Friday, 28 September 2012 18:47
Chevrolet's all-new 2013 Sonic sedan now available in dealerships
Words by Rico Soriano | Photos courtesy of Chevrolet Europe
Does anyone still remember the Aveo? It was a subcompact sold locally in hatchback and sedan versions back in mid 2000 that, unfortunately, didn't sell so well... compared to the Toyota Vios, at least. But The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet in the Philippines, finally grew tired of seeing too many Vios', City's, and Accent's on our streets and decided to bring in their latest armament. This is the Aveo's timely-replacement, the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic sedan.
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Newly Launched
Friday, 14 September 2012 08:44
Korean Pride | 2012 Kia Rio 1.2 LX MT Sedan
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
The very first media test unit I ever drove was a Kia Rio back in 2006. It was a taxi-spec Kia Rio, in white. The only luxuries were air-conditioning, power-steering, and a radio. It had wind-up windows, hubcaps, and a price-tag not much higher than a Kia Picanto. Despite the low price, not many buyers bit. The spartan interior and lack of toys meant that it was more popular with taxi services than private buyers. And even then, taxi services often went for the 1.5 liter diesel Accent over the 1.4 liter gasoline Rio.
With the new-model roll-over, Kia reintroduces the taxi-spec Rio at the same sub-P600,000 price-point. It's still pretty basic. But it now comes with a 1.2 liter engine, shared with the Hyundai i10. Most people might see this as a disadvantage, but the expected savings in fuel could make it an even more attractive proposition for taxi-operators everywhere.
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Subcompact
Monday, 09 July 2012 06:15
Ford debuts all-new Focus; Comes with all the toys you'll ever want
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
More than half a decade ago, Ford gave the Philippines a slice of Europe with the Focus. Ahead of its time, it gave us features we've never seen before on a P1 million compact such as dual-zone climate control, a turbo-diesel engine, and dual-clutch transmission, just to name a few. But through the years, the Focus started to show its age and was no longer at the alpha wolf of the pack. So to bring it back to the top of its game, Ford is doing one better by giving us the best the world has to offer in their next-generation compact. Look no further than the all-new 2012 Ford Focus.
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Newly Launched
Monday, 23 January 2012 18:54
Kia makes it official: all-new 2012 Kia Rio sedan and hatchback now in the Philippines
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
Kia's signature "tiger nose" grill might be all the rage, but that ain't going to stop the Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the Korean marque's official distributor in the Philippines, from making waves in the Year of the Dragon when they formally launched the all-new 2012 Kia Rio in a festive Brazilian-themed party last week. At last, after previewing the 4-door and 5-door versions earlier this year, the Rio has finally made its arrival official.
Looking distinctly European (a market where Kia is particularly strong in), it's clear that the all-new Rio has no plans of giving quarter to its competitors. The interior also follows the same design theme with touches of the old world here and there. And for 2012, Kia's ambitious subcompact comes as either a hatchback or sedan in four different variants.
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Newly Launched
