MANILA, Philippines - The first three months of the year are ordinarily slow for the motoring industry. However, this year seems to be a bit different with frenzied activity in the early goings. Here’s a rundown of automotive launches, events and significant news that’s happened during the industry’s “first quarter stormâ€.
Berjaya Auto Philippines Officially Becomes Mazda Distributor
After a formal signing ceremony held last September with Mazda Motor Corp. (Japan), Berjaya Auto Philippines has officially begun operations as the country’s official distributor of Mazda vehicles, accessories, and spare parts. At the same time, Berjaya Auto Philippines laid down its plans for 2013, indicating that they will be launching a slew of new or improved vehicles and expanding their dealership network.
Toyota Launches All-New RAV4, Announces 11th Straight Triple Crown
The all-new RAV4 joins Toyota Motor Philippines’ formidable commercial vehicle line-up. Though the engineering principles behind the all-new model takes after its predecessors, the 2013 RAV4 hosts new innovations and enhancements while looking sleeker and powerful. The all-new RAV4 is powered by a new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with Dual VVTi technology. Mated to a six-speed automatic, the RAV4 is expected to have excellent performance without sacrificing fuel economy. Toyota also seems more bullish with the all-new RAV4 as it introduced three variants topped off by a fully-loaded 4WD model.
At the same time, Toyota Motor Philippines once again announced that it had managed to achieve its 11th Triple Crown by being the country’s No. 1 in the passenger car segment, commercial vehicle segment, as well as overall sales.
Nissan Officially Unveils Almera
Nissan Motor Philippines seeks a market resurgence with the launch of the all-new Almera, the company’s new sub-compact offering in a glitzy affair. Specially designed as a global B-segment car, the Almera is the company’s best-selling sedan with worldwide sales reaching more than 500,000 units. The Almera provides new-generation style, class-leading space, and affordability. It provides interior room a class higher, thanks to its long wheelbase design. At the same time, the 1.5-liter engine mated to a CVT transmission offers ample performance and stellar fuel economy. And if these aren’t enough incentives, it’s great to know that the Almera is proudly assembled at Nissan’s Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant.
Mercedes-Benz Heralds New Era with All-New B-Class
CATS Motors, the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the Philippines, is pushing the envelope yet again in design and technology with the launch of the all-new B-Class. This car is set to transform the entry-level luxury segment with its sophisticated design, all-new powertrain, and unparalleled safety. Outside, the B-Class wears a design that emphasizes its width with a prominent grille and headlamps that extend along the side. Inside, the B-Class features a much improved interior room along with the best front headroom in its class. Under the hood of the B 200 is a new direct-injection turbocharged engine with 156 horsepower. The B-Class also shuns the CVT in favor of a new seven-speed dual clutch automatic.
PGA Cars Launches Q3, Updated 2013 Line-Up
Audi, through its official Philippine distributor, PGA Cars, launches its latest product, the Q3 – an urban crossover slotting below its best-selling Q5 and Q7 SUVs. While its bigger brothers are designed either for family practicality or off-road prowess, the Q3 is aimed more as a lifestyle or sportier crossover. It’s almost a foot or 254 mm shorter than the Q5 and is available with Audi’s award-winning 2.0-liter TDI engine to start with. The same night, PGA Cars unveils its 2013 line-up starting off with the new A1 Sportback 5-Door, the refreshed A4, and improved versions of the A6 and Q5. Lito Jose also took over as Audi’s sales director and now oversees all of the brand’s sales activities.
BMW Still LEADS Premium Segment
Asian Carmakers Corp. announces that it is solidifying its position as the country’s No. 1 premium auto brand with a 33-per cent market share. In fact, it’s the 10th straight year that the brand has been able to achieve this feat.
Makati Ford Opens
Ford’s growth story continues with the official opening of its new Makati Ford dealership. The 1,500-sqm. dealership is the newest dealership in the growing Ford network to adopt the Brand@Retail II concept, which aims to emphasize Ford’s four-brand pillars (Quality, Green, Safe, and Smart) and mold it into the physical space of a showroom. Over the next six-month period, Ford will be opening no less than six new dealerships.
Suzuki Opens First Integrated Dealership
Suzuki Philippines celebrated a milestone with the opening of Suzuki Auto Makati – the company’s first integrated dealership in the country. This new concept store showcases both Suzuki’s motorcycle and passenger car line-up all in one roof. And aside from offering Suzuki’s full range of products, Suzuki Auto Makati is a complete 3S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts) shop.
Chevrolet Ride and Drive in Tagaytay
Chevrolet started off the year with a bang by inviting the motoring press to sample its two latest offerings: the Sonic sub-compact as well as the Trailblazer mid-sized SUV. The Sonic went through a specially designed gymkhana course highlighting the Sonic’s peppy performance as well as European-tuned suspension. After that, participants took turns taking the new Trailblazer off the beaten path and through a treacherous off-road course. Though the off-road experience took less than 20 minutes, it easily highlighted the amazing abilities of Chevrolet’s seven-seater SUV.
Hyundai Accent CRDi Made Available
After much speculation, Hyundai Asia Resources finally made its much-awaited Accent CRDi available. The bigger surprise: it comes in a sporty and youthful hatchback body. The Accent how has a European flair, thanks to the shapely body and offers the added flexibility of a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter diesel engine. With its variable geometry turbo, the Accent CRDi outputs 128 horsepower and is available in both manual and automatic transmission variants. There’s a clear distinction between these variants in terms of convenience and safety features.
Ford Awards Top Dealers
At its Annual Dealer Convention, Ford Philippines recognized its top dealers with Ford Quezon Avenue being named “Dealer of the Year†while the “Dealer of the Year – Provincial†was awarded to Ford Iloilo.
PGA Cars Holds Audi Driving Experience
PGA Cars lets loose the entire Audi line-up in a specialized track day designed as an immersive experience into the world of Audi and everything the company stands for: performance engineering. The four-hour event is designed for people of every ability level and is filled with everything from technical briefings, street drives, autocross courses, and racetrack driving. Audi made available around 30 cars including several S models and the R8 GT.
Berjaya Auto Philippines Introduces YOJIN3
Emphasizing customer service, Berjaya Auto Philippines introduces YOJIN3 Mazda Total Care a unique vehicle ownership program which offers a three-year free periodic maintenance, a three-year roadside assistance with exclusive Mazda concierge service, and a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Ford Expands Ranger Line-Up with Wildtrak
Ford expanded its best-selling Ranger pick-up line-up by adding the new Wildtrak variant. Available in three variants and with two engines, the Wildtrak brings the Ranger lineup to a total of six models, all of which are highly-competitive models featuring an unmatched combination of power, safety, fuel efficiency, comfort, and capability. The Wildtrak is distinctive thanks to its sportier stance with its 18-inch wheels, roof rail, sport bar, box rail, and exterior graphics. Inside, the Wildtrak has special seats, steering wheel, and door trim. The Wildtrak also comes with dual zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, and cruise control among a host of other features. The Wildtrak also introduces the 200-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline-5 engine for the Ranger line-up.
Subaru Begins Sales of All-New Forester
Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru begins taking orders for its all-new Forester. Available in two variants, the 2.0 i-L and 2.0 XT both offer impressive creature comfort features which are capped off with a distinct new chiseled look. Despite having Symmetric All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment, the all-new Forester is aiming to be a fuel-efficient crossover with its Lineartronic CVT transmission. Customer deliveries are expected to commence just before the public launch at the Manila International Auto Show in April.
Toyota Motor Philippines Awards Top Dealers
Toyota Motor Philippines recognized its top performing dealers at its Annual Dealer Conference and Gala Awards. Toyota Cabanatuan City won several awards including the coveted President’s Award of Excellence. Toyota Cagayan de Oro City and Toyota Shaw won the first and second runner-up awards respectively.