Total Philippines: Ethanol Supply to Boom in Next Two Years

THE next two years may be the banner year for the local ethanol-supply industry, Ernst Wanten, Total (Philippines) Corp. president and managing director, indicated to reporters in an interview on Friday.

“Though there is an ethanol-supply shortage today, the government needs to encourage more local ethanol producers to put up the needed processing plants,” Wanten said.

The recently appointed Total official said there is a problem in securing ethanol owing to the shortage in local and international supply.

Wanten said his company has already fully complied with the 10-percent ethanol blend as mandated in the Biofuels Act of 2006. He even shared that there could even be a supply shortage in 2011, when all oil companies blend 10 percent of ethanol (E10) in their entire gasoline product line. Read more

Honda Captures Fun Family Moments with CR-V Photo Contest

The search is on for the most fun and memorable family moments with the CR-V. Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. recently announced the launch of its My Kind of CR-V Fun photo contest. Open to owners of the 3rd generation CR-V which was introduced in the market back in 2006, My Kind of CR-V Fun photo contest aims to capture how the CR-V has taken part of happy family trips and gatherings – simply suitable to the Filipino lifestyle. With its sophisticated styling, sedan-like ride and comfort, the CR-V is truly the perfect vehicle for any occasion.

Exciting prizes will be given to the lucky winners! The photo that best reflects the theme of the contest wins the Flip Video digital camrecorder. Flip Video offers easy video recording, editing and sharing in an ultra-portable design so that you can capture more of those family memories. Honda premium laptop bags will also be given as consolation prizes to five other lucky senders. Aside from these exciting prizes, the top six (6) photo entries will be printed on Honda’s official magazine, Challenge Magazine and posted on www.hondaphil.com. Read more

New Importer-Distributor for Chevrolet Named

Top global automaker General Motors (GM) steers Chevrolet to a new direction in the Philippines with the announcement of its new importer and distributor, The Covenant Car Company, Inc (TCCCI). The newly established company hopes to lead the iconic “bow tie” brand to a new and highly competitive track in the local automotive industry.

At the official launch on November 11, 2009 held at Sentro 1771 in Serendra inside Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, TCCCI revealed valuable insights on Chevrolet’s revved up rebirth, particularly about the inspired partnership with GM.

Guest of honor US Embassy Commercial Attaché Patrick Wall along with Steve Carlisle, president of General Motors Southeast Asia Operations and General Motors Thailand; Antonio Zara, vice president, ASEAN Vehicle Sales, Marketing & After Sales; and Chee Sing Cheong, director, ASEAN Regional Distributors Operations, were on hand to celebrate the new phase for Chevrolet in the Philippines under the stewardship of TCCCI. Read more

Sport Trucks, Custom Cars in Manila Auto Salon Show

The Manila Auto Salon, featuring sport trucks, classic cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, crossovers, restyling products and accessories, tires and wheels, bikes and car clubs, will be held Nov. 26-29 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

Three big events are lined up in the four-day affair, including the 14th Custom Car Show, the 14th Sport Truck Show and the third Mobile Electronics and Technology Show.

Aside from the competition events, the Auto Salon also showcases a wide range of car-enhancing accessories, gadgets and gizmos, tires and wheels, and the best mobile electronics. Read more

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines and Almazora Motors Corporation Introduce the “BEEP”

Almazora Motors Corporation (AMC) a leading bus body manufacturer and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines collaborate for a viable alternative for the popular public utility vehicle the jeepney. The “BEEP” (Bus-jeep), is a micro sized bus which is suitable for crowded cities such as Metro Manila. It was designed for the primary purpose of modernizing Metro Manila’s public transport.

Inspired by European Gruau Microbus which exemplifies safety, convenience and modernism, the BEEP is designed for use as city passenger service. It has a seating capacity of 26 passengers (seating for 18 including driver and standing for 8). The BEEP body is locally designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors, while the chassis is supplied by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines using brand new FUSO Canter light duty truck which complies fully with Philippine emission and safety regulations.

The BEEP responds as a feasible option to alleviate pollution and also the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila with its appropriate size and compliance to emission standards. Even our government recognizes that the jeepney is a problem that has defied solution. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has reported that jeepneys contribute 50% of the pollution in Manila. Also the traffic flow in Metro Manila is worsened by oversized jeepneys with excessive turning radius that usually clog the U-turn slots. Currently the jeepney population as reported by the DOTC is around 400,000 units, 70,000 of which are in Metro Manila. Read more

CAMPI: Auto Sales Up 12.9% in October 2009

Auto sales jumped by 12.9 percent to 12,761 units in October from September’s 11,304 units as car owners scramble to replace vehicles damaged by the typhoons, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CAMPI) said.

For the first 10 months, sales went up by 1.3 percent to 106,146 units from 104,757 units a year ago.

“Overall, industry players are optimistic that targets can be achieved barring any major negative developments. Banks have continued to support the industry with availability of financing at lower rates, OFW remittances which are seen to increase during the holiday season will continue to support consumption, and players are offering promotions which make acquisition easier, in time for the holidays,” CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said. Read more

Honda cars: The Unanimous Choice in Auto Focus Awards

Honda Cars Phils., Inc. expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the general public as it garners recognition for ALL its models during the 2009 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards.

For three years in a row, the Civic has remained the undisputed Compact Sedan of the Year awardee. With its refreshed styling, sporty demeanor and advanced technologies, the Civic is still the top choice of the market today. Continuing the winning streak is the City, being proclaimed as the Subcompact Sedan of the Year. Noted for setting a new standard in its class, the City has upped the ante with class leading technologies that used to be exclusive for higher displacement models. The City neatly merges modernism with practicality for an ultimate driving pleasure.

Meanwhile, the Accord and the CR-V are named runner ups in the midsize sedan and compact SUV categories. Capable of activating and deactivating cylinders only when needed, the Accord V6 with VCM technology combines the comfort of refined and spirited performance with fuel efficiency. Likewise, the CR-V has gained a strong market following as it has carved a name in providing sedan-like ride comfort. Read more

Honda Philippines Partners with Fleet Accounts in Promoting Fuel Efficieny

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. recently partnered with its corporate fleet accounts in promoting the importance of fuel efficient driving and in making it a habit. Taking into consideration the number of cars being managed by these accounts, a simple tweak on driving habits makes significant difference in extending fuel mileage.

The increase in CO2 emissions, rapid depletion of fuel supply and threat of global climate change make the need for any form of savings and corrective measures highly essential.

Accordingly, Honda invited 10 fleet accounts and embarked on a fuel efficient driving competition entitled, Honda Challenge Cup to demonstrate practical driving methods under real-world situations. Encouraging everyone to drive every drop, the competition posed various challenges in both city and highway driving conditions using normal, day-to-day driving style and with a running airconditioning system. Read more

Toyota Philippines Offers Special Discounts for New Vehicle Purchases of Typhoon-affected Customers

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation offers special sales incentives for new vehicle purchases of Typhoon-affected Toyota Customers. The devastating effects of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng have left a lot of vehicles damaged, some beyond repair. To aid flood-affected Toyota customers, TMPC will offer discounts ranging from P25,000 to P62,000 for select Toyota models for purchases made from October 1-31, 2009.

There are two ways to avail of Toyota’s special sales incentive. With the PAY CASH scheme, customers with cash purchases will enjoy special discounts for the Vios, Innova, Yaris, Avanza, Hilux, Altis, Hiace, Fortuner, RAV4 and Camry.

With the PAY LOW scheme purchases made through Toyota Financial Services (TFS) Lease-to-Own scheme will enjoy payment terms from 24 to 60 months, 10 to 30% cash out, and an all-in package including free one-year insurance with Acts of God coverage, LTO registration, and no chattel mortgage. A 90-day payment holiday will also be enjoyed wherein the first monthly amortization will be settled by customers three months after vehicle release. Read more