This year’s auto industry rigodon has new participants. Astara Philippines, the multinational mobility distributor that handles the local operations of Peugeot and GAC Motor, announced in an August 2023 press statement that it has appointed two well-renowned executives in key leadership positions. Timmy Naval-de Leon, who was formerly head of corporate communications of the Ayala Corporation’s automotive arm AC Motors for nine years, is now Astara Phiippines’ new marketing director. Naval-de Leo

Jetour Philippines has just celebrated 100 days in the local automotive market. During this period, the new Chinese brand has achieved several key milestones that have become keys to its success. First, it sold 300 units in the first three months of its operation, which is quite the feat for a new marque. And second, it has already started growing its dealer network in the country and is set to have 16 showrooms by the end of 2023. Also read: Dami na! JETOUR Philippines set to hit target of 16 d

Disclaimer, GAC Philippines lent us the GAC Emkoo GE with a full gas tank for 15 days with access to its two RFID cards. The GAC Philippines debuted the 2023 GAC Emkoo at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show. It's part of the brand’s growing crossover portfolio in the Philippines as it seeks to take a bigger piece out of the local market with Astara Philippines backing it up. The new Emkoo brought futuristic styling to the motor show, turbocharged power, and many new features to attract the c

Although Mazda Philippines is pivoting more towards crossovers, there’s still something deeply appealing about its subcompact Mazda2. From its sharp styling to its class-leading driving dynamics, the little Mazda proves that, even after nine years, a small car doesn’t have to be a life sentence to a dull drive. In Thailand, the Mazda2 has gotten a makeover, with the facelifted model launching on June 21, 2023. Aside from the new looks, it gets upgrades to its safety features to put it on par wit

The Mazda 2 is one of the brand’s older models still available in the global market. It's already in its 9th year of production, way past the prime age for a replacement. In car years, it should have been at the end of its succeeding generation by now. The nameplate already received a facelift in 2019 in which the model got a sleeker front and rear design and the inclusion of G-Vectoring Plus (GVC Plus). However, instead of launching a replacement, it appears that Mazda wants this B-segment hatc

Even amid the sport-utility vehicle craze, the hatchback remains a popular choice for buyers across the world. Unlike a traditional four-door sedan, a hatch has three or five doors with the cargo area integrated into the cabin. If you own a small business and use the family car for work on the side, a hatchback is unbelievably practical because passenger space and cargo space can easily be swapped around, without resorting to buying a huge van. My family has a fleet of vehicles that are exclusiv