Shell Station along C5 revealed that we managed to do 12 km/L. Quite good, but we weren't quite sure if it was enough to beat the other teams.

Sizzling Surprise
When we got back to the Enderun College campus, the only driving challenge left before we headed to the kitchen was the parking test using the Focus' Active Park Assist feature. This was a simple battle between man and machine, where we tried to parallel park the all-new Focus faster than the car itself can. So far, the system proved to be so reliable, that Ulysses could only beat its time by a few seconds.

Before things get cooking, we first got a quick lesson from no less than Enderun College's headmaster, Chef Thomas Wegner. He showed us how to prepare the day's special: seared tuna and prawn with ratatouille, which we had to recreate ourselves in just 30 minutes. Oh, did I mention that we had to serve two dishes? One was going to be judged for taste and the other for plating. It all sounded too easy until we remembered we weren't chefs.

Of course, we had to wear the mandatory apron and toque to make us look like the real deal in the kitchen. And when the clock started ticking, Peejo, Ulysses, and I got down to business. There was some vegetable chopping action going on on one corner, while the tuna and prawn were being seasoned in another. But honestly, there was so much chaos going on that I could hardly remember what exactly went down in those 30 minutes. All I knew was that everything was such a rush; we didn't even get to taste the dish we cooked before it was served, although I do have to say that it did look nice.

Bon Appetit
The events of the day showed us how practical and versatile the all-new Ford Focus really is, especially for people who are always on the go. Its exceptional fuel efficiency not only saves money when you gas up, but also saves time with less frequent trips to the gas station. Meanwhile, the Active Park Assist is very much appreciated if you've had a long day or if you're just too darn lazy to do it the old fashioned way. And lastly, Ford SYNC lets you make important calls or send SMS while you keep both hands on the wheel.

So, did we win? Well, no. While we did get top marks in the fuel efficiency test, we apparently didn't manage to beat the Active Park Assist challenge, and our dish tasted the worst. But in our own respect, we did manage to somehow put together a meal and had fun doing it.

]]> Features Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:33:01 +0000 Ford's all-new Focus nails 5 stars on NHTSA’s crash test http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/road-safety/item/1164-ford-focus-nhtsa-crash-test http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/road-safety/item/1164-ford-focus-nhtsa-crash-test

Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera

Most, if not all new vehicles sold in the market today come standard with airbags and anti-lock brakes. As competition stiffens and safety standards get higher, even entry-level models now come with these safety supplements. But how safe really are they?

In the US, automobile safety is stringently evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) where its safety arm, the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), is designated to encourage automobile makers to build safer vehicles. They do this by rigorously checking each new vehicle how it fairs in a crash. And one of the most recent models to pass their test with a full five-star rating is the all-new 2013 Ford Focus.

Both four- and five-door versions passed with flying colors. The Focus was awarded four stars for the frontal crash and rollover tests, while it got five stars for the side impact test. Quite oddly though, the crash test dummies show that male passengers fair a bit better in frontal impacts. Female passengers, on the other hand, are safer in the during side pole and barrier impacts.

Aside from crash safety, the all-new Focus is also highly applauded for its safety features. The driver-side airbag uses a special curve-shaped tether that pulls the lower section to create a “pocket” which should reduce the airbag's impact on the driver’s chest and ribs in a crash. Meanwhile, innovative seat-mounted side airbags feature shoulder vents that allows it to automatically adjust according to occupant size.

All Focus variants sold in the Philippines are equipped with the blue oval’s Safety Canopy side curtain airbags, dual front airbags, torque vectoring control, and Active City Stop.

No matter how safe we drive, accidents on the road are inevitable. So, if you’re looking for a car that’s proven to be safe, you might want to consider the all-new Ford Focus. Safe driving starts at P859,000.

]]> Road Safety Fri, 28 Dec 2012 01:42:46 +0000 Winner of Ford Philippines' Start It. Share It. Win It. contest gets her all-new Focus http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/contest-and-promos/item/1163-ford-share-it-win-it-winner-gets-a-focus http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/contest-and-promos/item/1163-ford-share-it-win-it-winner-gets-a-focus

Yes, that's right. The winner of the “All-new Ford Focus... Start It. Share It. Win It.” contest is a she and is a talented one at that. Maria Patriz De Vera Dumlao, a 23-year-old IT professional from Quezon City, managed to get the most votes for a video that captured her reaction to the all-new Focus' smart technologies. And as the grand prize, she received the keys to a brand new 2013 Ford Focus Titanium+, while the nine other finalists each received an Apple iPad.

“I am excited to bring home the new Focus and make it my daily drive. One of the things I dread is parallel parking - so the Focus with Active Park Assist is perfect for me. Also, I can’t wait to pair my phone with Ford SYNC. Thank you, Ford Philippines!” said Dumlao.

From August to October of 2012, more than 1,000 individuals joined Ford Philippines' “Start It. Share It. Win It.” campaign to experience the smart features of the all-new Focus. Each participant was filmed during their 'smart demo' to capture their spontaneous, and sometimes hilarious, reactions. All the videos were then uploaded to Facebook and the Top 2 participants who got the most number of views in the 10-day voting period qualified for the finals.

In total, the videos received almost 150,000 views globally, and over 1,500 votes were cast by the general public for the Top 10 finalists, in which Maria Patriz Dumlao got the most. Unfortunately, we can no longer find the link to her winning video.

“The result of the integrated ‘Start it. Share it. Win it.’ campaign exceeded our expectations, allowing us to witness an extraordinary level of excitement among our customers by providing them a unique and personal experience with the all-new Focus,” said Prudz Castillo, Ford Philippines' AVP for Marketing.

Want to experience the all-new Focus' smart technologies like Maria? Drive smart now starting at P859,000 for the 1.6L Focus Ambiente Sedan MT.

]]> Contest and Promos Fri, 28 Dec 2012 00:26:01 +0000 2012 Paris Motor Show : The Inside Story http://kotse.com/home/index.php/features/road-trip/item/1156-2012-paris-motor-show-inside-story http://kotse.com/home/index.php/features/road-trip/item/1156-2012-paris-motor-show-inside-story

Words and photos by Elmer Maniebo

Paris is, without a doubt, the most romantic city in the world. Its culture, cuisine, and bright spirit are representative of its native language, which is quite possibly the most beautiful language known to man. It is home to some of the most iconic structures to have ever been built - the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe. Nothing prepares you for its charm, nostalgia, and chic. Its effervescent warmth makes it the most visited city in the world. So when the chance to go to the Mondial de l’Automobile 2012, otherwise known as the Paris Motor Show, popped-up, I didn't think twice to grab it. It’s only five hours away from where I live, and kids go free. So, what the heck!

Without a proper motor show, I did what most Brits had to do to quench their craving for new metal - crossed the English Channel and see what our French neighbors are up to. Together with my seven-year-old, we drove along the French Autoroute in our Hyundai i30 and spent three days in this hypnotic city to see the cars of tomorrow.

Home Court Advantage

Aside from seeing the shiny metals, glittering lights, and beautiful women the Paris Motor Show promises, it's also an excellent opportunity for father-son bonding, away from the comforts of home, in a city where we knew no one.

Once inside, we suddenly realized our dilemma: “How do you see over a hundred new cars sprawled in five adjacent buildings while squeezing past 112,000 people?” Yup, that many people turned up. Families arrived in their thousands, kids in tow and some bored-looking housewives wondering why they’re in this chaos rather than shopping for a Blahnik. Believe me, it’s not easy to get around and see all the cars without bumping into someone. It’s like New Year’s Eve in Times Square but without the fireworks.

The group of Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault made up about half of the main building's hall space and had the best display.

Citroen hung a five-storey-high chandelier above a glistening white DS5 Hybrid4 as its centerpiece, while a dizzying array of DS3s, DS4s, and DS5s surrounded it and danced gracefully like a French ballerina. And it’s piece d’ resistance was the Citroen DS3 WRC rally car in full racing livery. The mechanics even fired up its 300 hp turbocharged 1.6L engine and – oh boy! – what an aural orgasmic experience it was.

Meanwhile, Peugeot’s stall reeked of pure French chic and understated European elegance. A tasteful urban crossover concept car painted in fluorescent yellow called the Peugeot 2008 swayed on a revolving pedestal served as its main attraction.

Opting for a different approach, Renault combined their green credentials with the electrics and hybrids on display. But to my dismay, the repeat appearances of old EV models like the Fluence and Zoe didn’t scream confidence for a struggling brand like Renault.

And as the home of the most recognizable motoring mascot, Bibendum or better known as the Michelin Man, came with the biggest interactive screen for dads and kids to play with.

The Real Motor Show
Car companies found some odd ways to showcase their cars to add some spice from the rather common revolving stand.

Ford flipped an all-new Focus on its side to show its undercarriage - great for those interested in the mechanics of a car, brilliant for kids to play around, and alluring for petrol heads. McLaren, on the other hand, hung a stripped-down MP4-27 on a wall, deprived of any decals and livery to blend with the orange-lava color theme of the rest of its models. Another impressive sight was the trio of BMW’s Concept Active Tourer, the glass-covered i3 Megacity Vehicle, and the stunning plug-in i8 Concept Spyder hybrid. But hands down, the new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta was the most jaw-dropping of all.

The Brits are Coming
To balance the equation, British manufacturers crashed the party and showed the world that they're alive and kicking.

Jaguar and Land Rover paraded its hard-hitting models, starting with the launch of the all-new 2013 Range Rover. Next in line was the Evoque in both three- and five-door variants that's becoming a common sight in the streets of Paris.

Flying the rough side of the Union Jack was a battle-ready Land Rover Defender Skyfall Edition that was used in the 23rd James Bond film of the same title. We sat in it for a good 10 minutes, pretending that we were on a classified mission in the French capital. We left shaken, but not stirred after a fleeting Bond moment.

Equally imposing was Jaguar's display of its much-hyped and newly-launched F-Type convertible. It got mixed opinions from veteran hacks and curious onlookers, while the press hailed it as a revolutionary revival of the beautiful E-Type.

But the real star of the show (as far as we're concerned) was the mighty McLaren P1. Poised as the F1's successor, it packs a mind-blowing 960 horsepower and an even more mind-numbing £800,000 (P56-million) price tag. The promise of the best handling car in the world, backed up by a Formula 1-derived KERS technology seemed to be divine. I drove almost 1,300 km from England to Paris just to see this magnificent creation, and it was definitely worth the trip.

An Awesome Experience
We practically poured all our time to savor the sight of the McLaren P1 to our hearts’ content. This meant that we failed to see the display in the other two buildings that the 2012 Paris Motor Show occupied. This included the likes of the VW Group, Toyota, Honda, Kia, Skoda, Hyundai, and after-market brands.

Although we weren't able to see all the cars on display in just one long day, we experienced arguably the most exciting new car launches of the year. We also couldn't help but feel proud to be British with those stunning British marquees.

]]> Road Trip Fri, 21 Dec 2012 02:13:21 +0000 Ford paints the all-new Focus Sport+ in Mustard Olive http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/newly-launched/item/1086-ford-focus-mustard-olive http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/newly-launched/item/1086-ford-focus-mustard-olive

Words and photos by Christopher Kho

Have you checked out the all-new 2012 Ford Focus yet? It’s got everything you need - and probably ever want - in a family-sized hatchback or sedan. Side curtain airbags, traction control, Smart Keyless Entry, Ford SYNC, Active City Stop, Active Park Assist; what more could you ask for? Well, from the looks of it, Ford Philippines is giving the Focus a little somethin' somethin' to make it that much more attractive.

Making its debut at the recent 2012 Auto Focus Motor Show, this is the Ford Focus painted in the new Mustard Olive shade.

This new color is exclusive to the top of the line Focus 2.0L Sport+ hatchback, making it the 6th color option for the Focus' top-of-the-line variant, which includes Frozen White, Ingot Silver, Panther Black, Winning Blue, and Candy Red. Though “exclusive,” Ford told us that Mustard Olive isn't offered as a special limited edition and is priced just like a regular 2.0L Sport+ hatchback at P1,199,000. That means there's still time for you to include this pretty number in your Christmas Wish List.

]]> Newly Launched Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:01:41 +0000 Ford's all-new Focus forges its way to the forefront of fuel efficiency with 19.89 km/L run http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/item/1078-ford-focus-eco-run http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/item/1078-ford-focus-eco-run

Words by Jade Lu

For many of us, traveling 900 kilometers means cost and multiple fuel pit stops; but for Ford Philippines, it spells “CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.” The Department of Energy (DOE) recently witnessed a fuel economy run of the all-new Focus, which spanned a total of 945 kilometers between Manila and Pangasinan and presented above satisfactory results.

It’s not a typical economy run with ideal road conditions and every single fuel saving tip employed (much to the dismay of passengers). There were no bare-body vehicles, no creature comforts removed, and no suffering in the tropical heat. Instead, Ford Philippines tested the Focus with almost typical daily conditions - windows up, air-conditioner turned on at moderate settings, and two people on board. Each unit carried a driver and navigator, running northernwards between 60 to 80 km/h in combined city and highway driving.

With the fuel lids sealed and these parameters throughout the journey, the 2.0L Focus Titanium+ achieved an astounding 19.89 km/L, which bests both the Ranger and Fiesta. Meanwhile, the 1.6L Ford Focus Trend sedan pulled off an equally remarkable 19.07 km/L. DOE representatives were present to verify these results.

“The all-new Focus proved that it is indeed a class-leader for fuel efficiency, confirming expectations with some very impressive results,” remarked Prudz Castillo, Ford Group Philippines’ AVP for Marketing.

Of course, not everybody can drive as efficiently as others when given free reign of their vehicles. This is the very reason the all-new Focus comes with EcoMode. EcoMode coaches the driver on fuel-friendly driving techniques by displaying its affirmation on the instrument cluster. This can be very engaging for gamers who constantly try to trump their own high scores, and now it’s actually relevant to real life. Additionally, the Active Grille Shutter system automatically controls front side airflow to help with the car’s aerodynamics, keeping drag to a minimum. If those don’t help any average Joe drive efficiently, I don’t know what will.

The all-new Focus comes with either a new Duratec 2.0L Ti-VCT GDi engine mated with the latest six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission or a 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT engine paired with either the six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission.

]]> News Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:41:55 +0000 Ford is back in shape! Logs 2012's best sales in September http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/industry-update/item/1023-ford-september-2012-sales http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/industry-update/item/1023-ford-september-2012-sales

Only nine units shy of their best-ever monthly sales performance in December 2011, Ford Philippines recently reported this year's best with 964 units sold in September which is a 68% jump over the previous month's disappointing 574. This is indeed a very welcome news for Ford after they struggled with a supply issue for the first half of 2012. *whew*

According to the report, the boost came from the blue oval brand's newcomers: the all-new Ranger, all-new Explorer EcoBoost, all-new Focus, and the Mustang muscle car.

“Our showrooms across the country are now packed with the widest lineup of vehicles that Ford has ever offered in the Philippines, which is really helping broaden the appeal of our brand to so many new-to-Ford customers,” said Ford Group Philippines President Randy Krieger.

Sales of the all-new Ranger jumped 271% from the previous month with 156 units finding new homes in September. That brings the tally to over 600 all-new Rangers now sold in the country. Meanwhile, 118 examples of the all-new Explorer were delivered to new owners last month, representing the model's best monthly performance since its launch in October 2011.

Ford also started delivery of the Mustang - in both 3.7L V6 and 5.0L V6 GT variants - now with 40 galloping steeds roaming our streets. And lastly, the pint-sized Fiesta is celebrating its second birthday with a bang after sales went up 28% in September.

Giving the brand a boost, Ford is on track to opening 12 new dealers before the year ends. The new dealership locations include Baguio, Bohol, Butuan, Cainta, General Santos, Isabella, Laoag, Makati, Naga, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zamboanga.

]]> Industry Update Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:55:31 +0000 The all-new Ford Focus' EcoMode is training wheels for lead-foot drivers http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/item/992-ford-focus-ecomode http://kotse.com/home/index.php/news/item/992-ford-focus-ecomode

While there might be over a thousand fuel saving tutorials online, nothing compares to a one-on-one hands-on training with a real expert. Hiring one for a few days ain't gonna be cheap, but wouldn’t it be great if you get one with a car right from the dealership? One that doesn't need to sleep, eat, nor drink and will gladly serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, too. Well, that dream has finally come true in Ford’s EcoMode, your personal eco-driving coach available with the all-new Focus.

EcoMode is an app that comes with the all-new Focus that scores you according to your (1) Gear Shifts, (2) Anticipation of the vehicles and traffic condition ahead, and (3) Speed. It does this by monitoring the vehicle's engine rpm, speed, accelerator position, clutch position, selected gear, and engine temperature.

On the Focus' instrument cluster, EcoMode displays the driver's score using a simple yet nifty green five-leaf icon. Obviously, the more leaves you have, the more environmentally-friendly you drive. Scoring is cumulative every time you drive, but you can always restart the system by resetting the average fuel consumption.

While driving, EcoMode will also give you hints on how you can gain more leaves for each discipline. It'll give you tips such as “Smooth driving saves fuel” if it senses that you accelerate or brake unnecessarily, or “Early shifting saves fuel” when you don't shift up as early as you should. Don't think of it as an annoying back seat driver that tells you what to do; rather, consider it an eco-conscious advocate who wants you to drive more sensibly. Of course, no matter how hard it tries to coach, it's still up to the driver if he or she will listen.

After you exert the effort to drive more efficiently, EcoMode will eventually congratulate you at the end of the day if you've done a good job. The only thing this system needs is a Facebook or Twitter link so you can brag about your fuel-saving achievements online.

]]> News Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:10:13 +0000