BMW Philippines Winds Down Operations, Posts Loss of P187M

Losses of BMW AG’s local unit widened as it ended operations in the Philippines last year and turned over the local dealership to its Filipino business partner.

BMW Philippines Corp., in its 2008 financial report, said it had to sell inventory at a loss ahead of the closure of local operations.

The company’s net loss last year ballooned to P186.53 million from only P22.43 million in 2007. Meanwhile, sales of the leading luxury car brand inched up by only P15 million to P1.89 billion in 2008. Read more

Ford Philippines Asks Government to Relax Rules on Export Credits

Ford Motor Philippines has asked the government to relax the rules on export credits as the American automobile firm grapples with the worldwide crisis which has plagued the industry since last year.

In an interview, Board of Investments (BOI) managing head Elmer C. Hernandez said Ford has asked the government if it can suspend the rule on minimum export requirements because it will be unable to meet the agreed number of exports for this fiscal year. Ford’s fiscal year will end in May.

According to Hernandez, the request was made several months ago when Ford realized that it will not be able to export the required 5,000 units or $75 million worth of vehicles as agreed upon in the government’s export program. Read more

Honda Offers Road Assistance and Free Check-ups this Holy Week

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), ready for the expected influx of motorists this Holy Week by providing on-site travel aid, service and support in different travel destinations through the Honda Emergency Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.) program.

H.E.A.T. is an annual motorist assistance program that is composed of an emergency action team who provides road assistance to motorists encountering problems on their long distance travel in observance of the Holy Week.

“H.E.A.T. is intended for all customers, not just for Honda owners but for other car brands as well,” Mr. Danny Pedro, HCPI’s Senior Assistant Vice President for Parts and Services said. He added, “We, at Honda, want to be your partner for a worry-free and safe trip with H.E.A.T.”  Read more

Russ Swift to be Back at MIAS 2009; Subaru to Unveil New Impreza

Doughnuts. Parallel parking. Two-wheel maneuver. All these and more daredevil stunts world-famous precision driver Russ Swift will perform using the new Subaru Impreza at the Manila International Auto Show scheduled early April 2009.

Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru, is bringing back Swift to treat all car enthusiasts to a thrilling exhibit at the auto show scheduled on April 2-5 at the World Trade Center. Motor Image will also be unveiling the new Impreza Sedan WRX 2.5 Turbo and 2.0 models during the event.

Swift will be back to perform his trademark daredevil moves using the new Impreza Sedan and will try to set a new world record in “doughnuts” with the Impreza WRX STI. Swift currently holds an unbeaten Guinness World Record for parallel parking and was a two-time British Autofest champion and England’s Autotest team captain in 1982 and 1983. In 2004, he set a Guinness World Record for making 10 complete spins or “doughnuts” in just 16.07 seconds, a mere 1.6 seconds for each complete spin. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Still Optimistic Amid Crisis

Isuzu Philippines Corp. is bracing for a slight dip in its sales target for 2009 because of the global crisis, which is also bringing about shifts in strategy to boost its maintenance and repairs services, a top executive said.

At the same, Isuzu also has to deal with imported surplus trucks that are hurting sales of its assembled truck line up in the Philippines.

Keiji Takeda, Isuzu Philippines president, told a roundtable at The Manila Times on Friday that the company this year expects to sell only about 9,000 units. That is lower than its total sales of 10,101 in 2008.

“Last year was a good year,” he said, adding that it was the first time in four years that the company exceeded the 10,000 unit-sales mark. Read more

Toyota Philippines Launches Previa 2009

Competition just got more exciting in the executive minivan segment, with Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. launching the 2009 Previa. In enhancing comfort and styling features, Toyota said it was positioning the Previa as its bet in the executive minivan segment, further strengthening its commercial vehicle leadership.

The new 2009 Previa is equipped with the 4-cylinder, in-line DOHC, 16V engine. The integrated VVT-i technology is designed to make the vehicle’s performance to be powerful yet fuel-efficient. The Previa generates a maximum output of 170 Hp/6,000rpm and a maximum pulling power equivalent to 224 Nm/ 4,000rpm.

The model’s exterior is refreshed with a more modern approach. The 2009 version sports an upgraded chrome radiator grille, a trendier color keyed front bumper, a redesigned rear garnish and rear combi lamp with light-emitting diodes. Remodeled alloy wheels and 17” tires support the structure of the vehicle, giving a more stable and comfortable ride. Previa’s advanced HID headlights, similar to the Camry, features the adaptive Front-Lighting System. The AFS boosts night-driving visibility with low-beam headlights that automatically align with the car’s steering. The driver and front passenger seats improve safety with the integration of an active Whiplash Injury Lessening System into the headrests. Read more

DOTC Eyes Higher Fines for Traffic Violations

Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) yesterday said there is a need to raise traffic fines in view of the rising number of road accidents.

But public transport groups protesting the agency’s refusal to defer raising the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) fines for traffic violations have vowed to conduct a nationwide transport strike on April 3.

Efren de Luna, national president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), said his group and allies such as the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, and the Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (MJODA), have agreed to join forces to stage the nationwide protest action next Friday. Read more

Philippines Still a Budding Market for Luxury Cars

Lexus Manila is cautiously optimistic of sales this year, which marks its official foray into the local luxury-car market.

Hiroyuki Tsuda, Lexus Manila Inc. executive vice president, told a round­table at The Manila Times on Thursday that the global financial crisis would indeed slow down global automotive sales. The luxury-car segment, he said, would not be an exemption, including here in the Philippines, still a budding market for high-end vehicles.

According to Tsuda, Lexus Manila’s sales in the first two months were “a little slow,” as they sold an average of 11 units per month. Read more

All Systems Go for Transport Show 2009

It’s all systems go for Trans Sport Show, the country’s much-awaited car show which is now on its 18th year. Expect the finest array of restored vintage and contemporary cars at the showfloor, which opens April 22, 2009 and will run until April 26, 2009 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall, Building B, Mandaluyong City.

Organized by TradeShow International, Inc. (TSI), Trans Sport Show has drawn the support and participation of Filipino car aficionados and craftsmen who display a keen passion for automobiles. Among the repeat participants this year, for instance, is renowned Filipino sculptor, Ramon Orlina, who will be showcasing an even more interesting VW Beetle.

“Trans Sport Show has always maintained a good number of vintage cars to show every year, combined with the contemporary custom cars,” TSI President Sophie delos Santos said. Indeed, since its inception in 1992 as a general automotive show, Trans Sport Show has evolved into one of the most popular automotive events that car-savvy individuals swarm to. It is the longest running motoring event in the country that car enthusiasts of all ages could easily identify with. Read more

Honda Safety Driving Center Offers Free Road Safety Seminars

Starting March 24, 2009, Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC), the country’s first world-class training facility, began offering free riding seminars every Tuesday, starting at 4:00 PM.

According to HSDC general manager Arnel Doria, “Summer is just around the corner and once graduation is over, we expect thousands of families, barkadas, classmates and officemates to motor to the provinces to escape the summer heat. Before we get to enjoy the beautiful beaches and cool mountain resorts, let us not forget that the most important part of taking a vacation is getting safely to our destination.”

To help prepare holiday motorists for a safe journey, HSDC is offering a free Road Safety Seminar to all car drivers and motorcycle riders. It is open to all types of vehicles regardless of size or brand. This can also be an excellent opportunity for family drivers entrusted with our loved ones’ safety to take a refresher course on driving safely. Read more

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