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Gelael Rules Asian Karting Open Championships Second Leg

After topping the Pre-Final race that determined grid positions in the Final, Sean Gelael took a flag-to-flag victory in the premier Formula 125 Open Senior category of the Asian Karting Open Championships (AKOC) second leg at the Kartodromo de Coloane in Macau.

From the time the red lights went out signaling the start until the checkered flag dropped, the 16-year-old Gelael took command of the 24-lap race and never looked back. The young Indonesian crossed the finish line to the cheers of a large crowd in the grandstand.

Throughout the race, Malaysia’s Weiron Tan, who submitted the fastest time during qualifying, tried to chase down Gelael but the latter’s smoothness and confidence proved to be too much of an advantage. Taking third was Christian Silvano of Indonesia, who settled into a comfortable pace that produced enough room between himself and the flying Edward Cheever, who started from 18th, sliced his way up the field into fourth place and set the fastest lap of the race (49.27 seconds). The spectacular Alexandra Asmasoebrata, meanwhile, bucked a bad start that dropped her from third to ninth. She fought her way back to take the final podium position, giving Indonesia four out of the top five positions. Erstwhile AKOC series leader Richard Bradley of Singapore, retired on the seventh lap with mechanical trouble.

In 18-lap Formula 125 Open Junior final, Singaporean Andersen Martono, 13, triumphed over the 16-kart field to take his first victory in this year’s series. Despite injuring his wrist in the Pre-Final, Darma M. Hutomo of Indonesia braved the pain to take second place ahead of his tenacious compatriot Yasuo Senna Iriawan. Rounding out the last two podium positions were Singapore’s Christian Villeneuve and Thailand’s Supanut Suwankham, who set the fastest lap of 49.909 seconds. Read the story »

AKOC Second Leg Flags Off This Weekend in Macau

MACAU, FRIDAY, 9 JULY 2010—THE second leg of the Asian Karting Open Championships (AKOC) unfolds this weekend, the 9th to 11th of July, 2010, on Macau’s Kartodromo de Coloane.

Seeing action on 1.2 km-long kart circuit are some of the best karters from the region.

A total of 58 drivers representing the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau will fight for honors in the various categories up for grabs, namely, Formula 125 Open Senior, Formula 125 Open Junior, Formula 125 Open Veteran, Rotax Max Senior, Rok Senior, Rotax Max Junior, Rok Junior and Mini Rok.

Currently leading the standings in the premier Formula 125 Senior category is Singapore’s Richard Bradley, who forged a convincing victory in the opening leg held at the Carmona Circuit in the Philippines. Challenging him this weekend are Ryan Mumford and Tan Wei Ron of Malaysia, Indonesia’s Andi Aviandha Triadna Jakile and Senna Sulaiman Noor, as well as Stefano Marcelo, Juha Turalba, VJ Suba, Javi Benitez and Joey Orduna.

In the Formula 125 Open Junior Class, point leaders Yasuo Senna Iriawan of Indonesia and Filipino Franco Reyes are set to resume their rivalry. However, they will be hard pressed to defend against Jette Calderon of the Philippines and Chatmongkon Wisutthisen of Thailand. Read the story »

CAMPI Foresees Long-Term Auto Industry Investors

Foreign investors particularly in the automotive sector are taking a serious look in terms of long term investments in the country because the successful first automated national elections have sent a positive signal to investors, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) said.

“The relatively peaceful election means only one thing and that is, a more vibrant automotive industry for 2010. This augurs well for the Philippines, and for Filipinos as foreign investors take a serious second look in terms of mid to long term investments- particularly in automotive,” CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said.

“We can now step on the throttle and go full speed ahead with perhaps business ‘unusual’ as we look forward to an improved environment on the back of stronger consumer and business confidence that will benefit auto sales,” Lee added.

The industry’s confidence was also boosted by the issuance of Executive Order 877 or the new Motor Vehicle Development Program.

Lee said that once the initial errors and inconsistencies have been corrected and all the stakeholders are invited in the crafting of the EO’s implementing rules and regulations, then the MVDP would help attracting new investments in the auto sector. Read the story »

Mitsubishi Philippines Posts Highest Monthly Sales

As the auto industry chalked up a strong performance in the first four months of 2010, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.achieved its highest monthly sales last April with 3,004 units. This volume is Mitsubishi’s highest after the Asian crisis of 1997. In addition, Mitsubishi’s April 2010 sales accounted for a significant increase of 59.4% compared to April 2009’s 1,885. From January to April, Mitsubishi said it has sold 10,188 units, for a 51% growth over the same period last year.

The Japanese-controlled carmaker attributed its growth to the aggressive financing terms banks/financial institutions gave even to entry level buyers, such as small to medium entrepreneurs and families of migrant workers.

All industry categories saw increased sales, with Mitsubishi passenger cars surging by 51.6% fueled by Lancer 1.6 and Lancer EX 2.0 models. Mitsubishi’s light commercial vehicles also increased by a 56.4% over last year’s level. Mitsubishi was able to achieve 19% market share and maintained its ranking as the 2nd best selling automotive brand in the Philippines.

A new vehicle line up also kept buyers coming in. The Montero Sport drew interest in the SUV segment. Sales of Montero Sport grew by 90% over last year’s level and continued to lead the SUV segment.

Manila Standard Today

Toyota Philippines Offers Promo for Vios, Innova

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) extends its latest promo offerings until May 31. Customers can choose from “Pay Light”, “Pay Cash” or “Pay Low” packages to avail of cash discounts and low monthly amortization rates.

“Pay Light” offers monthly plans for as low as P6,400 for Vios 1.3E M/T and P7,400 for Innova J Gas for up to 72 months with 50 percent downpayment. Zero percent interest payment for up to 18 months is also available for selected variants.

Under “Pay Cash”, cash buyers may get up to P40,000 savings for Innova V, G, and E diesel variants.
Lastly, “Pay Low” plan offers downpayments of as low as P65,000 for Vios 1.3E M/T and P79,000 for Innova J Gas. In addition, Innova customers are entitled to free one-year comprehensive insurance, free three-year LTO registration, and free chattel mortgage fee.

Affordable payment options for the newly-introduced Vios 1.3E A/T are also available with the Toyota Great Summer Savings.

“Pay Light” with only P6,887 for 72 months with 50 percent downpayment, “Pay Low” with 10 percent downpayment of P72,000 or “Pay Cash” and get P20,000 cash savings.

“Pay Light” and “Pay Low” transactions are subject to Toyota Financial Services (TFS) credit approval.
Participating models include all variants of Innova (except SR), and Vios 1.5 and 1.3E only.

Visit any of the 27 dealerships nationwide and avail of the Toyota Great Summer Savings before summer ends.

Manila Bulletin

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