Celebrating 25 Years: Toyota Motors Philippines' World of Toyota Motor Show at the World Trade Center Manila

In celebration of its 25th year in the Philippine automotive market, Toyota Motors Philippines recently launched a world-class car show at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, called The World of Toyota. This week-long car show features the latest line-up of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, as well as some interesting concept cars and classic Toyota models from the 1960s until the 1980s. For a minimum entrance fee (but free for pre-registered bloggers such as myself), you can get up close and personal with these cars, and get a glimpse of Toyota Motors' interesting history. Reserving a Toyota car right at the venue also entitles you to some pretty sweet deals that you might not get anywhere else. For one, you can get a free portable GPS navigation device if you reserve/purchase a Toyota Vios right at the World Trade Center! Awesome, isn't it?

I myself drive a Toyota (a 7 year-old Corolla Altis), and I must say, the car has never had any serious issues.  Toyota is known globally for its high quality vehicles and I can personally attest to that. Toyota is also known for its environment-friendly and fuel-efficient vehicles, and Toyota actually pioneered the use of hybrid technology when it introduced the Toyota Prius in 1997, and soon enough, other car makers followed with their own line of hybrid cars. 

When the people over at Toyota Motors Philippines decided to invite bloggers to cover this event, I knew I couldn't pass up the chance to be part of it. I immediately registered as a blogger and a week later, I was at the World Trade Center to check out what Toyota has in store!

The Honda CR-Z is Finally Here!

Since the first hybrid car, the Prius, was introduced by Toyota to the Philippine market four years ago, other  car companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Lexus have brought in their own line of hybrid cars as well, taking the challenge of introducing these environment-friendly vehicles to Filipino car buyers who, unlike their counterparts in many developed countries such as the United States, are only still being introduced to hybrid technology. The fact that high import taxes have forced these car manufacturers to sell their line of hybrid cars at a relatively higher price compared to other markets abroad isn't helping at all. However, the Senate Bill No. 2856 or the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Incentives Act hopes to change all that. 

Despite current market difficulties, Honda Cars Philippines is taking on the challenge of bringing in hybrid cars to the country when they recently launched the sporty Honda CR-Z, Honda's first hybrid model to be sold in the Philippines. 

One interesting feature of this sporty hybrid is the Plus Sport System, which gives the car's performance a boost whenever the battery is charged over 50%. The Plus Sport System may be activated with a push of the S+ boost button found on the steering wheel. 

The Honda CR-Z sold in the Philippines has three variants: the Standard, Modulo, and the Mugen variants. The Modulo and Mugen variants are sportier versions of the Standard CR-Z with added features such as the ducktail rear spoiler and carbon-fiber-finish underspoiler for the Moldulo variant, and LED daytime running lights, a different exhaust system, carbon-fiber side mirror covers, a large rear wing, and new sets of front grille and rims for the higher-end Mugen variant. 

So, how much does the CR-Z cost, exactly? The manual-transmission Standard variant starts at--hold-your breath--P1,390,000! Not bad for a hybrid car, eh? Imagine how much lower the prices are going to be when the Senate Bill No. 2856 gets passed and becomes a law!

What about the other variants? Well, the prices for the rest of the Honda-CRZ models are as follows: P1,480,000 (Standard CVT); P1,470,000 (Modulo MT); P1,560,000 (Modulo CVT); P1,860,000 (Mugen MT), and P1,950,000 (Mugen CVT).

This has definitely been an exciting year for the Philippine car industry so far, and Honda Philippines just couldn't resist being part of all this buzz. With the introduction of the Honda CR-Z, should we expect other Honda hybrid models to be brought in as well? Let's see!

For the latest updates, please visit the Honda Cars Philippines official website at http://www.hondaphil.com.

The Piaggio Ape--Making Business Easier for Filipinos

Here's a piece of good news to Philippine-based entrepreneurs out there: the Piaggio Ape (pronounced as ah-peh, which is the Italian word for "bee"), a popular commercial vehicle by the Italian motor vehicle manufacturer Piaggio, is now available in the country.

The arrival of the brand was made possible by Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises Inc., a member of the Autohub Group. Four variants of the Ape are available in the country, each designed to suit different types of businesses:

The Delivery Van variant (priced at P240,000), ideal for small deliveries

The Drive-Away Chassis variant (P190,000) ideal for mobile businesses like  mobile ice cream carts or roaming sari-sari stores

The Passenger Cab variant (P190,000), for transporting passengers 

The Pick-Up variant (P210,000), also ideal for deliveries

Business owners will be happy to know that the Piaggio Ape is very fuel efficient, with a consumption of around 30-36 km/l. It is also classified internationally as a non-polluting vehicle. It has a maximum load capacity of around 500 kilograms and can travel up to a maximum of 55 kph. Also, the Piaggio Ape is exempted from the number-coding scheme and is permitted to travel on both primary and secondary roads, allowing entrepreneurs to make the most out of these vehicles for their businesses. 

Currently, the Piaggio Ape is sold in its three dealerships in Greenhills, Otis, and Quezon Avenue. For more information, you may visit the Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises Inc. website at www.autoitaliaphil.com.

Should We Expect the All-New Toyota Corolla by 2014?

A quick Google Image search with the keywords "2014 Toyota Corolla Altis" will give you several image results of a car similar to the one above. Could this be the all-new Toyota Corolla (called the Toyota Corolla Altis in parts of Asia)? The current version of the ever-popular car was launched maybe four or five years ago--it's definitely due for a replacement already, given the fact that other Toyota models such as the RAV4 and the Camry already have all-new models (The RAV4 was just officially launched in the Philippines very recently). The Toyota Vios is also due for replacement sometime this year. As of now, there is still no official word from Toyota, and we can only speculate on whether this really is what the all-new Corolla would look like. But, based on the Google search results, it looks as if this render isn't that too far off from the real thing. 

Toyota Motors Philippines Unveils the All-New, 4th Generation RAV4

If the earlier blog post about the 2013 Toyota Vios got you excited--wait till you hear this: Toyota Motors Philippines will be launching the all-new, 4th generation Toyota RAV4 very soon (read: early next year).

The new RAV4 will have a completely new look (it's about time!) and will be available in three variants: The entry-level 4x2 priced at P1,357,000, the full-option 4x2 at P1,581,000, and the top-of-the-line 4x4 at P1,963,000. Toyota recently showed off its new "baby" at the Christmas party held for its dealerships around the country.

Looks like 2013 will be an interesting year for the Philippine car industry. I wonder what else is in store for us?

A Quick Look at the 2013 Toyota Vios

Looks like Toyota Motors Philippines is gearing up for the launch of an all-new model of one of the country's most popular cars, the Vios, sometime next year. 

Although no specific date has been given yet, sources have indicated that the new generation Vios, along with an all-new Yaris, will reach showrooms by 2013. An all-new Corolla Altis is also scheduled to be introduced "within the next three years".

The new Vios will sport an all-new look, straying away from the "curviness" of the current model, similar to what Toyota has done with the all-new Camry. 

Could this be another bestseller? Will it be able to match up to its predecessor? Let's sit and wait.

A Matter of Security--Official Vehicles Used by Different Heads of State

Being the Head of State of a country is certainly not an easy job--though it may have its rewards (like a really cool, plush office chair--and that's just one of them!), along with this high-profile job comes its share of challenges and major headaches that the leader must overcome in order to ensure a happy, safe, and prosperous living environment for everyone. 

Part of the Head of State's job is to travel from one place to another--either to meet up with fellow dignitaries, open an art exhibit, give speeches at Universities, visit different government offices, and so much more--all of which may undermine the leader's safety and security. No Head of State is safe from the possibility of an assassination attempt.

Ensuring the Head of State's safety thus creates the need for an Official State Car--one that is heavily armored and of course, fitting for a passenger of such a high stature as the President or Prime Minister. The government just cannot choose any car, though--a lot of considerations must be made to ensure the Head of State's safety. It is thus considered an honor for a car manufacturer to be selected as the official manufacturer of the official state car. 

So, what cars do the different Heads of State around the world use, exactly? Here's a quick rundown of the official vehicles used by the leaders of certain countries (photos may not necessarily be that of the actual unit):

1. UNITED STATES (Cadillac One)

President Barack Obama travels on a customized, heavily armored limousine referred to as "Cadillac One" or more informally, "The Beast". The car resembles the Cadillac DTS (albeit larger) and comes equipped with features such as high-tech communication systems, gas-proof chambers, night-vision cameras, and internet connection, among others. The President takes his limousines (aside from the one the President actually uses, another one is included in the motorcade as a decoy) everywhere he goes--they are usually transported on large military aircraft.

2. GERMANY (Mercedes-Benz S600)

The Head of State of Germany travels around in an armored Mercedes-Benz S600, accompanied in the motorcade by a line-up of luxury vehicles from other German car manufacturers.

3. NORWAY (Lexus LS600h and BMW750Li)

The King of Norway, Harald V, travels around in a Lexus LS600h (hybrid), while the rest of the Norwegian Royal Family uses a combination of vehicles including the Audi A8 and BMW 7-series. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, uses an armored BMW750Li.

4. BRAZIL (Ford Fusion Hybrid)

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff uses an armored 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid for ordinary days, while a 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith is used for special occasions. 

5. KENYA (Mercedes-Benz Pullman S600)

The President of Kenya may be seen on-board an armored Mercedes-Benz Pullman S600, accompanied by a fleet of security vehicles which include (but not limited to) BMW 5 series, a Range Rover, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Get a Chance to Win an All-New Ford Focus with Ford Philippines' "Start It. Share It. Win It."

You've seen and read about the all-new Ford Focus--you've drooled over the high-tech features such as the Active Park Assist, or the Blind Spot Information System; now here's your chance to drive home one, through Ford Philippines' "Start It. Share It. Win It." promo.

Start It. This is the first part of the promo--participants will get a chance to experience the best features that the all-new Ford Focus has to offer, such as the Active City Stop (which prevents low-speed collisions through the automatic application of the brakes) and the Active Park Assist (where the car can parallel-park itself with the push of a button). This will take place across seven different venues between August 3 and September 16.

Share It. The participants' reactions as they experience the Focus' high-tech features first hand will be captured on camera, and soon after, the participants will be given a link to their videos which they can share through Facebook and Twitter. The ten most popular videos will then be selected based on the number of unique views, entertainment value, and the participants' reactions to the features. The ten finalists selected would automatically win a 3rd generation iPad (16GB).

Win It. October 8 to 18 would be the voting period for the ten finalist videos--people will get a chance to vote for the video they like the most through the Ford Focus Facebook page. The participant with the most popular video will get to drive home a brand-new 2.0 Ford Focus Titanium Sedan.

Visit the Ford Focus Philippines official Facebook page for more information (such as venues, dates, and time) and to register to be a participant. 

Ford Philippines Launches the All-New Ford Focus

July 5, 2012 was a big day for Ford Philippines--that day marked the launch of the all-new Ford Focus in the Philippine market, positioned as a "smart car" that possesses sleek styling and high-tech features that every car owner would surely want. 

The new Focus is designed according to Ford's kinetic design language, which we first saw on the Ford Fiesta which has also been launched here in the Philippines previously. Thus, the Focus now has a more aerodynamic design with a prominent roofline arc, with creases along the sides as well as the hood. The interiors, meanwhile, are made of high-quality materials, with cabin lighting similar to those on luxury cars. 

However, what would probably excite us the most would be the fact that the new Focus is one of the most technologically-advanced vehicles in its class. First off, the vehicle comes with a feature called Active Park Assist, where the car parallel parks itself--the driver only controls the acceleration, brake, and gearshift. This is made possible through the installation of sophisticated sensors around the vehicle. The vehicle is also equipped with a Smart Keyless Entry system--once the driver places his hand on the door handle, the Focus will automatically unlock its doors when sensors detect a smart key nearby, which owners may place inside their pockets or bags. Its Active City Stop feature, meanwhile, helps to avoid collisions in slow-moving traffic by applying the brakes automatically. Another added safety feature is the Blind Spot Information System, that warns drivers whenever another car enters the driver's blind spot. This is also most helpful when the driver is backing out of a driveway or garage. The high-tech safety features, however, doesn't stop there--to ensure that drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road 100% of the time, a special software allows drivers to operate his mobile phone via voice commands--one can make or receive calls and even send and receive text messages. 

Visit your nearest Ford dealer today to get up-close with the new Focus and also to get more detailed information. You may also check out the Ford Philippines website at www.ford.com.ph.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. Welcomes the All-New Honda CR-V

Following the launch of the all-new Honda Civic a few months back, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. is at it again with the recent launch of the highly-anticipated 4th-generation 2012 Honda CR-V.

First introduced in 1997, the Honda CR-V has become a leading name in the compact-SUV category, allowing its owners a unique driving experience, offering a car-like driving feel with more room and added comfort. With the launch of the 2012 model, Honda promises an enhanced driving and ownership experience, by having a vehicle that combines the best of what passenger cars, mini-vans and SUVs have to offer.

The new CR-V features a new design on its grille and headlights, a more upscale wheel design, and distinctive tail lights. All CR-V models have fold-down rear seats, allowing owners to fold down the rear seats flat with just one pull of a lever located on either side of the rear cargo area, giving it more cargo space to suit any CR-V owners' needs. 

The CR-V, just like the new Civic, is more high-tech with the Eco Assist System. With the push of a button, the CR-V automatically adjusts its systems for fuel efficiency, while another push of the button returns the car to normal mode, allowing better performance. When engaged, the Cruise Control function automatically maintains the speed of the car for driving convenience. 

If you're willing to shell out a bit more money to be able to get the most out of what the car promises its owners, the top-of-the-line 2.4L EX variant comes with the intelligent multi-information display or i-MID, which includes a 5-inch LCD screen that displays various information such as fuel consumption, audio, and other vehicle settings. This variant also comes equipped with a rear camera that automatically activates when the gear is put on reverse. Moreover, to ensure the maximum safety of the driver and the passengers, the high-end variant includes a Hands-Free Telephone (HFT) function that allows the driver to make or receive phone calls with a Bluetooth-enabled cellular phone, through the use of controls located at the steering wheel. 

If you're concerned about the CR-V being another gas-guzzling pollutant, you might have to think again. The CR-V has a EURO-4 rating given by the European Emission Standards, which means that the CR-V's emissions have a significantly reduced impact on the environment. This rating is way above the EURO-2 minimum required by Philippine regulators. 

All these great features, though, come with a price. The base 2.0L LX AT (2WD) sells at a price of P1,425,000; the 2.4L EX AT (4WD) costs P1,655,000, while the top-of-the-line 2.4 EX AT 4WD (White Orchid Pearl) sells at a price of P1,675,000. Expect prices to be like this while Honda is still working on some problems at their manufacturing plant in Thailand, which was badly affected by flooding last year. In the meantime, the Honda CR-V (as well as the Civic) variants sold here in the Philippines would be imported from Japan. We do hope that these problems would be fixed soon. We wouldn't want the CR-V fans here in the Philippines to be disappointed. 

For more information, please visit www.cr-v.com.ph or visit any of the Honda dealerships throughout the country, where you can also schedule a test-drive. 

French Automaker Peugeot Returning to the Philippines

"...It's a return, a return to the millions of people who have never forgiven me..."

These are just part of one of the most famous lines uttered by the character Norma Desmond from the 1950s Hollywood film Sunset Boulevard. Miss Desmond, who in her younger days was one of the most popular silent film actresses, suddenly becomes irrelevant as the old silent films of the early 20th century were replaced by "talkies", putting the once shining silent film stars in the unemployment line, Norma Desmond being one of them. The film pretty much chronicles her attempts to become relevant again, (with the aid of a young writer named Joe Gillis), which ends in a disaster. 

Will we see another "diasaster", which the impending return of the French automaker Peugeot? 

Yes, Filipino car enthusiasts are abuzz about the return of Peugeot this July, which was first brought to the country by the now-defunct AutoFrance Philippines in 2003. However, an unfavorable exchange rate which resulted in expensive models in turn resulted to poor sales, causing the car brand to pull out of the country within just a few years of its launch. 

However, as part of Peugeot's mother company PSA Peugeot Citroen's plan to expand internationally (aiming for 67% of their cars to be sold outside of Europe by 2020), we would definitely see the return of the brand to the country within the year, as the Philippines is part of the company's expansion strategy. This time, Peugeot cars will be imported and sold in the country courtesy of Asian Carmakers Corporation (the same company responsible for the distribution of BMW in the country), as well as Columbian Autocar Corporation (the distributor of Kia). 

Recently, Peugeot had a groundbreaking ceremony for their new assembly plant in India, and it is possible that once constructions have been completed, this would be where Peugeot cars that would be sold in the country would come from,seeing the increasing popularity of Indian-assembled cars in the country  (such as the Hyundai i10). Hopefully, this would result in lower selling prices that would be more attractive for the budget-conscious Philippine market.

Initially, the Peugeot line-up in the country would include the 3008, 5008, 508, 308CC and the RCZ. Should this second attempt by the brand become more successful, then it is likely that more Peugeot models would be introduced to the country. For now, we'll just have to wait and see if the Philippine market would meet the brand's expectations, and vice versa. 

Here are some photos of the Peugeot vehicles that would be brought to the Philippines in July:

The 3008, a five-door crossover

The 5008, a compact MPV

The 508, a large family car

The 308cc cabriolet

The RCZ sports car

A Peek at the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai motors recently launched the new, third generation Hyundai Santa Fe at the 2012 New York Auto Show on April 4. This new model is expected to be on-sale by mid-2012 in North America, and other markets would soon follow. 

This new generation will be offered in two variants, the 5-seater "Sport" and the regular 7-seater Santa Fe. The regular variant would include a unique grille design, optional 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust pipes and a distinct body shape that would emphasize the variant's larger passenger capacity and cargo space. Both the Regular and Sport variants would have the "Storm Edge" design and would feature a refreshed unibody crossover platform, evident in most SUVs in the market today. 

The Sport variant, meanwhile, would feature either a 2.4L engine at 190 horsepower, or a 2.0L 264-horsepower turbo. In addition, Hyundai's Torque Vectoring Cornering Control would be included for a more improved driving performance. Just like in the Hyundai Azera sedan, the Santa Fe would feature six-speed automatic transmission, at 7.16L/100km for the Regular Variant and 7.62L/100km for the 2.0L Sport variant.  This high engine performance as well as additional cargo room is currently unmatched by any vehicle of the same class, and would certainly give competitors a run for their money. 

In the meantime, here are some preview photos of this much-anticipated SUV: 

Chevrolet Philippines to Launch New Models in 2012

The Covenant Car Company (Chevrolet Philippines) promises an exciting year 2012 for Philippine car buyers as they get ready to launch three new car models this year.

According to  Chevrolet Philippines managing director Albert Arcilla, Filipino car enthusiasts and buyers must watch out for the Chevrolet Orlando (a seven-seat compact MPV) this month, as well as the Colorado (a mid-size pick-up truck) and the all-new TrailBlaizer late this year. They might also be bringing in the all-new Chevrolet Sonic (successor to the Aveo) soon. 

The company also promises better accessibility for Filipino Chevy owners (and prospective buyers) as they plan to open seven  new dealerships this year, which would bring the total number of Chevrolet dealerships in the Philippines to 19.

With these upcoming and exciting new launches for 2012, Chevrolet expects their sales to exceed the 2,000 units they sold in 2011. The Covenant Car Company Inc., established in 2009, is the exclusive distributor of all Chevrolet cars sold in the Philippines, and is led by a team of well-experienced executives who aim to rekindle the Filipinos' love for the Chevrolet brand, which was introduced during the American colonial period. 

2012 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Chevrolet Orlando

Chevrolet Colorado

Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon Avantgarde

Lamborghini Coming to the Philippines

The Philippine automotive industry is now buzzing with excitement with the impending arrival of Italian auto-manufacturer Lamborghini later this year. The car company will be brought here courtesy of PGA Cars, who also distributes other European car manufacturers Porsche and Audi (and quite possibly, Volkswagen) here in the Philippines. The Lamborghini showroom could possibly be located at Bonifacio Global City, where PGA Cars Inc. has been constructing their newest facilities (right next to the Bonifacio High Street). 

It's great that more and more car manufacturers have become more confident with the Philippine market (with rumors that the other really famous Italian car manufacturer, Ferrari, could also be making their way here to the Philippines, either later this year or early next year, though to be distributed by another company), but--are our country's roads (particularly Metro Manila) ready to accomodate these supercars OR better yet, will these supercars be ready to adapt to Philippine road conditions? I'm sure the clientele these companies are aiming for are the ones in Metro Manila (since they are planning to set up their showrooms here anyway)--the bustling metropolis known for hellish traffic, flooded streets (during the rainy season), and terrible potholes. Hybrid cars have already been introduced in the Philippines since 2009 but are still not as popular. Aside from their above-normal selling price (because of taxes), people aren't so sure if they are able to adapt to Philippine roads that get flooded often. Repair costs for hybrid cars are, after all, higher than regular vehicles. 

These supercars' speed won't be maximized in hellish Metro Manila traffic

For now, we can only wait and see what happens next. But, who knows? The hindrances I mentioned earlier never really stopped car manufacturers from bringing in their Hybrid cars to the country (like Toyota, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz). 

Here's one last thing I would like to share with you readers. But fair warning though: if you're an avid car enthusiast, this next video will be heartbreaking. I cam across this video on YouTube before--it's a Ferrari F430 (obviously imported) on fire at the South Luzon Expressway. This video was uploaded four years ago and has since had more than 500,000 views. It's such a shame to let this super-expensive car go to waste.

The All-New 2012 Honda Civic

The new, ninth generation Honda Civic (or 2012 model) has been unveiled for the North American Market and has gone on sale this year. The new model is also expected to go on sale in Europe soon, while the launch has been delayed in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. Usually, Honda Civic launches their new models in the Philippines a few months (at least half a year) after they are launched in the U.S.--could we be seeing the new Civic here in the Philippines soon?

The Honda Civic has become a favorite among Filipino car buyers over the years, due to its styling and fuel efficiency. It competes head-on with the Toyota Corolla, which is, of course, one of the world's bestselling cars. In 2010, the Toyota Corolla was the 10th bestselling car in the Philippines (according to TopGear Philippines), and the Civic wasn't even on the list. Will the new 2012 model allow Civic to win back a place in the top five, just like from the years 1995-2002 and 2006-2007? I have to admit, the Civic has been losing its touch over the past few years. Either people go for the cheaper cars (which allowed the cheaper Toyota Vios to wiggle its way to the top spot since 2008, or go for the big SUV's (which put the likes of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport and Toyota Fortuner among the top five in the past few years). With more and more car models being introduced to the Philippines, will the Honda Civic be able to compete? Good luck!

Anyway, here are some photos of the 2012 model (US Market), courtesy of automobiles.honda.com: