Anti-Smuggling Group, Car Firms Team Up Against Smugglers

The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) signed recently an agreement to form an alliance against motor vehicle smugglers.

PASG chief Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr. said the memorandum of agreement (MOA) would help protect the local automotive industry which has been losing billions of pesos due to what he described as unabated smuggling of motor vehicles. Read more

All-New Honda Jazz Now Available

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. is pleased to announce commencement of sales of the All-New Honda Jazz in September. The family of Ms. Leilani Recto is one of the first owners of the new Jazz in the country. The Recto family bought a 1.3li variant with manual transmission from Honda Cars Alabang.

The availability of the second generation Jazz in the market demonstrates how a small car can amazingly encompass considerable amount of space, spirited yet fuel efficient driving performance and muscular dynamic styling that perfectly meet the demands of modern lifestyle. Just-recent owners of the new Jazz could not agree more as they share a remarkable sense of joy out of the Jazz’ ingenious harmony of form and function. Read more

Philippine Car Sales Maintain Double-Digit Growth

The Philippine automotive market is on track in meeting its sales forecast for the year as it posts another double-digit growth amid a shaky economic backdrop.

Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) showed that car sales jumped 10.4 percent as the industry sold 10,937 units in September.

“I think it’s really entrepreneurship. We would have wanted a stronger growth, but compared with other markets, we are still lucky because they are really down,” CAMPI President Elizabeth Lee said in a phone interview. Read more

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Unveils 2009 Montero Sport 4×4

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines unveils officially the 2009 Montero Sport 4×4 as an additional model to reinforce its current SUV line up. Mitsubishi’s strong heritage in sports utility vehicles (SUVs) plus the experience it learns from the grueling Dakar rallies are testimonies that the Montero Sport is one remarkable SUV.

The Montero Sport’s urban styling is a sharp departure from the boxy styling of conventional 4×4s. Its muscular presence and high-ground clearance projects an image of rugged durability, yet the sleek profile hints at its passenger-car like performance. Though large in dimensions, it still offers nimble handling and parking maneuverability. Read more

Toyota Philippines Set to Overshoot 2008 Sales Target

Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) will likely overshoot its target this year with sales reaching about 50,000 units, a top company official said.

“We will surpass our initial forecast because the first eight months have been good,” TMPC executive vice president Rommel T. Gutierrez said in an interview at the sideline of the launch of Toyota ’s IMV (Innovative Multi-purpose Vehicle) series. Read more

Local Group Reassumes Control over BMW Philippines

The BMW Group of Germany has decided to return control of its automobile business in the Philippines to its minority partner Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC). The turnover will take effect Jan. 1, 2009.

In line with this BMW Philippines, owned 70 percent by the BMW Group and 30 percent by ACC, will be dissolved by December.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, ACC chairman Jose Ch. “Pepito” Alvarez  said the BMW automobile business in the country will remain intact, but would now revert back to the control of ACC which had previously controlled the franchise. Read more

Soon to Rise: Honda Cars Batangas

Honda recently broke ground on the future site of Honda Cars Batangas (HCBT). Soon to rise along LOT 2607-C-1, Diversion Road, Brgy. Bolbok, Batangas City. Honda Cars Batangas is the 25th full-service Honda dealership in the country.

In bringing world-class products and services closer to its customers, Batangeños will soon enjoy more convenient access to its modern facilities with a 4-car display capacity, general repairs, preventive maintenance and body and paint repair services. HCBT, with land area totaling 7,015 sq. m., is just 5 minutes away from Batangas City town proper. Read more

Toyota Philippines Relaunches Facelifted Hilux

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation is set to introduce the new Hilux this September 2008. Aside from the tough exterior facelift and the functional interior upgrades, the Hilux comes with a new 4X2 2.5 diesel variant in a 4X4 body. The new Hilux is one of the main highlights of the Toyota booth at the 2nd Philippine International Motorshow at the World Trade Center from August 21 to 24, 2008.

The Hilux, launched in December of 2004, was at the forefront of innovation in the pick-up segment. As part of Toyota’s International Innovative Multipurpose Vehicles (IMV) together with the Innova and Fortuner, the Hilux revolutionized the pick-up landscape with its tough features, state-of-the-art diesel technology, but handsome looks. Prior to its introduction, pick-up trucks were seen purely as a practical workhorse. Adding premium to style and form, combined with a powerful engine, the Hilux reigned supreme for the next three years since its introduction, both in the 4X4 and 4X2 segments, with average annual sales of 2,400 units. The pick-up market registered almost 50 percent growth from 2004 to 2007. Read more

Isuzu Launches Passenger Van for Pinoy Entrepreneurs, Celebrates 11th Anniversary

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) launches the 2008 Isuzu Passenger Van (IPV), a reliable, versatile and hardworking commercial workhorse that delivers cost-efficient fuel mileage.

The IPV combines Isuzu’s tried-and-tested 2.5-liter direct-injection diesel engine with a flexible rear portion that can be converted into virtually anything from school bus to delivery van. For 2008, Isuzu freshens up the IPV with a new-look front and rear-body design, lending corporate class to even the most menial of tasks. The rear-body windows have also been redesigned not only to enhance visibility for rear passengers but also to elegantly complement the revised exterior styling of the new IPV. Read more

Philippine Car Sales Down 14.9% in August

Vehicle sales for the month of August dropped 14.9 percent due in part to limited stock availability, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said in a joint report.

However, cumulative sales for the first eight months of the year showed a 13.1 percent growth. In fact, when compared to other countries, the Philippines is doing well. For instance, the US auto market has been dropping for 10 straight months.

In a statement, CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said August is considered the ghost month in the industry because it is seasonally low month Read more

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