It was only two weeks ago when we got the news that Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, and Honda were all involved in a major Global Airbag Recall that affected 3.4 million cars worldwide. The first to make a move was Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) who confirmed that some 9,743 local units of 2001 - 2002 Civics and CRVs are included and have thus issued a recall of their own. Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. (BAP), on the other hand, assured us that none of the locally-sold Mazdas are part of the campaign. And the latest car manufacturer to issue an official statement regarding the Global Airbag Recall is Nissan Motors Philippines, Inc. (NMPI).
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Industry Update
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
It's been only a year since the Honda City got a well-deserved facelift, but Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) thought that it was necessary to make their best-selling model even better. And what they did this time is to stuff it with all the goodies and features one could wish for, raising the standard for subcompacts one step higher. Plus, some added few safety features now earn the City a full 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating.
The biggest change to the line-up is that there's no longer a 1.5 E variant. Instead, they've added two new versions they call 1.5 EL and 1.5 ENC. The 1.5 EL is pretty much identical in spec with the previous 1.5 E, except for one difference: black leather seats. The 1.5 ENC, on the other hand, gets the most revision of all.
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Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of KCMG and DPPI MEDIA
We first got word in February that Hong Kong-based motorsports group, KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG), will be racing a Nissan-powered Morgan LMP2 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. Although these guys have previous experience with Formula Nippon, Super GT300, and Formula 3, this would be their first endeavor in the world of endurance racing. So before taking on the challenge of Le Mans head-on, they tried their hands first at something a bit more manageable: the 6 Hours of Silverstone.
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Circuit
19 April 2013
Audi Philippines records 28% sales growth in Q1 of 2013
PGA Cars Inc., or more specifically Audi Philippines has just reported a whopping 28% year-on-year growth in Q1 of 2013 as compared to 2012. They've surpassed initial targets and the sales increase is mainly attributed to new entry-levels models they introduced early this year; more specifically the new Audi Q3 and A1 five-door Sportback. According to Audi Philippines Sales Director Lito Jose, these two new compacts “ushers a new phase for Audi in the country, because for the first time we have a model below P2,000,000.”
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Industry Update
18 April 2013
The Hyundai Azera's appearance at AVID's Innovation Congress is more than just for display
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Jose Carlo R. Sapera
If you went to the AVID Innovation Congress (ICON) held at the Bonifacio Global City earlier this month, then there's a good chance that you saw the new Hyundai Azera that was on display. Classified as a full-size sedan, it's bigger than the Sonata and smaller than the Genesis sedan (not Coupe). The model has been on sale since 2011 in countries such as South Korea and the US, but not in the Philippines. Well, this should come as good news to some of who want to travel in a bit more style: A representative from Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) has confirmed to us that they're finally ready to bring the Azera here.
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Words by Ferman Lao | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
While the rest of the world still moon over cars that debuted at the Bangkok and Manila International Auto Show, two cars caught our eye which could indicate that Honda thinks the future lies in China. The Honda Concept C and Concept S were unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. Yes, we're bringing this news to you a year late because back then, we didn't think much of the two concepts. It's only now that we realize that these could be the next generation Civic and Jazz.
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Concept
Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. (BAP), Mazda's new exclusive importer and distributor in the country, is on a roll. In just a few months after they took over the Mazda brand last January, they're now opening their second dealership under the new company, complete with a showroom, and parts and service facility. Mazda Cabanatuan is Mazda's 11th dealership in the country - a 3S dealership facility situated along Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City.
After Mazda Dagupan that opened in February 2012, Mazda Cabanatuan is the Laus Group's second Mazda dealership which goes to show just how happy they are with the brand's performance.
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Industry Update
Words and photos by Hans Gerald Chua
The 1st generation Forester of the 90's looked more like a station wagon than the crossover that it has shaped up to be today. Subaru engineers redesigned it from the ground up, making it a little bit taller and a little bit bigger to cater to the growing appeal of compact SUVs, but without messing with the fun-to-drive AWD formula. I should know, because I was one of those people who bought one a 3rd generation Forester to be exact. Now five years have passed since that model was introduced, Motor Image Pilipinas finally launched the all-new 4th generation Subaru Forester at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) which is bigger and taller than before, and promises to be a little bit faster.
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