April 2014: Summer Fever

MANILA, Philippines - One of the biggest and most anticipated motoring events of 2014 happened in April bringing with it a dozen new model offerings including the much-awaited return of two motoring icons from two different brands. Aside from the glitz and glamour of the auto show circuit, other carmakers went ahead and launched their vehicles by driving them long distances all to prove their mettle.

The Manila International Auto Show 2014

Worldbex Services International opened the doors to the 10th Manila International Auto Show or MIAS. Although key brands were absent from the annual show, it did not prevent organizers to recognize it as a tremendous success. After the 4-day event, MIAS welcomed 102,000 visitors. It also boasted of a 30,000sqm display with 217 new cars and 102 classic and custom cars.

Ford Escape

The demise of Ford’s C-segment crossover in the Philippines is greatly exaggerated as the company used the Manila International Auto Show to preview the all-new 2015 Escape—a crossover that’s expected to bridge the gap between the EcoSport and Explorer in terms of both features and price. Like the Explorer and the Mustang, the Escape will be a completely built-up unit (CBU) straight from the US. Though no official specs were given during the preview, Ford Philippines Managing Director Kay Hart announced that the 2015 Escape will be formally launched in the fourth quarter of 2014 with deliveries to start soon thereafter.

Tata is now in the Philippines

India’s leader in commercial vehicles and a top seller in the passenger car market in India opened up shop through distributor Pilipinas Taj Autogroup. At the helm is industry veteran Nicky Mariano who is serving as the General Manager. Pilipinas Taj Autogroup’s president and CEO, David Coyukiat was at the brand’s launch where he showcased the Manza INI, Vista INI, Xenon, Ace, and Super Ace. Tata also announced the opening of its first two showrooms: along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal and in Barrio Pampanga in Davao City.

Volkswagen 21^st Century Beetle

Volkswagen celebrated the return of its most recognized icon: the Beetle. Dubbed the 21st Century Beetle, no less than Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala led the festivities at The Mind Museum. Breaking from the three semi-circle shape, the all-new Beetle is wider and lower than its most immediate predecessor. Inside, it harks back at both its heritage while pushing for a more high-tech cabin. Under the hood, it’s powered by a 1.2-liter TSI engine generating 105 hp or a 1.4-liter TSI engine putting out 160 hp.

Peugeot 208 GTi

Eurobrands Distributor, Inc. (EDI), the official distributor of Peugeot in the Philippines teased their upcoming hot hatch—the Peugeot 208 GTI by displaying a kitted up version at its pavilion at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). The 208 GTI wears the iconic Peugeot Sport livery, a nod to the French brand’s rally heritage. The Peugeot 208 GTI is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 197 hp and 275 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The lightweight and compact 3-door Peugeot 208 GTI is expected to arrive in the Philippines real soon.

Kia Soul

Kia showed off the second-generation Soul at the Manila International Auto Show. Though it shares similar lines to the previous model, it has influences straight from the Track’ster Concept. The all-new Soul has a “floating” body-colored panel insert on the tailgate, a trapezoidal-shaped lower air intake, and fog lamps pushed out to the edges. Meanwhile, inside the Soul now has a tilt/telescopic steering column and a multi-function trip computer. Breaking from tradition, the Soul is now powered by a lean-burning diesel engine good for 128 hp. This engine is mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic and comes with Kia’s FlexSteer system.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The purveyor of the original Sport Utility Vehicle, Jeep, launched the 2014 Grand Cherokee to a packed crowd at MIAS. The new Grand Cherokee builds on the legendary go-anywhere, do-anything reputation of its illustrious ancestor, the Willy’s Jeep, while delivering best-in-class fuel economy, advanced user-friendly technology, world-class craftsmanship, and on-road refinement. Outside, the new Grand Cherokee conveys the rugged capability that one expects in a Jeep while still delivering a cohesive, upscale design while inside, it builds on its award-winning interior with a revised center stack that features the UConnect infotainment system and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee is now offered in both diesel (3.0-liter V6) and gasoline (3.6-liter V6) configurations.

Honda Cars Philippines names new president

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) names Toshio Kuwahara as its new president and General Manager. Kuwahara is filling the post formerly held by Tatsuya Natsume, who has been assigned a new post in Brazil. In 2009, Kuwahara was handed his first assignment in the Philippines when he was appointed as Senior Assistant Vice President for HCPI’s Marketing and Sales Division. Prior to his move to the automobile business, he previously held posts in Honda’s motorcycle business unit for the Asia and Ocenia market.

Motor Image opens multi-brand showroom in Manila Bay

Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), the parent company of Subaru and Changan distributors in the Philippines, announced the opening of the first phase of its brand new multi-brand facility in Metro Manila. Located at the automotive area of Manila Bay, the new facility will house major Subaru models, with the Changan brand to be added in the later part of the year. The latest addition to the Subaru sales network in the Philippines, serves as a flagship facility celebrating Subaru’s classic roots and traditions.

Subaru WRX and WRX STI

The much-awaited performance sedans born out of Subaru’s rally heritage make a triumphant return with the all-new 2014 WRX and WRX STI. Considered as the “best handling WRX and WRX STI ever,” both of these turbocharged, all-wheel drive sport sedans have unparalleled performance to go with uncompromised practicality. Sharing similar body styles, the all-new WRX and WRX STI traces its design roots to the original WRX and WRX STI with the hood-mounted intercooler scoop, aggressive body kit, and flared fenders. The WRX STI ups this with 18-inch forged BBS wheels. The WRX is powered by the all-new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine good for 268 hp while the WRX STI continues on with the tried-and-tested 2.5-liter engine good for 305 hp. Both models offer Torque Vectoring Control, push-button start/stop, and heavily bolstered sport seats among its standard features.

Mazda3

Mazda is bringing its KODO and Skyactiv to the mainstream with the launch of the all-new Mazda3. And like its namesake, the Mazda3 pushes the boundaries in vehicle design and engineering not just in the compact segment but of the automotive industry as a whole. Available in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback configurations, the all-new Mazda3 evoke a sense of movement while the interior is exudes a driver-centric feel. The Mazda3 comes with a host of segment-exclusive features including the Active Driving Display heads-up display, Commander Control infotainment system interface, and even built-in factory GPS navigation. The Mazda3 comes with two engines both mated to a 6-speed automatic: the 1.5-liter Skyactiv and the 2.0-liter Skyactiv.

Honda City

Honda aims to raise the standards in the subcompact genre with the launch of the all-new City. Penned under Honda’s new design language—Exciting H Design—the all-new City is a mix of angular lines, creases, and curves that look to elevate Honda back into the forefront of design. Beyond the design, the all-new City also presents new convenience features and a revised powertrain for improved power and efficiency. Higher variants of the City come with the company’s first full touchscreen interface for both infotainment and climate control as well as push-button engine start/stop and  reverse parking camera with multi-view. The City drops the 1.3-liter variant for a full 1.5-liter range. The 120 hp motor is mated to a manual or Honda’s new Earth Dreams CVT for unparalleled fuel economy.

Chevrolet expands to Tarlac

Chevrolet furthers its reach in the Philippine market as the company opens its newest dealership - Chevrolet Tarlac. With a growing population of 1,273,240 residents and being a highly urbanized and agricultural province, Tarlac is expected to be a sizeable market for Chevrolet. A hard-working and historically rich town in Region III deserves top quality vehicles from a brand that combines performance, style and utility with a century-old heritage. Chevrolet Tarlac marks Chevrolet’s 21st dealership in the country.

Jeep thrills Pinatubo

CATS Motors brings some members of the media and Jeep owners to experience a taste of their vehicle’s true potential with the Jeep Thrills Pinatubo. Using a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited CRD and the recently launched Grand Cherokee, owners went from the Jeep showroom located in EDSA Greenhills all the way to the lahar beds and the different river crossings surrounding Mount Pinatubo.

Isuzu kicks off D-Max 4x4 Drive series in Pampanga

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) kicked off the 2014 Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Drive Series in San Fernando, Pampanga in front of a visibly excited crowd of off-roading enthusiasts and pickup lovers. The Drive Series is designed specifically to cater to the continuous growth of the four-wheel drive pickup sector and the rapidly increasing popularity of outdoor recreational activities among Filipinos. It also aims to educate the market on the techniques required in order to maximize the advantages of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The off-road activities showcased the strengths of owning a four-wheel drive vehicle like the D-Max 4x4 especially in provincial areas where people engage in agricultural, mining, construction, and other businesses that traverse across rough terrains. Other legs of the D-Max 4x4 Drive Series happened in Cebu, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.