Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), manufacturer and distributor of Kia vehicles in the country, continues with its campaign to bring its multi-awarded, practical, ever-efficient and value-for-money automotive models to the public with the Kia Trade Up Deals. Designed for car owners wanting to replace their current vehicles, the Kia Trade Up Deals makes it so much easier to upgrade to a brand new Kia. The program shortens the buying process by taking in the customer’s used vehicle and applying the trade-in value towards the purchase of any brand new Kia Picanto, Rio, Sportage, Sorento, Carens, Carnival or K2700. Customers are assured that the best and maximum appraisal value will be applied to each used vehicle brought in for the program, definitely an incentive to all customers. All private vehicles, regardless of brand and model, in good, running condition may be appraised at all authorized Kia dealership nationwide.

With Kia’s Trade Up Deals, CAC aims to sustain the rapid growth it has been experiencing to the latter half of the year in spite of rising fuel cost and overall slow-down of the industry. Based on the latest report from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturer in the Philippines (CAMPI), CAC has reported sales jump of 75% from January to June of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, the highest growth reported in the industry, laying claim to be the fastest growing automotive brand in the country.

To further support Kia’s growth and to satisfactorily serve its customers, CAC has been expanding its dealership network nationwide. Recently, Kia Baguio and Kia West Avenue opened their doors bringing Kia’s total authorized dealers to 53.

Seaoil will ba having its 2nd installment of Fuel Price Lock this week. The prepaid card can be bought at P1,180 for 20 liters (P59.00 per liter). The cards will be available from July 5 to July 20, 2008 and are valid from July 5 to September 20, 2008.

This time all SEAOIL stations in Metro Manila and Rizal are included in the promo. Customers may buy and redeem cards at these stations:

1. A. Bonifacio

2. Binangonan

3. Buendia

4. Cainta

5. Commonwealth

6. Dagat-dagatan

7. Dimasalang

8. EDSA

9. E. Rodriguez

10. Gulod

11. Imalda Avenue

12. Karuhatan

13. Malabon

14. Marikina

15. Maybunga

16. Merville

17. Mindanao Ave.

18. Montalban

19. North Bay

20. P. Tuazon

21. Paco

22. Palatiw

23. Panaderos

24. Paraluman

25. Pasig

26. Payatas

27. Pritil

28. Retiro

29. San Juan

30. San Mateo

31. St. Dominic

32. Sucat

33. Tandang Sora

34. Taguig

Stations to open in July:

35. Arkong Bato

36. Sta. Cruz

37. Legarda

38. Del Monte

Card will be available at Greenhills Theatre Mall (in front of Starbucks), Greenhills V-Mall (in front of SM Appliance Center), Shopwise (2nd level parking) and Metrowalk (Activity Center near Starbucks) observing the following schedule:

Theatre Mall, V-Mall, Shopwise – July 4-6 and July 11-13 (Fridays-Sundays), 11am-6pm

Metrowalk – July 4-5 and July 11-12 (Fridays and Saturdays), 5pm-12mn

The Philippine Auto Club (P.A.C.) now goes beyond its commitment to develop motoring solutions for individuals and corporate clients. Aside from offering efficient roadside service, it now also offers a Driver Skills & Etiquette Seminar for professional drivers to the driving public.

From launching ICE PAC (In Case of Emergency call Philippine Auto Club), the country’s very first nationwide membership-based emergency roadside service, PAC now wants to upgrade the skills of Filipino motorists through its tailor-made seminar for professional drivers (family Drivers, Company Drivers, PUV Drivers). PAC aims to empower participants with the skills and knowledge needed to be better motorists. The program includes defensive driving (prevention of crashes before they occur), driving techniques and safety, proper maintenance of vehicles, road safety, road courtesy, types and meanings of traffic signs and pavement markings, and driver etiquette. To guide and encourage the drivers in attendance, an honest skills and etiquette evaluation from the instructors will also be conducted by the instructors at the end of the program.

The seminar will be held on July 26, 2008 from 9AM to 3PM at the Philippine Auto Club Headquarters located at Midway Court Building, EDSA Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City. Registration Fee is P1,200 inclusive of snacks and lunch. Email info@philippineautoclub.com or call 487-9989 for details.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) reaches a new milestone as it hits the 200,000 unit sales mark since it started operations in 1990. For over 17 years now, Honda has been one of the key manufacturers that have stirred the entire Philippine automotive industry.

“We, at Honda, are all in high spirits as we commemorate cumulative sales of 200,000 units. We are very grateful for your nonstop confidence in Honda’s array of products and services.” Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu, HCPI’s President and General Manager. He added, “200,000 units are not merely sales figures for us. 200,000 represent the number of happy Honda owners throughout the years. 200,000 mark the culmination of passion, dedication and hardwork that distinctively come with every Honda badge. With utmost modesty, we thank you for enabling us to achieve such feat in a brief span of time. This fervently drives us in bringing sheer joy to every Honda owner.”

In celebration of such momentous feat, HCPI honors the 200,000th Honda owner, Dr. John Añonuevo, to show its heartfelt appreciation. Dr. Añonuevo has bought a 2.4li CR-V from Honda Cars Alabang for his wife’s use. “My family’s safety is my top priority. In purchasing a vehicle, we are looking for a model that has advanced safety features and has a highly reputable brand. The Honda CR-V excels in both aspects.” said Dr. Añonuevo. The CR-V’s superior security and safety features have earned accolades internationally. The CR-V has been recognized as a 2007 “Top Safety Pick” by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which is dedicated in reducing highway crash injuries, death and property damages through research and communications. The CR-V is also the recipient of 5-star frontal and side impact ratings from the U.S. National Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), a U.S. Government agency responsible in setting safety standards. “But what really sealed the deal was the sedan-like ride and comfort of the CR-V,” Dr. Añonuevo added. Truly, the third generation CR-V has captured the hearts of Filipino SUV enthusiasts with its class-above features, styling and performance, reaching a total of 5,658 unit sales since its introduction in March 2007.

As a simple token of appreciation, Dr. Añonuevo receives an exclusive lifestyle package that includes free trip to Macau for two, one year membership at Shangri-la and Honda premium items.

“With positive economic fundamentals coupled with strong consumer confidence, new milestones are likely to continue not only to Honda but to the entire automotive industry as well.” said Mr. Arnel Doria, HCPI’s VP for Marketing. “Your unwavering trust in the Honda brand challenges us in constantly creating new values in our products and services.” he concluded.

Visit any Honda showroom nearest you and be part of another milestone in the making.

Kia Motors Corporation is proud to be part of the exciting UEFA EURO 2008 delivering 265 passenger cars and 463 buses to the organization to ensure efficient and smooth transportation in Austria and Switzerland. As a UEFA EUROTOP Partner and official automobile of UEFA EURO 2008, Kia is supplying official vehicles from its wide–range model line-up — Opirus, cee’d, Sorento, Carens and Carnival to boost its brand recognition through commercial displays at the event venues and A-board advertisements in the stadiums.

UEFA EURO 2008 kicked off on June 7 in Basel, Switzerland with the champion scheduled to be crowned on June 29 in Vienna, Austria. The matches will take place throughout eight cities in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt) and Switzerland (Basel, Zurich, Bern, Geneva). UEFA EURO 2008 marks the biggest and the most prestigious event among Kia’s partnership with UEFA.

Kwang-Ho Nam, President of Kia Motors Europe believes that Kia’s active participation in football marketing is an integral part of its vision to become a formidable player in the global automotive stage. This strategic effort is expected to further Kia’s young and energetic brand to boost Kia’s brand awareness worldwide.

Track your car using GSM and GPS technology with TrakM8 Vehicle tracking device! TrakM8 is the coolest new car gadget to invade the Philippines. It sends text messages to your GSM mobile phone wherever it is and wherever you are.

TrakM8 Features

• Where is your Car?
  

Easily locate your vehicle by sending a WHERE text message or by giving your car a missed call. The vehicle will then reply with its current location, direction and speed.

• Security Shield

You can put an invisible 100-meter “security shield” whenever you park your vehicle. When the car moves outside the shield, the vehicle will automatically send a message that the car has breached the security shield. If your car is being stolen or towed away, you’ll instantly know about it before they get away.

• Permitted Area

Trakm8 can text you when your car strays more than a set number of kilometers from your area. You may choose to restrict the person to whom you have lent your car to a certain radius of your hometown. Trakm8 will tell you if your car got too far!

• SOS Alarm

With the SOS button installed, you can discreetly send a text message when you require assistance on the road. A text message with current location is automatically sent to the phone numbers you have pre-selected so they know you need help.

• Speeding Warning

TrakM8 will send you an SMS every time your car exceeds the speed limit that you defined. You can also be notified if your car is accelerating excessively.

• Curfew

You may wish to restrict the use of your car to a certain time of the day or week. Tramigo can send an SMS if the vehicle is used outside the permitted hours that you defined.

• Journey Record

Your vehicle will automatically send a message with a detailed summary of your last journey. The message will tell you the starting point, ending point, total time traveled, total distance traveled, maximum speed and the idle time of your last trip.

• Destination Information

You can set your TrakM8 to send an SMS to a mobile number that you specify when you are a kilometer (configurable) away from your destination included in the built-in 1000+ place gazetteer that has been customized for the Philippines.

TrakM8 will be professionally installed by a trained technician at authorized service centers. The unit and antenna can be completely hidden from view and can also be connected to your ignition, doors or alarm system.

Contact the Philippine Auto Club at 487-9989 or email info@philippineautoclub.com for more details.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the manufacturer and distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines is the proud recipient of the 2008 Kia Distributor of the Year award besting 16 other countries in the Asia Pacific region at the recently concluded Kia Global Distributors Convention held in Beijing, China.

Mr. Felix J. Mabilog, Jr., CAC President and Chief Operating Officer received the award from H.K. Lee, Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors in front of some 224 delegates representing 84 countries where Kia operates. This prestigious award recognizes CAC’s steady growth characterized by aggressive network expansion of its dealerships and continuous improved sales performance. It also acknowledges Kia’s rising brand value in the Philippines as reflected by the increasing recent sales report posted by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers in the Philippines.

The global distributor convention is an annual Kia event that aims to further advance Kia’s global brand in pursuit of the Hyundai-Kia Group’s management philosophy “Innovations for Humanity” while strengthening fellowships among business partners worldwide. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become the fifth largest automaker in the world by 2010. Kia Motors produces more than 1.4 million vehicles annually in 14 manufacturing and assembly plants in eight countries covering distribution in 165 countries.

GASOLINE TO SOAR TO P65/LITER!
Get protection from gasoline price increases with SEAOIL Price Lock Card.

Gasoline prices expected to soar at P65 per liter (please follow this link to read the Inquirer’s headline last Tuesday, June 3, 2008).

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM GASOLINE PRICE INCREASES with SEAOIL Price Lock Prepaid Gasoline Card at P1,070 for 20 liters – that’s only 53.50/liter of G5 X-treme or Unleaded! Rush to Tiendesitas, Shopwise Cubao, V-Mall Greenhills and Metrowalk and avail of this special offer. Hurry! selling period is only from June 10-16, 2008. And hear this, the Price Lock Prepaid Card is valid until August 16, 2008, this means that price is locked for 10 weeks!

MECHANICS:
1. DO NOT SCRATCH silver coating upon purchase of the card. Only the station attendant is authorized to scratch the card.
2. Use this card to buy 20 liters of gasoline (G5 X-treme or Unleaded) from participating SEAOIL stations at a fixed price of P53.50 per liter within the validity period. This card is being sold at P 1,070.00. It should be surrendered to the station attendant upon gas up.
3. The card is good for one transaction only. Unconsumed liters will be forfeited. (Ex. If you purchase 19 liters of gasoline only, you may no longer retrieve the card for the remaining 1 liter.)
4. In case of a gasoline price rollback within the card’s validity period (goes down to less than P 53.50), SEAOIL will refund unused (unscratched) fuel prepaid cards.

For inquiries, call (02) 397-1010.
Per DTI –NCR Permit 2538 Series of 2008

SEAOIL PRICE LOCK PARTICIPATING STATIONS
1. Buendia- Buendia Extension, Makati City
2. Commonwealth- Lot 13, Block 23, Project 8, Brgy. Pasong Putik, North Fairview, Novaliches
3. EDSA- 843-845 EDSA, Brgy. South Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City
4. E. Rodriguez- E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Dona Josefa, District 4, Quezon City
5. Imelda- Lot 1, Block 1, Tatlong Kawayan, Brgy. San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal
6. Malabon- Rizal Avenue Extension, Malabon
7. Maybunga- 479 Dr. Sixto Avenue, Maybunga, Pasig City
8. Merville- Km.14, West Service Road, Brgy. San Dionisio, Merville, Paranaque City
9. Mindanao Avenue- Brgy. Bahay Toro, Tandang Sora, Quezon City
10. Paco- Penafrancia st. corner San Gregorio st., Paco, Manila
11. Panaderos- Old Panaderos corner new Panaderos st., Sta. Ana, Manila
12. Paraluman- Paraluman corner Paraiso st., Brgy Parang, Marikina City
13. Pasig Blvd.- Pasig Blvd., Barrio Bagong Ilog, Pasig City
14. P. Tuazon- P. Tuazon corner EDSA, Cubao, Quezon City
15. Tandang Sora- Tandang Sora Avenue corner Cenacle Drive, Quezon City

Article: Eric Ayrton S. Soriano Photography: Mikko C. David

The first time I laid eyes on the first generation Ford Everest four years ago, I sneered. Here was a poor Ford bastard AUV (Asian Utility Vehicle) trying to fit in alongside its all-American SUV siblings. But no matter how hard it tried, it will never truly be like its popular SUV siblings, I thought. Besides being the only Ford SUV developed solely for the Asian market, it was the only Ford SUV in the Philippine market to run on diesel.

But as fate would have it, my company would later purchase two Everests. And with each kilometer I logged aboard the SUV, my fondness for it grew.

Soon enough, I learned to appreciate the Everest’s conservative styling. It’s not drop-dead gorgeous but its form seems to follow function. And then there’s the size. I really think the Everest’s dimensions are just right for an SUV. This mid-size SUV has seating for seven yet is not too big to be a gas-guzzler or a nightmare to park. A friend of mine who stands 6’ 3” loves the middle-row seats because he swears there’s more leg room there than in some full-size SUVs.

But of course the biggest reason I luvved the Everest is the same reason SUVs are such a big hit all over the world—it gave me a feeling of invincibility in the face of flood-prone and pothole-riddled streets or the occasional off-road foray. (Many would argue that this false sense of invincibility is dangerous but that’s another matter.)

However, the first generation Everest wasn’t exactly the most refined SUV in its class. For one thing, cheap plastic abounded in its spartan interiors. The dash and instrumentation looked to simple and too, well, cheap. And then there was the primitive indirect injection diesel engine whose only saving graces were its torquey and reasonably frugal nature.

What a difference a generation made. In the four years that passed since the first-gen Everest made its debut, common rail direct injection became one of the most important areas for diesel technology research and development. Practically every mass-market car manufacturer and even the premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW joined the bandwagon and came out with their common rail direct injection powerplants.

High tech

Ford would not be left behind, of course. The second generation ’07 Everest was launched quietly in early ’07 and I recently got to test the top of the line 3.0-liter 4×4. Beneath its hood lurked a new common rail direct injection turbo diesel engine good for 156 hp and 380 Nm of torque. To help put all these technological breakthroughs into perspective, this powerplant develops about 29% more power than the previous gen’s 2.5 liter engine yet is about 15% more fuel efficient (“Fuel-efficient Ford SUV” is no longer an oxymoron).

So what’s the big deal about common rail direct injection? Well, it squeezes out more energy from every droplet of diesel fuel by injecting very precise amounts of fuel directly into the combustion chamber under extremely high pressure and optimizing combustion. The Everest’s engine is managed by a sophisticated microprocessor that controls engine variables under all types of driving conditions. Force-feeding air into the engine is a variable geometry turbocharger designed in such a way that virtually eliminates turbo lag while broadening the torque curve for rapid engine response throughout the rev range.

Mated to a 5-speed automatic tranny, this engine delivers power and torque smoothly and quietly (for a diesel, that is). It can you to a top speed of over 200 kph. At triple digit speeds, ride is stable, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring. When you reach the end of the road, the 3.0 liter variant’s shift-on-the fly four-wheel drive system and high ground clearance will help ensure you have a trouble-free drive to the middle of nowhere.

At home in any kind of jungle

When sh*t happens…

To keep all that torque in check, the Everest is equipped with an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution. When sh*t does happen, well, the Everest is the only SUV in its class to offer dual front and side airbags for the front row.

From the side and rear, the styling changes from the previous model are hardly noticeable. The most notable exterior changes are the bigger headlamps, more aggressive-looking grille, and sportier wheels. The ’07 model’s interior is way more inviting than its predecessor. I liked the classy combination of beige and black leather mixed with black plastics with silver accents.

One of my few complaints about the unit I tested was the air con, which failed to overpower the mid-day sun’s searing rays and the heat absorbed by the leather upholstery. But this was probably a minor problem that affected only the particular unit I tested. Oh yeah, I wasn’t a fan of the Everest’s faux wood trimmings and I sometimes wished they just got devoured by faux termites.

True value

With a retail price of P1.59 million, you could have this baby with four-wheel drive, seating for seven, and a sophisticated fuel-efficient engine. Compared to the similarly sized Ford Explorer retailing at P2.295 Ford Explorer, the 3.0 liter Everest variant develops more torque, has two more drive wheels (the ‘plorer is a 4×2), and will probably net you fuel bills equivalent to just a fourth of the Explorer’s.

From being the former black sheep of the Ford SUV brood, the second generation Everest has powered its way to becoming the Ford SUV that gives the best value for money.