Named "Most Dependable" By ICOTY Jury
Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) was awarded the 2011 International Sedan of the Year at the New York International Auto Show by the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury on April 21. The all-new sports sedan was deemed best-in-class for the most superlative connection with consumer lifestyles. The selection was made by a jury of 12 nationally recognized automotive journalists.
"To receive the International Sedan of the Year award and be named 'Most Dependable' demonstrate first-hand that the Volvo S60 connects with consumers' lifestyles on both an emotional and rational level," said Doug Speck, president and CEO of VCNA, who accepted the award. "From our advanced technology safety features and masterful Scandinavian design, to its best-in-class fuel economy and award-winning engine, the S60 delivers something for everyone. It is without a doubt a game changer for us."
In its 15th year, the ICOTY Awards remain a respected industry honor, measuring what no other automotive award does, the emotional connection between car and consumer.
"The ICOTY Awards are not based on camshafts and chrome but rather lifestyle compatibility and how well automakers achieve that goal," said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY executive producer.
The All-New Volvo S60 also won the Best in Safety award in the Philippine's Car of the Year awards for its world-first preventive safety technology, Collision Warning with Full Auto Break and Pedestrian Detection. City Safety, the world's first laser-based collision avoidance technology that at speeds of up to 30km/h, can automatically brake to help mitigate a collision. The All-New Volvo S60 is now locally available in three variants: a fuel-efficient 1.6L T4, a 2.0L Powershift and a 304bhp 3.0L T6.
Some descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Cars' international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification.
In Manila, Viking Cars, Incorporated is the official distributor of Volvo cars. The Volvo Makati office, showroom and Customer Service Center are located at 2272 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. Volvo Cebu is located at A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad, Mandaue City. The 2011 Volvo automobile line includes the nimble C30 Sports Coupé, the versatile All-New C70 Coupé-Convertible, the compact All-New S40 and V50 Sportswagon, the flagship All-New S80 luxury sedan, the ruggedly refined All-New XC70 Cross Country, the groundbreaking Volvo XC60 with City Safety as standard and the award-winning XC90 AWD. Now available in the Philippines is the All New Volvo S60 with world first Pedestrian Detection technology with Full Auto Brake system and the All-New Volvo V60 Sportswagon. For details and inquiries, please call 893-6621 to 22 or 637-0414 to 15.
For more information, please contact, Loi Concepcion-de Guzman, Marketing Services Assistant Vice President:
893-6621 local 429; loi@volvophils.com
CATCH MORE VOLVO ACTION AT http://www.facebook.com/volvophilippines
|
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) was recently presented with an Outstanding Community Projects Award during the 2011 PEZA Investors’ Awards Night held at the World Trade Center.
His Excellency, President Benigno Aquino III, with DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo and PEZA Director General Laila de Lima, awarded the plaque to HCPI in recognition of its significant relationship with the community through scholarship programs, free medical and dental services, tree planting, gift giving or similar pro-community projects. Selection criteria included the company’s involvement in community activities for a period of three years, significant number of recipients and substantial effect to the community.
Dedicated to be a company that society wants to exist, HCPI looks after the welfare of its nearby community. HCPI, in coordination with the Department of Health and Philippine National Red Cross, regularly conducts blood letting program for patients in need of immediate blood transfusion.
HCPI has also been involved in several tree planting activities in varied areas including Laguna, Batangas and Quezon City as part of its fervent commitment to leave blue skies for the next generation. Just last year, in celebration of its 20thanniversary, HCPI supported Haribon Foundation’s Road to 2020 project by adopting 20 hectares of denuded land in Cavinti Watershed. Road to 2020 aims to restore one million hectare of rainforest by year 2020.
During Holy Week, HCPI provides on-site roadside assistance to motorists encountering problems during their long distance travel through its Honda Emergency Assistance Team (HEAT) program. For 18 years now, HCPI has been providing free services like diagnostic system check-up and 18-point check-up, to both Honda and non-Honda vehicles, as part of its public service and road safety advocacy.
Before opening of classes, HCPI provides assistance to nearby schools through its Brigada Eskwela project. HCPI offers logistical and manpower support to clean and prepare classrooms for the incoming students. It includes donation of paint, cleaning materials and repair of school tables and chairs.
Meanwhile, Honda also reaches out to elders and street children. Every year, Honda donates to Bahay ni Maria, a home for abandoned elders and street children in Calamba, Laguna which is being run by missionary nuns.
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., in partnership with local government units and non-government organizations, will continue giving back to the community in appreciation of the market’s passionate support to the brand, its products and services.
|
2:35 PM by
kankan
, under
ford
Steve Rouhana points out one of the intricacies of Ford's adult digital human model to researcher Jesse Ruan. Rouhana is the Senior Technical Leader for Safety, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.
DEARBORN, Mich., April 18, 2011 - Ford is beginning research into one of the world’s first digital human child body models that could someday serve as a digital dummy for computer crash testing with a goal of enhancing research of future safety technologies.
“We study injury trends in the field, and we know that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people from age 1 to 34,” said Dr. Steve Rouhana, Senior Technical Leader for Safety, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “We want to better understand how injuries to younger occupants may be different.”
The work is the next step in Ford’s decade-long research to build a sophisticated and detailed computer adult human model, with body parts and organs painstakingly replicated so scientists could better understand what happens to the adult body in a crash.
“Our restraint systems are developed to help reduce serious injuries and fatalities in the field, and they have proven to be very effective,” Rouhana said. “But crash injuries still occur. The more you know about the human body, the more we can consider how to make our restraint systems even better.
“A child’s body is very different from an adult’s. Building a digital human model of a child will help us design future systems that offer better protection for our young passengers.”
Working in the digital world
Building a digital model is no simple task. The work on Ford’s adult human body model that started back in 1993 was not completed until 2004 and only then after extensive validations. Digital models are used in research, not in vehicle development. They don’t take the place of crash dummies, which measure the effect of forces on the body. Instead, they are used as
a way to understand how to further improve restraint system effectiveness through better understanding of injury mechanisms.
The digital model is constructed component by component – brain, skull, neck, ribcage, upper and lower extremities, etc. – with extensive research included on each part.
“Building the model of a person is just like building a model of a car,” said Rouhana. “You start with your surface geometry for each component and any subcomponent it contains – in this case the geometry of the human body and its internal organs.”
After gathering such data through medical scans as well as anatomical texts, the researchers build a model section by section, creating regions of the body. The brain in Ford’s adult human digital model was constructed as a separate component, detailed down to the stem, the gray matter and the fluid between the layers, said Dr. Jesse Ruan, a researcher in biomechanics at Ford.
The components are then joined into a virtual human body, which is extensively validated. Then, using mathematical and analytical tools combined with available body data, researchers are able to determine the effects of a crash – and the pressure of a restraint system – on the body.
Child data, however, are not as extensively available. Ford researchers, leveraging their global contacts, contracted into a one-year agreement with Tianjin University of Science and Technology, which is working with Tianjin Children’s Hospital, to obtain child geometry and basic body information from sources like MRIs and CAT scans provided by volunteers. Tianjin is one of the largest cities in China, close to the capital of Beijing. All other information for the project will be obtained from public domain literature.
“This is just the beginning,” said Ruan. “We’re taking the first step toward building a future child digital human body model.”
|
This year's STCC, now fully transformed to Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, will premiere on Jyllandsringen in Denmark on Saturday April 23, 2011. At Volvo Polestar Racing, preparations are running high.
Quicker C30 DRIVe racer
Last year, Volvo Polestar Racing won both the Scandinavian Cup for drivers and the team championship, and finished second in the driver championship. This year, the team is even more determined to win both championships.
“We have won four out of five possible titles the last two seasons so we are precisely 80 percent satisfied. During the winter, we have virtually designed a completely new chassis and we have two multiple champions behind the wheel. There will be no excuses this year” says Christian Dahl, Team Manager for Volvo Polestar Racing.
Highly motivated drivers
The new driver for the season is James Thompson, two-time champion in the British Touring Car Championship (2002 and 2004) and in the European Touring Car Championship (2009 and 2010). Thompson is already well at home with his new team.
"I have competed as a works driver in the BTCC, ETCC and the WTCC for several manufacturers and top teams, and I am impressed with Volvo Polestar Racing. There is a lot of confidence and know-how in the team. I am really looking forward to the season now" says James Thompson.
James Thompson is perhaps new to Volvo Polestar Racing but he is well known to his team mate Tommy Rustad, 2009 STCC Champion with Volvo.
"I raced James Thompson in the BTCC so I know his capacity. The team has signed a top-rank driver. I feel very good about this. Volvo Polestar Racing is the only team in STCC that continuously has both the technology, policy and the driver capacity that enables both drivers to win all races and all championships. This is really good for the confidence for us drivers and it is also our major strength as a team" says Tommy Rustad.
From race cars to customer value
At Volvo, the new season is highly anticipated, and there is also a large amount of satisfaction over the cooperation with Polestar. At the same time as the STCC season premiere is approaching, Polestar is already off evaluating WTCC for Volvo, and there is a substantial effort at work to launch Polestar Performance engine optimizations to new markets.
"We have not only managed to develop very successful race cars together with Polestar but also managed to develop motorsport into a business. Today we can not only offer Volvo enthusiasts pride and joy with our race cars but also something very tangible and special for their own cars," says Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director at Volvo Cars.
|
Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) in cooperation with its dealers, partners, and suppliers is proud to announce the 2011 Toyota Motorist Assistance Campaign for the motoring public this Holy Week.
The project, now on its 20th year, is an annual, non-profit, civic oriented service activity that aims to extend customer service to all motorists during the holidays by providing: (1) Free Pre-Holy Week Safety Inspection and (2) Free Roadside Assistance and Emergency Repairs.
Keep your car roadworthy and prevent hassles during your trip through the Free Pre-Holy Week Inspection offered by all Toyota dealers nationwide from March 21 to April 19.
Have your car enjoy the perks of the free 20-Point check up, which include inspection of the wiper blades, lights operation, air-conditioner cooling performance, fuel level indicator, fluid and hose condition, check of your: engine, transmission, brakes, engine cooling system, and power steering. We will also check your spark plugs, exhaust system, shock absorber, drive shaft boot, brake system: parking brake travel, pad and shoe thickness, and the condition and pressure of your tires.
Look forward to a friendly face at every stop as Toyota ensures free Roadside Assistance and repairs to all vehicles with emergency concerns for all models and makes.
Toyota Motorists Assistance teams are located at strategic points from North to South of Luzon. On-Site and Roving Assistance Teams are ready to assist you in the ff areas in Caltex Stations:
1.) Upper Session Road, Baguio
2.) Rosario, La Union
3.) Urdaneta, Pangasinan
4.) Tagaytay City
5.) Turbina (along Pan-Philippine Highway), Calamba, Laguna
6.) Halang, (along National Highway) Calamba, Laguna
7.) Calauag, Quezon
Emergency Road Side assistance include diagnosis and actual emergency repairs, such as: engine overheating, underchassis, electrical, aircon, steering, brakes, and wheel problems doable within the scope of the campaign. Expect Toyota Quality Service and Toyota Genuine Parts, as well as trained and experienced Toyota Technicians and Service Advisors, to give your car the treatment it deserves.
Toyota Roadside assistance will be available on Maundy Thursday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday from 8AM to 5PM, and on Good Friday from 8AM to 12NN.
The Toyota Motorists Assistance Campaign is an initiative of TMPC, in collaboration with Caltex Philippines, Inc.; Philippine Auto Components (Denso), Inc.; Du Pont Far East, Inc.; Emicor, Inc.; 3M Philippines, Inc.; Fujitsu Ten Corporation of the Philippines; Paint Marketing Co. Phils., Inc; Motolite; Metrobank Card Corporation; and Federal Chemicals (Akzonobel), Inc.
For more inquiries, feel free to contact: Customer Assistance Center Hotline (CAC): 819-2912 or visit our website: www.toyota.com.ph.
|
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), together with its dealership network, gears up for the anticipated influx of motorists this coming Holy Week. HCPI offers on-site road assistance through its Honda Emergency Assistance team (H.E.A.T.) program as part of its public service and road safety advocacy.
Now on its 18th year, H.E.A.T. is composed of an emergency action team who provides road assistance to motorists facing problems during their long travel in observance of the Holy Week.
“H.E.A.T. program runs on April 20, 21, 23 and 24 in service of both private and public vehicle owners, be it Honda or non-Honda customers. Apart from road assistance, H.E.A.T. also provides free diagnostic system check-up, free 18-point check-up and discounts on selected parts and accessories,” said HCPI’s Customer Service Head, Mr. Danny Pedro. ‘With H.E.A.T., we set our sights on providing accessible public service for a worry-free and safe trip for the motorists,” he added.
The Team will be stationed in 12 sites all over Luzon. These sites include Baguio, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo, Pangasinan, and Tarlac in the North and Central Luzon and Batangas, Bicol, Cavite and Rizal in South Luzon. Meanwhile, participating dealers include Honda Cars Nueva Ecija, Honda Cars Tarlac, Honda Cars Bulacan. Roving teams are also at hand to check road conditions and inform the nearest H.E.A.T. sites for updates and emergencies. Roving teams can be contacted through the following numbers: North: 0917-862-3986 and 0921-477-9604 and South: 0917-584-8742 or 0915-297-8551. H.E.A.T. is made possible with the support of 3M, Emicor, Denso, Kenwood and SAVI.
For more details, please log on to www.hondaphil.com. You may also follow HCPI at Facebook and be one of the 23,000 fans.
|
Toyota’s flagship minivan, the Alphard 3.5L V6, took center stage at the recently concluded 2010-2011 Car of the Year Awards (COTY) after being deemed as the best Premium Van and MPV of the Year. Named after a star in the constellation Hydra, the Alphard was at its brightest at the recently concluded Manila International Motor Show (MIAS) from April 7-10 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.
Since its introduction in August, the Alphard has gained recognition in the Premium Minivan segment with year-to-date sales of 212 units. Following the theme “majestic flagship”, its exterior fascia presents a luxurious and high-class design that is a fitting complement to its spacious and state-of-the-art cabin interior. Under the hood, the Alphard boasts of a powerful 3.5L gas, 24-valve DOHC Dual VVT-I engine and 6-speed automatic transmission that churns out a maximum output of 275Ps at 6,200 rpm and 340Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm.
The Alphard comfortably sits 7 people with power ottomans for the front passenger and second-row seats, which aim to provide unparalleled luxury and hospitality to the passenger and driver alike. It also features a sophisticated audio system with NXT ceiling actuators Navigation system, MP3, Bluetooth and AUX/USB connectivity.
In a statement, TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations, Raymond Rodriguez said, “We are pleased that the Alphard topped the 2010-2011 COTY awards in Premium Van and MPV segment. At the same time, we would also like to congratulate the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) as well as the organizers of the Manila International Motor Show for its continued efforts in promoting the local automotive industry.”
In addition, Toyota Motor Philippines took home the Best Value Award for its Corolla Altis 1.6 G A/T. Launched last September, the refreshed Corolla Altis line-up now boasts of a Dual VVT-i engine for an optimal balance of power and fuel efficiency.
The Prius bagged the Green Car Award for being the most environmentally friendly vehicle on the road. The country’s first commercially available hybrid vehicle was praised for its efforts to reduce harmful emissions while continuing to advocate the future of our environment.
|
The summer season is here to stay as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) continues to turn up the heat with truly amazing summer deals.
TMP celebrates summer by offering Toyota’s “Incredibly Amazing Summer Savings!” From April 3-30, 2011, enjoy more sizzling “Amazing Summer Savings” deals and more. Drive away to your favorite summer destination with a brand new Vios, Innova or Fortuner. Choose any of the 5 incredibly amazing packages, the PAY LOW, PAY LIGHT, PAY CASH, PAY EASY, and PAY LATER schemes.
PAY LOW offers monthly down payment rates for as low as P65,000 for Vios, P79,300 for Innova and P134,900 for Fortuner.
PAY LIGHT offers customers light monthly plans for as low as P6,500 for Vios, P7,700 for Innova and P13,500 for Fortuner. This allows you up to 72 months installment with 50% down payment and 0% interest rate.
PAY CASH and save up to P40,000 for the Innova and Vios. In addition to this, get up to P80,000 worth of discount for the Fortuner.
Enjoy the ease of low down payment matched with the comfort of light monthly amortization with the PAY EASY promo package. Drive home your brand new Vios for as low as P99,000 deposit and P10,730 monthly payment for 60 months, with lump sum payment of P109,600 at the end of the term. PAY EASY is also available for the Innova and Fortuner.
Toyota’s Incredibly Amazing Summer Savings offers the PAY LATER scheme which allows you to enjoy a brand new Vios, Innova or Fortuner with your 1st monthly installment 90 days after your down payment.
Current Toyota owners can also avail of Loyalty discounts of up to P20,000.
That’s not all! From April 4-16, 2011 place a reservation of P20,000 to get a chance to win an additional discount of up to P100, 000! Promo is available when you reserve the following models: Vios (except J), Altis, Innova. Fortuner and Avanza (1.5M/T and 1.3 J 5-seater)
Visit your nearest Toyota dealer and avail of these “Incredibly amazing summer savings!”
|
In time for your great summer outing, Ford offers 10 resolutions for you to start your vacation right – safe and in control in the driver’s seat. With Ford’s full vehicle line-up packed with safety features and smart technology, these handy “know-hows” will surely make your trip more enjoyable this summer.
1. Click it – even when you’re not worried about a ticket. Always buckle that safety seatbelt – no exceptions. In 2009 alone, 64,747 reports were related to car accidents, according to the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS). Those statistics make the extra two seconds to click on the belt when you travel even more worthwhile – and to make sure your passengers do too.
2. Keep your eyes on the road ― not on your cell phone. Avoid unnecessary distractions. According to a 100-car study conducted by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver inattention that may involve looking away from the road for more than a few seconds is a factor in nearly 80 percent of accidents. That means no texting – no message is that important! Some of Ford’s latest vehicles, such as the all-new Ford Fiesta Sport Hatchback and the Ford Expedition are equipped with connectivity and entertainment technology such as Bluetooth Voice Control and Ford SYNC, allowing you to take voice calls or change radio stations while making sure that your full concentration is still on the road.
3. Read a good book – like your owners’ manual. Yes, the one that’s been languishing in your glove compartment. Reading through it gives you valuable safety information and could even save you money. For instance, Ford owners might be surprised to learn that they don’t need oil changes every 5,000 kilometers like they used to. Many new Ford models allow 10,000 kilometers between oil changes.
4. Be in a condition to drive — or don’t drive at all. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), most accidents in Metro Manila occur between 9:00 pm to 3:00 am. This is due to fatigue, intoxication, high speed and disregard for traffic lights. If you know that you are not in the proper condition to drive a vehicle after a fun night out with your friends or if you are tired from a long day in the office, have a dependable driver or friend to drop you off instead.
5. Find out how technology is working to keep you safer. Today’s vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that keeps you safe – but drivers need to understand these features. With ABS technology, pumping the brakes turns the anti-lock brake system on and off, which decreases braking efficiency and increases your stopping distance. ABS pumps the brakes automatically at a much faster rate than you could manually and allows better steering control.
6. Learn to parallel park. Many of us dread the experience of learning to parallel park. Even after years of driving, some still hesitate, faced with the prospect of blocking traffic while steering into a street-side space. Ford collaborated with the MIT New England University Transportation Center on a nine-month research project that evaluated stressful driving activities – and parallel parking ranked highest. So let this year be the year you master the art of parallel parking – or let technology help. Ford is equipping more vehicles with Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) that uses an electric motor to provide steering assistance. This technology not only helps you steer your vehicle easier while on the road, it also helps you position the vehicle for parallel parking, eliminating much of the stress. And MIT researchers say reducing stress make us better drivers.
7. Listen to your mother – sit up straight. Make sure your car seat and headrest are adjusted correctly to give you optimum support. Your legs shouldn’t be overstretched to reach the pedals; you should be able to glance up and out at your mirrors with ease.
8. Check your pressure on all four tires – and the spare. Don’t confuse the “maximum tire pressure” written on the sidewall of the tire with the “recommended tire pressure” provided by the manufacturer – that’s found in that handy owner’s manual you’ve resolved to read and on a sticker conveniently located on the driver’s side door jamb. Also, show your spare you care by storing it in the trunk, where it will return the favor by getting you out of a jam should one of your tires spring a leak.
9. Take a cue from the Boy Scouts ― Be Prepared. Weather conditions in the Philippines have been quite unpredictable, so make sure you’re carrying the essentials in case you get stuck or stranded. We recommend your list include water, blankets, granola bars, a few road flares, a good flashlight (and extra batteries) and jumper cables.
10. 4, 3, 2 … If you’re counting down to the start of summer break – stop right here. Remember the two-second rule. The vehicle in front of you should be passing a road marker two seconds before you to assure you’re not tailgating. Some drivers’ manuals even recommend a three-second rule. Remember, your summer’s goal is to get acquainted with
YOUR car, not the one in front of you!
|
