Philippine-Made Mazda3 Bags Award

For the third consecutive year, Philippine-built Mazda3 won the Thailand Initial Quality Study (IQS) in the mid-size car segment. This is according to a J.D. Power Asia Pacific Report which released the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2009 Thailand Initial Quality Study.

The study, which measures problems customers experience with their new vehicle during the first two to six months of ownership, examines more than 200 problem symptoms covering eight categories.

These categories, listed in order of frequency of reported problems, include: vehicle exterior; engine and transmission; driving experience; HVAC; audio, entertainment and navigation; features, controls and displays; vehicle interior; and seats.

Overall quality performance is determined by the problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. Read more

Club Feature: Miata Club Philippines

The Miata Club Philippines was established in August 1997, not long after the Mazda MX-5 better known as the Miata was introduced to the Philippine market in 1996. The objective of the club is to give its members the opportunity to enjoy their cars together with other Miata enthusiasts.

The Miata was launched in 1989 and was already hugely successful by the time it was made available locally. In the US, Miata enthusiast have been racing their Miatas in a one make series sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America called Spec Miata.

The lead foots of MCP staged the first Miata Cup race in 2000. That makes 2009 Dunlop Miata Cup Championship (sponsored by Bosch and Dolan) the 10th edition of the clubs racing tradition. The Miata Cup has been blessed to have as its most distinguished competitor, the legend, Pocholo Ramirez. The first race for the 2009 will be called the Pocholo Ramirez Memorial Race in honor of our beloved friend and mentor. Read more

Mazda Philippines Unveils Mazda3 Limited Series at Zoom Fest

Living up to its Zoom-Zoom mantra, Mazda Philippines created buzz over the weekend with the introduction of its Mazda3 Limited Series (1.6L S and 1.6 V variants) at the Mazda Zoom Fest at the Dealers. Mazda3 Limited Series boasts of a complete vehicle package perfect for today’s highly active and urban lifestyle. Mazda3 has been ranked No.1 in quality in the midsize car segment by the J.D. Powers Asia Pacific 2008 Thailand Initial Quality Study, a proof of its excellent driving performance and stylish design that has been widely acclaimed by customers all over the world.

Launched in June 2003, the Mazda3 has become a widely popular compact vehicle that has sold in more than 101 countries. Moreover, it has won 94 global automotive awards to date – including car of the year awards in several countries – an indication of the great reputation the Mazda3 enjoys with customers and journalists alike. Throughout the years, Mazda3 has established itself as a superb statement of automotive engineering, designed and built to enrich the driving experience on the road. Read more

New Mazda MX-5: the Sporty Roadster Just Got Even Better

It was in 1989 when Mazda MX-5 was launched at the Chicago Auto Show. Known as Mazda Miata in North America and Roadster in Japan, the two-seater roadster sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima in Japan became the fastest-selling sports car in its generation. It was hailed as the most popular open-top sports car in the world. The second generation Mazda MX-5 was launched in 1998 featuring a more powerful engine and external styling cues. In 2005, Mazda unveiled its third generation and in the following year, Mazda MX-5 Retractable Hard Top (RHT) was launched featuring a button that would enable the driver to enjoy the comfort and convenience of a hard top and the exhilaration of a convertible in just 12 seconds.

Fast forward to 2009, Mazda Philippines recently gave the Miata Club Philippines a peek at the New Mazda MX-5 during the club’s monthly meeting at the Manila Polo Club. Miata club members were in awe at the sight of the New Mazda MX-5. Mazda Philippines Brand Manager Prudz Castillo summed it best about the Mazda MX-5 facelift, “The New Mazda MX-5 RHT is the epitome of Mazda’s stylish, innovative brand essence and the realization of Zoom-Zoom spirit Mazda is known for.” Built with the principle Jinnba-Ittai or “the car and the driver as one”, the Mazda MX-5 is indeed a car that proves to be the most fun to use, to drive and to own. The New Mazda MX-5 proves that genuine roadster thrill still exists. The latest Mazda MX-5 enhancements indeed cement its reputation as the most enjoyable lightweight two-seat sports car. Read more

Mazda Clubs Feted at Zoom Fest at the Fort

On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, Mazda Philippines celebrated its 5th Anniversary

Zoom Fest at The Fort open grounds on February 14 and 15.  It was a weekend to remember for Mazda club members, the motoring media, drifting enthusiasts and the general public.

Guests were given a special treat as Mazda car owners and modifiers showed off their prized automobiles. Three of the country’s largest groups of Mazda owners– Miata Club Philippines, Club Mazda3 and MazdaTech were present for two days of revelry and friendly competition. Read more

Mazda Philippines Rolls Out Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Team

Living up to its Zoom-Zoom mantra of spirited performance and pure driving excitement, Mazda Philippines recently unveiled its Mazda BT-50 Drift Truck, in collaboration with the Tuason Racing School (TRS).

“The Mazda BT-50 drift truck is a great way to showcase the toughness and handling of our new pick-up truck”, Prudz Castillo, Brand Manager, Mazda Philippines said during the recent Mazda Zoom Fest held at the Fort Open Grounds at the Bonifacio Global City.

The new generation Mazda BT-50 launched in October 2008, boasts of leading-edge driving dynamics developed by Mazda’s sports car engineers that makes the Mazda  BT-50 pick-up perform effortlessly under any driving condition with superior stability and control.  Read more

Mazda Announces Zoomfest 2009 Program and Activities

Mazda invites everyone to join in their 5th anniversary festivities entitled “Mazda Zoomfest 2009″ at the Fort Bonifacio open field (right across NBC TENT) on February 14 and 15, 2009.  The activities are listed as follows:

Opening Ceremonies:

- Mazda Philippines VP Steven Tan’s Message

- Mazda Clubs Presidents’ Recognition / Photo Ops

- Mazda Clubs Presidents’ Message

- Mazda Inter Club Competition Mechanics

- Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Team Launch / Photo Ops

- Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Truck Demo & Ride (Media), February 14,  1:00 – 2:00pm

- Mazda Trivia

- Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Truck Demo & Ride, February14, 3:00 – 3:30pm

- Mazda Trivia

- Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Truck Demo & Ride, February14  4:00 – 4:30pm

- Mazda Club Competition Awarding

- Mazda Trivia

- Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Truck Demo & Ride, February14  5:00 – 5:30pm

- SIDE A Concert,  February14,   5:30 – 7:00pm Read more

Mazda Philippines celebrates 5th Year with Zoom-Zoom activities

On the occasion of its 5th anniversary, Mazda Philippines has announced a line-up of special Zoom-Zoom activities for the public.

Mazda kicked off its fifth anniversary celebration by hosting an appreciation lunch for the media last February 6. The lunch also served as the venue to formally introduce to the media the new Mazda marketing team headed by Steven Tan, VP Sales & Marketing. Mr. Tan thanked members of the motoring media, advertising, and marketing executives of media outlets for their contribution to the success of Mazda over the last five years.

In the same occasion, Prudz Castillo, Brand Manager of Mazda, presented Mazda’s line-up of Zoom-Zoom activities for the public starting with the Zoom Fest on February 14-15, 2009.  The two-day event to be held at The Fort will see the debut of the Mazda BT-50 – TRS Drift Team in collaboration with the Tuason Racing School.  The drift team will also conduct demo and ride exhibitions for the public.  Read more

Mazda Greets ‘09 with 99 ALL-IN Drive Away Deals

Mazda Philippines kicks off its 5th year celebration by announcing a special ALL-IN financing deal on all its models.

For the entire month of January, Mazda buyers can purchase their dream Mazda vehicle of choice with special low down payment options in Mazda’s 99 ALL-IN Drive  Away offer.

Get the Mazda CX-9, Editor’s Pick for C! Magazine Mid-Size SUV for the Year, for a low ALL-IN downpayment of 299K.  Or choose from any of following Mazda variants for 199K ALL-IN: the iconic Mazda MX5 roadster, voted the Sexiest Car in the recent COTY awards; the Mazda6, three-time winner in the executive car category of the COTY awards; the popular Mazda Tribute; or the all-new Mazda BT-50, the spirited pick-up designed for both work and play. As a bonus, the Mazda BT-50 ALL-IN deal also comes with a free Sport Pack for all buyers of the 4×2 variant. Read more

Ford Lays Off 30 Executives In Philippines

The Philippine branch of Ford Motor Co. (F) has fired 30 executives in a cost-cutting measure in the face of the global financial turmoil, a company official was quoted as saying Monday.

Ford Philippines group president Rick Baker was quoted in the Manila Standard newspaper as saying the job cuts, which include three vice-presidents, were equivalent of 15% of the company’s corporate workforce in the Philippines.

The move affects both Ford Philippines and its affiliate Mazda Philippines, the newspaper said. Read more

Next Page »