Honda achieved distinguished recognition for its subcompact and executive sedan models during the 5th Annual C! Awards held recently at One Esplanade in Pasay City.
Besting three other nominees, the 1.5 Honda Jazz was named the class winner in the subcompact sedan category. C! Magazine’s August issue remarked that, “Honda certainly took the Jazz to a whole new level especially with the 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine, the clever use of space, nifty features and sporty-inclined handling.”
In bringing sheer driving enjoyment to greater heights, the 1.5 Jazz comes with a race-inspired paddle shift that is also available in other bigger models like the Civic and the Accord. The paddle shift option enables manual shifting of gears without the clutch. The Honda Jazz also offers more than enough space to match active lifestyles. Offering versatility in seat configurations, the ULTRA seats can accommodate almost anything – be it long, tall or any utility items.
Meanwhile, the 3.5 liter Honda Accord was also acclaimed the best in the executive sedan category. As C! Magazine put it in its latest issue, “Its performance- be it forward or lateral motion- is perfectly suited for the executive that prefers to get behind the wheel.”
The V6 Honda Accord is powered by the i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control) engine that is equipped with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). VCM is a new generation of fuel-efficient technology that closes down cylinders when not needed. Coined as the VCM 643, this technology provides seamless activation and deactivation of cylinders from 6 to either 4 or 3 to match one’s driving requirements.
The 5th Annual C! Awards aim to honor the country’s finest automobiles and the entire automotive industry as well. Each nominee was meticulously assessed based on power, space, comfort, handling, value for money and other features that make it distinct in its class.
|
(L-R) Ms. Joanne Sofela, Sr. Science Research Specialist of DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Division and Mr. Voltaire Gonzales, Vehicle Sales and Corp. Comm. Department Head of HCPI, flagging-off the 3.5 Honda Accord
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. recently held the 2009 Honda Challenge Cup, a fuel efficiency driving competition that promotes fuel economy awareness in the face of unstable fuel prices.
Honda, in cooperation with Petron, embarked on this drive to demonstrate how a simple fuel efficient driving style can make a big difference. Having ‘Drive Every Drop’ as the over-all theme, the competition posed various challenges in both city and highway driving conditions using normal, day-to-day driving style with running air conditioning system. Natural driving environment was chosen for the competition. For city driving portion, participants traversed the traffic congested roads of Ayala Avenue, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and EDSA at around 10 AM. Meanwhile for highway driving leg, participants tackled the North Luzon Expressway on the way to Angeles, Pampanga and back to Petron Balagtas station. The team with the best kilometer per liter record generated by adding the fuel consumption within the 38.8 km stretch of city driving and within the 111.0 km distance under highway driving condition wins.
2009 Honda Challenge Cup Winners, together with Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu, President and Gen. Manager of HCPI
A total of 24 participants composed of members of the media and Honda Club of the Philippines joined the economy run and put up a good fight. Participants were divided into 12 teams, each team composed of a driver and a navigator. Two teams were tasked to compete in one of the six categories, which represent different Honda variants namely: 1.3 City, 1.5 City, 1.3 Jazz, 1.8 Civic, 2.0 CR-V and 3.5 Accord. Each competing vehicle was loaded with Petron XCS, the official gasoline of 2009 Honda Challenge Cup.
The team of Jeff Aspacio and Julius Valdoz topped the 1.3 City category with an average fuel mileage of 20.28 km/li. Paul Santos and Carlo Reyes led the 1.5 City category with 20.62 km/li, Mikko David and Datu Jainal with 17.51 km/li for the 1.3 Jazz category, Joshua Dayto and Allan Jaramillo with 15.19 km/li for the 1.8 Civic category, Jude Morte and Conrad Tumpalan with 17.85 km/li for the 2.0 CR-V category, and lastly, Eggay Quesada and Martin Fernando with 12.36 km/li for the 3.5 Accord category.
“Being one of the key industry players, Honda takes serious corporate responsibility in fostering improvement in fuel economy and reduction of harmful emissions. Burning less fuel not only means monetary savings but also reduces deposit of harmful emission to the environment" says Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu, President and General Manager of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. “Thus, Honda takes the much-needed proactive measures in advocating the significance of fuel economy.”
Honda is committed in developing products and technologies that have minimal footprint on the environment. In order to reach the greatest impact on fuel economy and clean air, Honda has always targeted the mass-market models. Years of research has led to the development of engines with highly efficient internal combustion system like the i-VTEC engine. Powering Honda’s complete model line-up, the i-VTEC technology lets you drive every drop of fuel by employing valve timing combination that pumps in fuel only when needed. More than outstanding fuel efficiency, Honda vehicles are also engineered to pass the stringent European Emission Standards. Aimed to regulate the amount of pollution that can be released into the atmosphere, these standards set the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in Europe. Among local manufacturers, Honda is the only brand that has reached EURO 4 levels for ALL its model line-up, even if Philippine regulations only require EURO 2 compliance. As early as 2004, Honda has started to introduce models with EURO 4 levels in the country, accumulating over 64,000 Euro 4 level units sold.
Honda hopes that with the Honda Challenge Cup, it is able to spread the word on proper and practical driving methods and ultimately, convince road users to get the most out of fuel, DRIVE EVERY DROP and reduce emissions towards a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come.
|
Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation is all set to launch the New Camry by Mid-August. First shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, the local introduction of Toyota’s most successful high-end brand is much anticipated. The changes in the new Camry include a new fascia with a refreshed design for the front bumper, radiator grille and headlamp as well as the rear combination lamps. On the interior, the speedometer design is now more luxurious, while an auxiliary input system for external audio sources is added.
Apart from the four original shades of white pearl, silver metallic, black mica and beige metallic, an additional grey metallic shade makes the color line-up more diverse. The new Camry will retain its three variants—but the mid-grade 2.4V will now adapt the push start and smart entry system that previously distinguished the top-of-the-line 3.5Q V6 variant. Prices range from Php 1,451,000 for the base variant 2.4G automatic transmission, Php 1,681,000 for the mid-grade 2.4V, and Php 2,010,000 for the 3.5Q V6 dual VVT-I variant. “The Camry has been a source of pride for Toyota for many years since it arrived in the Philippines. True to its nature, the Camry exemplified true leadership as it constantly dominates the medium passenger / executive sedan segment. We are confident that the 2010 Camry will further
reinforce Toyota’s image in terms of premium luxury, advanced technology, and
uncompromising power in a mid-size sedan.,” expressed Raymond Rodriguez, First Vice
President for Vehicle Sales Operations.
|
Team Develops Energy Efficient Tire That Won’t Go Flat
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company have developed an airless tire to transport large, long-range vehicles across the surface of the moon.
The new “Spring Tire” with 800 load bearing springs is designed to carry much heavier vehicles over much greater distances than the wire mesh tire previously used on the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). The new tire will allow for broader exploration and the eventual development and maintenance of a lunar outpost.
According to Vivake Asnani, NASA’s principal investigator at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, this was a significant change in requirements that required innovation. “With the combined requirements of increased load and life, we needed to make a fundamental change to the original moon tire,” he said.
“What the Goodyear-NASA team developed is an innovative, yet simple network of interwoven springs that does the job. The tire design seems almost obvious in retrospect, as most good inventions do.”
The Spring Tire was installed on NASA’s Lunar Electric Rover test vehicle and put through its paces at the Johnson Space Center’s “Rock Yard” in Houston where it performed successfully.
“This tire is extremely durable and extremely energy efficient,” noted Jim Benzing, Goodyear’s lead innovator on the project. “The spring design contours to the surface on which it’s driven to provide traction. But all of the energy used to deform the tire is returned when the springs rebound. It doesn’t generate heat like a normal tire.”
According to Goodyear engineers, development of the original Apollo lunar mission tires, and the new Spring Tire were driven by the fact that traditional rubber, pneumatic (air-filled) tires used on Earth have little utility on the moon. This is because rubber properties vary significantly between the extreme cold and hot temperatures experienced in the shaded and directly sunlit areas of the moon. Furthermore, unfiltered solar radiation degrades rubber, and pneumatic tires pose an unacceptable risk of deflation.
According to Asnani, the Spring Tire does not have a “single point failure mode. What that means,” he said, “is that a hard impact that might cause a pneumatic tire to puncture and deflate would only damage one of the 800 load bearing springs. Along with having this ultra-redundant characteristic, the tire has a combination of overall stiffness yet flexibility that allows off-road vehicles to travel fast over rough terrain with relatively little motion being transferred to the vehicle.”
NASA has been so impressed with the tire that it decided to highlight the project during NASA’s recent “Day on the Hill” exhibit at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. “I spoke with 10 to 15 members of Congress and about sixty staffers,” noted NASA’s Asnani. “Virtually everyone I spoke with was blown away by the idea that this technology may one day be used, not only for extraterrestrial vehicles, but also, perhaps, for vehicles here on Earth.”
Additionally, NASA has highlighted this technology development in its annual Hallmarks of Success video series. The series features NASA’s most positive corporate team efforts. Goodyear was one of only 11 corporations and the only tire company included in the video. Those interested in viewing the video may do so at http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ipp/video/hallmarks_ moontires_index.html.
Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs approximately 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 25 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information on Goodyear, please visit www.goodyeartires.com.
The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center is one of NASA’s 10 field centers, empowered with the resources for developing cutting-edge technologies and advancing scientific research that address NASA’s mission to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research. Working in partnership with government, industry and academia, the center serves to maintain the U.S. economy’s global leadership while benefiting the lives of people around the world.
|
Honda Cars Phils., Inc. (HCPI) recently awarded a brand new Jazz with vibrant and exclusive purple artwork to Mr. Calvin Galgana, the grand prize winner of the Yahoo! Purple Hunt game.
Yahoo! Purple Hunt was a treasure hunt activity that entailed solving online clues and tracking down treasures located around Metro Manila.
The hunt ultimately led to a brand new Jazz that sports dynamic styling, spirited performance, versatile ULTRA seat configurations for all sorts of utility items and most importantly, remarkable fuel economy.
Armed with quick wits, proficient skills and a bit of luck, Mr. Galgana beat the other 2,000 successful online registrants who attended the finale event and wound his way through the Yahoo! maze at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City. Initially, this senior college student of New Era University just found simple delight in cracking the codes. But as he inched his way to the final eliminations, pure adrenaline and determination got him moving closer to the ultimate plum.
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. partnered with Yahoo! Philippines in its social networking movement called Project Purple. Commencing last June, this movement aimed to ignite pinoy passions by promoting creativity, innovativeness and freedom of expression in a fun and refreshing way.
“The Honda Jazz shares the same ideals as Yahoo!. Perfectly fitting the intentions of the event, the Jazz exudes fun and vibrancy that enable expression and pursuit of one’s passion. The Jazz comes packed with features that suit today’s active lifestyles, making it the country’s only Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV).“ said Mr. Voltaire Gonzales, HCPI’s Vehicle Sales and Corporate Communications Department Head.
|
Honda cars have always been known for their power, fun to drive and exhilarating driving performance. But there is one aspect where this king of racing is a lot slower than its competitors—depreciation.
Depreciation is one aspect most car buyers overlook. When it comes to money matters, many buyers stop at the sticker price when choosing a new vehicle. However, the ownership cost of a car is a lot more than just how much you paid for it. It’s also about how much people are willing to pay for your used car five years from now.
All cars depreciate but some do so faster than the others. The slower a car depreciates, the higher its resale value. Depreciation is, in essence, the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of ownership. So it is important to choose a vehicle that retains its value even while piling up the mileage.
The best place to start in learning about resale value is the Kelly Blue Book. It is perhaps one of the most trusted resources in the U.S. when it comes to resale value. Since 1926, buyers and sellers have turned to Kelley Blue Book for new and used vehicle information. Car buyers and manufacturers alike look forward to the winners of its annual resale awards and its website, www.kbb.com, is one of the most visited automotive websites in the world.
The Kelly Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards is an annual recognition given to automakers with vehicles that best retain their resale value. Honda took home the coveted title of “2009 Best Brand” - an honor given to automakers with the best-projected resale value across its entire line of vehicles. The award is an affirmation of Honda’s reputation for delivering well-built, reliable, and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Throughout its history, Honda’s fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient vehicles are very much in demand in the market and car buyers simply can’t get their hands off these innovative, safe, and environment-friendly vehicles. While other cars can lose as much as 60% of its original value in just four years, some Honda models can retain as much as 52% of their original value even after five years.
There are a lot of factors that could explain why car buyers are willing to shell out more cash for a Honda in the used car market. Foremost among these is Honda’s legendary reliability and easy maintenance. Buyers are confident that they can count on a Honda to deliver great performance even if it has racked up some miles. This just goes to show that quality can indeed go a long, long way.
The high resale value of a Honda car also ensures that owners are getting value for their money. This translates to customer satisfaction from the time you buy your Honda up to the time you sell it. Think about it, if you can use a car for five years and yet still manage to squeeze out half of what you paid for after selling it, then that’s probably the closest thing you can get to a free car.
Honda’s high resale value is attests to its quality and prestige. It shows, more than anything else, how Honda has captured the hearts of the car-buying market. It is a testament that great works never go out of style and out of the market’s wish lists.
A new car’s babe-magnet looks and lightning speed can make any car buyer fall at first sight, but knowing its resale value can save you cash in the long run. So the next time you buy a new car, don’t just ask how much it costs. Ask instead what it’s worth five years from now.
Go ahead and make that smart purchase. Visit you nearest Honda dealer and test drive a Honda car now. For more information about Honda products, log on to www.hondaphil.com.
|
LEXUS took the prime awards in all four categories it was nominated in during the recently concluded C! Awards.
The 5th Annual C! Awards was held on July 15, 2009 amidst glitz and glamour. It was a well-attended event marked by high expectations of car manufacturers to grab the prestigious awards at stake. Members of the motoring media were present and shared the excitement of the night in anticipation of the announcement of the Best Automobiles for 2009.
LEXUS, despite being the newest entry into the motoring industry, won the highest awards in the four categories where it was nominated in. The LEXUS IS300 was named winner in the Best in Premium Sedan category while the GS460 model was recognized as the best in the Premium Executive Sedan category. The LX 570 model, was best in class in the Premium SUV category. The LEXUS flagship model, the ultra-luxurious LS460L was awarded as the Best Premium Luxury Sedan, further reiterating the recognition given to it by international journalists as the 2007 World Car of the Year.
In the same Awards Night, C! Magazine named DANIEL ISLA, President of Lexus Manila as the recipient of the first Pocholo Ramirez Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the growth of the automotive industry.
|
Since the launch of the of the Volvo XC60 in May, sales numbers have been rising for Volvo Philippines as the world’s first car that can stop itself chalks up an unprecedented 60 units since its introduction in the country. “We are very pleased with the encouraging response that the market has for the Volvo XC60. We have noticed a marked increase in showroom traffic and the XC60 immediately accounted for 48 percent of our sales in June,” said Loi Concepcion-de Guzman, Senior Manager for Marketing Communications.
The Volvo XC60 is Volvo’s first Compact Utility Vehicle that locally offers two variants: the 2.4L Turbodiesel and the 3.0L Petrol T6. It also introduces another safety invention from Volvo, City Safety, a collision avoidance technology that allows the car to automatically brake when it detects an impending crash and help avoid or mitigate a collision. Revolutionary styling, world-class safety features, dynamic performance and outstanding comfort combine to make the XC60 an excellent value. It is designed to captivate a new generation of Volvo buyers as well as attracting those who are loyal to the brand. “We owe it to our clients who appreciate the distinctiveness of the XC60 especially with the world first City Safety. The uniqueness of the car’s premium features sync well with their particular tastes and lifestyles. We are happy that they have made the intelligent choice with the XC60.”
Volvo's engineering expertise endows the XC60 with a powerplant that provides the best of all worlds - strong performance, reduced emissions and efficient fuel economy. A 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine produces 285 horsepower and 400Nm of torque. While the high performance, 185 bhp D5 has a truly sporty nature that assures quick and comfortable response, exceptional fuel economy and cleaner exhausts.
Aside from the being safest, the XC60 is possibly the most beautiful Volvo to date. Born with Volvo’s new DNA or Dramatic New Approach, this ideal urban tourer flaunts a new, larger Ironmark on the grille, front and rear LED position lights, a two-piece panoramic roof*, broad shoulders and the widest rear opening width in its class.
Fusing modern Scandinavian design with the trademark safety and quality that Volvo is known for, the XC60 is an intuitive, protective, and definitely eye-catching piece of engineering.
This new breed of SUV brought with it a resounding acceptance from the market, keeping Volvo Philippines inspired and motivated to continue rendering premium customer service to its loyal customers.
|
