Disclosure: Astara Philippines, the official importer and distributor of GAC Motor Philippines, kindly lent me a 2023 GAC GS4 for eight days. It arrived with a full tank of fuel and loaded RFID cards. They always say, “Never judge a book by its cover.” But experience has taught me (and perhaps many of us) that carrying preconceived notions about people or things can actually be useful. In my work as a reporter, I generally talk to high-level officials when I want to discuss the intricacies and n

The Nissan Z series has formed part of the Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) lineup since the days of the 350Z. Even amid fluctuating fuel prices and economic loop-de-loops from the COVID-19 pandemic, NPI has always ensured that its iconic rear-wheel-drive sports car was available to Filipino enthusiasts. The Japanese carmaker launched the latest version of the Z (known elsewhere as the 400Z) locally on September 2, 2023, alongside the latest version of the venerable R35 Nissan GT-R. One notable asp

The facelifted 2023 Nissan Almera is expected to launch in the Philippines sometime in June 2023. This is according to a source with intimate knowledge of the upcoming model but requested anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak on the matter. The updated Almera is also expected to launch in ASEAN on May 11, 2023, following the debut of the facelifted Nissan Versa, the Almera’s American sibling, last October 2022. Bigger grill, special paint The facelifted Almera is expected to carry ov

The 2023 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) saw many new crossovers launch and officially debut in the Philippine market. The majority of the launches at the show were crossovers, with a few sedans and hatchbacks as well. We had the likes of the Jetour Dashing, which was revealed before the auto show. We also had the GAC Emkoo and the Ford Territory, which publicly debuted at the event. As these three crossovers are new to the segment, we decided to compare quickly to see which one, at least

The all-new Honda BR-V has been officially launched. And here are the prices of each variant: 1.5 S MT - ₱ 1,090,000 1.5 S CVT - ₱1,150,000 1.5 V CVT - ₱1,295,000 1.5 VX CVT - ₱1,390,000 It is a particularly important model for Honda Cars Philippines Inc. because it is the Japanese carmaker’s entry in the hotly-contested subcompact, seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment. The BR-V also enters the fray weeks after the official launch of Hyundai’s four-wheel spaceship, the Stargazer MPV.

Ask any self-respecting motorists about what combination of factors constitutes an "ideal car" and they would, in a lightning-fast jiffy respond that they want these three exceptional elements; outstanding performance, environmentally friendly, and fuel-efficient er, cars. Then morosely observed as he/she blabbers on about how this particularly latest car model has that compendium of slickest features, futuristic-looking specs, blah-blah, so on, and so forth with their incessant mouthing off unt