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BusinessAutoblogJim Farley to replace Jim Hackett as CEO of Ford
Jim Farley will take over as CEO of Ford on October 1, replacing Jim Hackett, who will retire from the company but continue to serve as a "special advisor." Farley joined Ford way back in 2007 as global head of Marketing and Sales, and went on to serve in a variety of high-profile roles with the automaker. Hackett came to Ford in 2017 after retiring from furniture company Steelcase in 2014 after serving as its CEO for 20 years.
TechnologyAutoblog2021 Ford Ranger Review | Rarely at the top but always well-rounded
In the growing midsize truck segment, it's hard to find places where the 2021 Ford Ranger is the best at any particular thing. It's not as versatile as the Toyota Tacoma, nor as likely to hold its value as tenaciously.
BusinessAutoblogVW keeping an eye on electric pickups, but the Scirocco remains dust in the wind
After taking reservations for months, Volkswagen began selling the electric ID.3 to the general public on July 20. Autoblog learned the flexible MEB platform gives Volkswagen a tremendous amount of freedom to release mainstream and niche models, but it doesn't exempt it from the need to put together a business case. Volkswagen hasn't publicly said much about what will sooner or later slot beneath the ID.3.
BusinessCarmudiTMP celebrates 32nd year with optimism despite present COVID-19 threats
The leadership of the local arm of Japanese carmaker Toyota expressed optimism despite the threats brought by the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic to the Philippines.As Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) celebrates its 32 years of operations in the country, Chairman Alfred Ty expressed confidence that they will all soon enjoy better days. “In our over 30-year history, we have faced many challenges but this is by far the most challenging we have seen. Of one thing I am sure: this will be our finest moment. We will draw on our collective strength to support government in its recovery efforts and we will assure our customers and each one in our Toyota family that we will stand by each other every step of the way,” Ty, in a message to all team members, said.Back in the earlier years, TMP team members would normally begin the day with a general assembly. This time around, with TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto at the helm, regular calls for a virtual gathering are in line with “new normal” considerations.Okamoto, for his part, echoed the chairman’s sentiments, pointing out that New Zealand and Thailand had already made successful efforts to contain the virus.“Other countries have shown that this virus can be controlled. We will get there, too, if we continue our adherence to the necessary health protocols. We will win this battle,” he said. “I would like to thank the government and all our front line workers for their selfless efforts in this time of crisis. Let us work together and heal as one.”Last year, TMP enjoyed its 18th consecutive triple crown—continuously proving that it is the most preferred automotive brand of Filipinos.Since it started 1988 until June, 2020, TMP has already sold 1.78 million vehicles. Beginning with three models in its line-up, TMP has grown into a selection of 78 models and variants, like the Vios, Innova, Hilux, Fortuner, Wigo, Rush, Avanza and Hiace.The Japanese manufacturer has also brought hybrid electric vehicles and a whole range of luxury products under its Lexus brand.Further, the brand has also become a steady partner in the country’s growing economy for over three decades. By the end of 2019, TMP generated jobs for around 55,000 Filipinos and has made cumulative investments of P64 billion, along with paying P384 billion in cumulative taxes and duties.Now with a 71-dealer strong network, TMP is coming up with innovative ways to become the leader in mobility solutions. This year, it has opened its Kinto package (vehicle leasing program).Aside from that, the company also ramped up efforts in digitalization with the virtual Toyota showroom, the new MyToyotaPH app and the new Supra GT Cup e-motorsports race.“This crisis is surely a very challenging experience for everyone. But as market leader, it is our responsibility to elevate customer service even in these most difficult times. We will redouble our efforts in helping to bring the Philippine economy back on track to a better tomorrow. Indeed, we are stronger together,” Ty concluded.Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines, Hiro Okamoto's Facebook PageAlso read:TMP offers Balloon Payment Plus Plan for Vios2021 Vios Racing Festival will let racers use 2019 modelToyota PH provides free P2P booking service
NewsCarmudiCustoms operatives seize smuggled McLaren 620R
The Bureau of Customs recently seized a McLaren 620R super car at the Port of Manila.Through Intelligence Group's Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (IG-CIIS), bureau operatives on Monday apprehended the shipment of the said supercar.According to the bureau, the shipment arrived July 16 and was declared as a brand-new Porsche Cayman. Trying to evade the said due taxes and duties, the cargo, though similar in car type, contained the McLaren with a reported worth P33 million and corresponding duties and taxes worth more than P16.7 millionUpon the recommendation of the IG-CIIS, Port of Manila District Collector Michael Angelo Vargas issued a warrant of seizure and detention on the shipment.The consignee Llorin Trading allegedly declared duties and taxes worth only P1.5 million, which short of around P15 million worth of revenues.Both the consignee and broker are facing possible charges for violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 1113 of RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).This British road-legal supercar—revealed December last year— has a 3.8 liter twin turbo V8 engine that can churn 612 horsepower and a pulling power of 620 Nm.Back in January 2019, a Bentley Continental GT with an estimated value of P12 million was seized in Manila International Container Port in Tondo, Manila.Photos from Bureau of Customs Facebook page, McLarenAlso read:Bureau of Customs Destroys Over a Hundred Illegally Imported MotorcyclesCustoms Chief: Confiscated Supercars Still Under Litigation4 Luxury Cars from Japan Smuggled into Cebu
BusinessCarmudiGrab to suspend transport ops, continue other services in MECQ
Mobile transport app Grab has suspended its GrabCar operations beginning today, following the imposition of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, as announced by President Rodrigo Duterte last Sunday.However, Grab vowed to support their communities including their driver-partners, merchants, frontliners and the public through various means.According to Grab, the company will provide free tests in partnership with the National Task Force Against COVID and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), to make sure that drivers and delivery partners are safe along with the communities that they belong to.Aside from that, Grab will still utilize its driver partners by putting them to delivery fleet services to provide livelihood security.Further, Grab is eyeing to venture into providing mobility solutions to hospital partners as a dedicated shuttle fleet for their medical frontliners as well as to corporate and merchant partners so that the they could all provide essential services for the two-week MECQ.They are also tapping institutional partners to extend payment holidays to their driver-partners with existing loans.To help those who are staying at home, Grabfood will continue to give discounts and free delivery during MECQ, with a minimum purchase of P550.Those who need to shop for essential needs may continue to do so, as GrabExpress will be operational round-the-clock, while GrabFood and GrabMart will be operational from 6 AM - 12 MN depending on merchant-partner availability.Cashless payments are still available via GrabPay.Back in late May, Grab said that it will deploy 20,000 GrabCar drivers to serve the commuting public while readying for the government’s plan to ease lockdown to general community quarantine (GCQ) in June. Grab Head of Transport and Shared Services Ronald Roda said that the initial number of GrabCar drivers have undergone training to adhere to their latest campaign, GrabProtect.Photo/s from Grab Also read:Grab lays off 360 employees as COVID-19 pandemic surges onCu steps down as Grab PH presidentGrab PH launches GrabBayanihan Car specialized fleet for frontliners
BusinessCarmudiBMW X6 M, X7 win big at 2020 WardsAuto 10 Best Awards
BMW is well-represented at this year’s set of 10 Best Awards from WardsAuto. After being named among the 10 Best Interiors for 2020 with the X6 M midsize luxury crossover earlier in July, the reliable German carmaker recently nabbed another trophy from the popular American automotive publication, this time in the 10 Best UX (User Experience) category for the X7 full-size luxury SUV.Debuting in 2019, the 7-seater 7th-gen BMW X7 boasts an elaborate interior furnished with “the very best technology that BMW has to offer,” according to the brand. Highlights include BMW’s iDrive and the new Live Cockpit Professional systems, functioning in tandem to offer occupants numerous ways to harness their ‘Ultimate Driving Machine.’Other impressive cabin appointments include two 12.3-inch fully digital displays and a large colorful head-up display, both providing information naturally and intuitively. There’s also the signature central touchscreen that allows multiple methods of control, including touch, hand gestures, the familiar iDrive rotary controller, and voice control thru the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, further adding effortlessness to interacting with the BMW X7’s high-tech systems.“We are grateful to the WardsAuto jurors for their continued vehicle testing in these unprecedented times to bring important information to the new car shoppers.” said Ralph Mahler, Head of BMW Product Planning and Strategy, in a statement.BMW’s earlier WardsAuto winner, the BMW X6 M performance variant, part of the X6 family, is widely considered a pioneer in the Sports Activity Coupe segment. Twelve years after its introduction, the X6 is now on its third generation, continuing to win over fans all over the world.“Customers are drawn to the X6 M’s muscular and outgoing personality.” Mahler said. “We are especially proud of the global success story that this vehicle, designed for and built in the U.S. market, has become.”“The designers, engineers and product planners have all worked very hard to deliver on the customers’ expectations of their X6 M providing the absolute best combination of luxury and sport. We thank the WardsAuto editors for this important recognition and are happy to accept it on everyone’s behalf,” he added.Both the BMW X6 and X7 are available locally, with the former starting at PHP9.19 million, and the latter at PHP9.29 million.Photo/s from BMW Also read:BMW updates 5-Series, adds electrified powertrain optionsBMW breaks cover on 2021 X5 xDrive45e PHEV
NewsCarmudiRoque: Backriding allowed for APORs
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that backriding will no longer be exclusive to couples during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) that was recently imposed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.During a virtual presser, Roque said that unlike the previous order, Authorized Person/s Outside of Residence (APORs) are now authorized to ride pillion and that the trip needs to be work-related.“Isa pong update, bagamat bawal pa rin po ang backriding, mayroon po tayong isang exception. Kapag ang pasahero po ay APOR or Authorized Person Outside of Residence at ang biyahe ay work-related, pwede pong mag-angkas,” Roque said.“Pero ulitin ko lang po, ang backride ay para lamang sa APORs na papunta lamang sa biyahe na work-related at hindi naman po ni-require na mag-asawa, kapag APOR ang sakay. Kahit na ang driver ay hindi related sa pasahero, basta APOR ang sakay, pwede,” he said, citing the meeting held Monday of the National Task Force on COVID-19.The chief executive’s spokesperson added that the motorcycles that will be used for backriding should be privately owned and not motorcycle taxi or motorcycle for hire. Meanwhile, he also reiterated that apart from shuttle services and P2P travel services for health workers, there will be no public transportation that will be allowed during this period.“Uulitin natin, wala pa rin pong public transportation sa MECQ. Ang tanging pinapayagang bumiyahe sa pampublikong transportasyon ay ang shuttle services, P2P travel services na ‘yung given priority ay mga healthworkers natin,” Roque said.He advised companies that are allowed to operate to hire or lease jeepneys, buses and UV Express that cannot ferry passengers during this period to be utilized as shuttle services.“Muli, hinihikayat namin ang mga kumpanya na mag-hire o mag-lease ng mga pampublikong sasakyan gaya ng mga jeepney, buses at UV Express na hindi makakabiyahe ngayong MECQ. Bilang mga shuttle service, bibigyan sila ng prayoridad ng LTFRB,” Roque urged.Further, he said that no special permit shall be required for those public utility vehicles that will be used as shuttle service.“Kailangan lang po ay magpakita ang driver ng certificate/authorization letter o letter of intent mula sa kumpanya na may nakasaaad na partikular na ruta bilang patunay na ang pampublikong sasakyan ay ginagamit na shuttle service,” he explained.Meanwhile, personal vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles and e-scooters are allowed during the MECQ, Roque added.Earlier, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año announced that pillion riding or backriding will be allowed but will only be for couples and live-in partners.Photo/s from Ruben D. Manahan IV, Harry Roque Facebook Page Also read:Luzon Now under ‘Enhanced Community Quarantine’Metro Manila now on GCQMalacañang announces quarantine protocols; still no mass transport
BusinessCarmudiParking at the Nissan Pavilion is paid for with electricity
At the Nissan Pavilion exhibition space in Yokohama, electric vehicle (EV) owners are given the ability pay for parking with electricity.The payment method, a global first, allows EV owners to discharge power from their car’s battery pack and use it to pay for parking.Nissan doesn’t provide any details on how the system works, or how much Watts must be discharged to pay for an hour of parking. But the site is a showcase of sorts of Nissan’s innovative technologies, so the parking payment method is likely intended to be a promotional gimmick more than anything else.“The Pavilion is a place where customers can see, feel, and be inspired by our near-future vision for society and mobility,” CEO Makoto Uchida describes Nissan’s new Japanese facility, which opened to the public on August 1. “As the world shifts to electric mobility, EVs will be integrated into society in ways that go beyond just transportation.”Aside from the nifty parking payment method, the 10,000-square-meter event space also boasts a number of environmental-friendly features, including solar panels and a renewable hydroelectric power source.Visitors craving for a snack can grab a bite to eat at the Nissan Chaya Cafe, which runs on power supplied by Nissan LEAF electric cars and solar energy.Other attractions include Formula E electric street racing, free rides in the all-new Nissan Ariya EV crossover, a virtual tennis match with Grand Slam champion and Nissan brand ambassador Naomi Osaka in the Pavilion theater, and a demo for Nissan’s Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) technology, a driver assistance system currently in development designed to “make driving more convenient, comfortable and exciting when it’s installed in cars in the near future.”Right at the Pavilion’s entrance lies the Mobility Hub, which offers an array of services including EV car-sharing and rental bicycles. Offered in partnership between Nissan and the local community, the Mobility Hub aims to provide services that further progress the public’s freedom of mobility.The Nissan Pavilion will be open for a limited time only, from August 1 through October 23. If you’re ever in Japan during these dates, the company’s global headquarters in Yokohama, where the exhibition space is erected.Earlier, the Japanese carmaker announced that it was cancelling the 2020 Nissan Nismo Festival as a way to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease currently gripping the globe.The Nissan Leaf is expected to launch in the Philippines in September of this year.Photo/s from Nissan Also read:Nissan tackles COVID-19 challenges from different frontsI-ACT apprehends 4 colorum vans in Makati
BusinessCarmudiTMP continues with 30-vehicle donation pledge
As it celebrates its 32nd year of operations in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines continues to share its blessings by way of donating cars to various agencies.Recently, the local arm of the Japanese automotive titan donated three Vios units to the city government of Santa Rosa, Laguna. The latest handover is part of a 30 vehicle-commitment that TMP vowed to provide to various government hospitals and local government units (LGUs).The locally-assembled units, particularly within Toyota’s assembly plant situated in the city of Santa Rosa, are intended to serve as service shuttles for Santa Rosa Community Hospital (SRCH) and two health offices of the city government.The turnover of the vehicles was held at the Toyota Santa Rosa City, Laguna dealership and the vehicles were received by Santa Rosa City mayor Arlene Arcillas.Apart from donating vehicles, Toyota has already made various efforts to help curb the effects of COVID-19 in the area through mobility and socio-civic activities.Back in May, TMP lent vehicles to assist in the transportation needs of the city’s healthcare workers. Also, the company’s humanitarian arm, TMP Foundation (TMPF), provided some personal protective equipment (PPE) to SRCH frontliners.TMPF also distributed sacks of rice to two barangays, as well as grocery packages to families in the Toyota–City of Santa Rosa–Gawad Kalinga Village.With the resumption of its manufacturing operations, TMP assured its Team Members and the local community of its strict observance to health and safety protocols to help fight the spread of COVID-19.The Toyota Santa Rosa City, Laguna dealership also assured its customers and visitors with the full observance of standard protocols under the “new normal” in vehicle sales and after-sales, in compliance with the government regulations that put safety and health as top priority.Earlier, TMP announced that one of its valued team members has been tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19.Photo/s from Toyota Motor Philippines Also read: Toyota PH Brings More Help to Flatten the CurveToyota PH outlines changes to accommodate ‘new normal’ in businessToyota PH Lends Out Vios, Test Units to Frontliners
BusinessCarmudiFord Transit PHEV now comes with automatic electric mode
The current version of the Ford Transit commercial vehicle is the eco-friendliest and most intuitive yet, but the Blue Oval is not an automotive company to rest on its laurels. Aiming to improve on both aspects, Ford is introducing an automatic electric mode feature in its line of Ford Transit plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).The nifty automatic electric mode links to a geofencing system to tell if the vehicle is entering a low-emission zone. Using live location info, the geofencing tech activates the Transit PHEV’s electric mode to ensure the vehicle stays within the appropriate emission levels while in the zone.The geofencing function doesn’t have to only apply to city centers: vehicle operators and fleet owners themselves can input their own “green zones” into the system to encourage low-emission driving near schools, playgrounds, warehouses and other ideal locations. When the vehicle leaves a pre-determined green zone, the system mechanically switches to the most appropriate drive mode for the next part of the journey.“Improving the quality of air – and quality of life – in our towns and cities is a goal that we all have a responsibility to drive towards,” said Mark Harvey, Ford’s European commercial vehicle mobility director.The Transit Custom PHEV and Tourneo Custom PHEV commercial vans are the first vehicles in their class to come equipped with a hybrid-electric powertrain. A 13.6 kWh battery delivers a zero-emission NEDC driving range of up to 35 miles (56kms) for the Transit Custom PHEV, and up to 33 miles (53kms) in the Tourneo Custom PHEV. In both vehicles the onboard 1.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine can charge the battery on-demand to extend the range of both vehicles to over 310 miles (500kms).Both vehicles can be fully recharged in under four-and-a-half hours from a standard power outlet, or in under three hours using commercial charging point. A regenerative braking feature further captures electrical energy when the vehicle decelerates or brakes.“The Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid and its new geofencing feature helps our customers to make a real contribution to that goal without compromising on efficiency or productivity,” Harvey added.Although the Ford Transit available locally, what we have is the 2.2-liter diesel version. It sells for PHP2.3 million.Photo/s from Ford Also Read: Ford issues safety recall on Escape, Transit, MustangFord Co-Pilot360 will soon allow hands-free driving
LifestyleAutoblogThe No. 1 bestselling car jump starter on Amazon is 21% off right now
Car jump starters are one of those things that most people consider "nice to have," but too few people actually pick one up to keep in their trunk. Sure, you might have a pair of jumper cables, but do you really want to be flagging a total stranger over to help you with a jump when you could just do it yourself? Thankfully, jump starters are more portable and more effective than ever nowadays, and Amazon's bestselling model is available for 21% off the original price right now.
BusinessAutoblog2021 Jeep Gladiator gets Willys and 80th Anniversary packages
A thread on the Jeep Gladiator Forum reveals the 2021 Gladiator will pick up three special packages, one of them already available on the Wrangler. A Gladiator Willys package at two price points takes its lead from the Wrangler Willys trims, and our guess is that the Gladiator 80th Anniversary package obliquely celebrates the 1941 Willys MB. The new trims haven't appeared on the Jeep website as of writing, but several forum members say their dealers are taking orders now.
LifestyleAutoblogWanna be different with your vintage SUV? Try a Plymouth Trailduster
Perhaps the greatest choice you could make, then, is a Plymouth Trailduster like this 1974 version in a very-1974 shade of orangey bronze. Both represented Chrysler's answer to the Chevy K5 Blazer. The original SJ Jeep Cherokee was introduced for '74 as well (remember, kids, Jeep wasn't yet a Chrysler brand), but the Bronco wouldn't transform into a comparably large, truck-based SUV until 1978.
EntertainmentAutoblog'Long Way Up' features Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman riding Harley-Davidson LiveWires from Argentina to Mexico
It’s been over a decade since Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman teamed up for their last two-wheeled adventure. Instead of BMW adventure bikes this time, though, McGregor and Boorman are riding Harley-Davidson LiveWires. It’s one hell of a trek for a fleet of electric vehicles that haven’t even hit the production line yet.
BusinessAutoblogRam open to releasing electric pickup if buyers ask for one
Ram hasn't announced plans to launch an electric pickup yet, but it confirmed it's keeping a close eye on the burgeoning segment in case it needs to jump in. At least half a dozen electric pickups are scheduled to enter production during the first half of the 2020s, including models from Ram's rivals and from start-ups. There is not a single electric truck available new in the United States in 2020, but the segment is expected to balloon in the coming years.
NewsAutoblogFlorida man clings to semi truck hood for 9 miles on freeway: Watch the video
Here’s something you don’t see every day: A man clinging to the hood of a semi truck, bashing the windshield with his fists and head as it drives 9 miles along the Florida Turnpike, captured in a viral video from a passing motorist. It happened Saturday afternoon on the toll road in Palm Beach County. According to local reports, an unidentified man was driving on the freeway with a male passenger in a Toyota SUV when the man began acting strangely and stopped the vehicle on the exit ramp to Boynton Beach.
LifestyleAutoblog2020 Ford Expedition Luggage Test | How much fits behind the third row?
It should go without saying that the 2020 Ford Expedition is enormous. Lowering the third-row, as I did during my road trip, yields a maximum of 63.6 cubic-feet, which is comparable to the maximum, seats-down cargo capacity of many compact SUVs.
BusinessAutoblogHonda EV-Cub patent is the electric Super Cub we've been waiting for
Perhaps the reintroduction of the gasoline-fueled Super Cub, which we found just as delightful in its modernized form as the original from the 1950s, is the impetus Honda needs to put an electric Cub into production. The patent drawings — interestingly filed back in 2016 but only published this year — show a tube frame covered in what we'd guess is a flowing set of plastic body panels. A revised EV-Cub Concept was displayed in Tokyo in 2015 without the earlier version's chunky in-hub electric motor placement (see the video below), and if a production version looked exactly like that conceptual model, we figure a lot of city dwellers looking for a stylish urban runabout would be interested.
LifestyleAutoblogToyota Supra in line to get a manual transmission?
The Supra rumors just get stranger. Japanese outlet Mag X reports (translated), via CarBuzz, that Toyota is developing a manual transmission for the automaker's newest sports car. Best Car magazine claimed Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada spoke of a limited-edition model in a few years that would be powered by BMW's S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six.
BusinessAutoblog2020 BMW X3 Review | Plugging in and pumping up
The idea of a BMW SUV used to be provocative. Importantly, the subsequent "SAVs," as BMW called them, generally delivered on being zestier than the typical SUV. What was once distinctive and zesty is now best described as BMW's staple people mover in a large, ultra-competitive segment.
LifestyleAutoblogFord Maverick rumor predicts 'a Transit Connect pickup'
Over the weekend, spy shots of a coming Ford vehicle ignited debate around the Autoblog offices as to whether we were looking at a next-generation Ford Flex or the coming Maverick compact pickup. With the Maverick expected to be shorter overall than the Ranger, and packing four doors, a bed around 42 inches sounds like a good guess to start with.
NewsCarmudiNCR, other provinces to revert back to MECQ
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan and the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan back in modified enhanced community quarantine effective tomorrow (Tuesday, August 4).The reverting of lockdown level was made following the recommendation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque during the president's televised meeting late Sunday evening.The approval from the chief executive also came after medical frontliners urged the government to place Metro Manila back to ECQ to give them rest and recalibrate strategies against the dreaded disease.Based on the current guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), public transportation shall again be suspended.Only those personal vehicles and company shuttles that have been identified as authorized persons outside their residences (APOR), point-to-point transport services provided by the government and postal and courier services are allowed to operate, subject to the guidelines that the government has imposed.“The use of bikes and other non-motorized transportation is strongly encouraged,” the guideline added.For MECQ, rented company shuttles need to secure a special permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and are only allowed to ferry 50 percent of its passenger capacity.Meanwhile, since the MECQ is in place, back riding (also known as pillion riding) on motorcycles or bicycles will again be halted, countering the announcement of the Department of Interior and Local Government.Photos from Presidential Communications Operations Office, Ruben D. Manahan IVAlso read:Luzon Now under ‘Enhanced Community Quarantine’Metro Manila now on GCQMalacañang announces quarantine protocols; still no mass transport
BusinessCarmudiSubaru wants to fast-track online sales with SPEED
Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc. (MIP), the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, announced its latest initiative developed to help customers pick the right model from the Subaru lineup while in the comfort of their homes.MIP has rolled out its online shop, Subaru SPEED, which stands for Shopping Platform from Electronic Enquiry up to Delivery.The latest platform for Subaru in the country is targeted to help its clients pick their dream Subaru vehicle online so they do not have to go outside and walk into their showrooms.Subaru SPEED is capable of providing relevant information and assistance through the following:Brochure Request: Clients may simply get digital versions of brochures. Those who have inquiries can talk to sales consultants from their preferred dealership via Zoom, FB Messenger or Microsoft Teams.Pricing Information Customers can learn about the suggested retail prices of the whole line up (excluding freight to provincial locations), the latest promotional offers on new cars and accessories as well as aftersales and maintenance servicing schedules and costs to help customers decide which Subaru best fits their budget needs to go with their lifestyle.Virtual Test Drive One may take a virtual ride on their preferred vehicle with a 360 degree view of their favorite brand new unit minus the 3D glasses. This will give them more than a glimpse of the functions that comes as standard in their preferred Subaru vehicle.At-Home Test Drive If you are not convinced with virtual test drive, you can book a test drive unit so you can have the real deal right in front of your doorstep by registering online or calling their showrooms around the archipelago.Dealership and Financing Options MIP’s capable pool of sales consultants are more than ready to help customers once they already have their desired Subaru. Should you choose to have your brand new unit delivered to your homes, you may do so.Those who want to know more may visit their website at https://www.subaru.asia/ph/speed. Photos from Subaru, Motor Image PilipinasFilipino singer vies to be next Subaru ambassadorSubaru Apologizes for Unfortunate Acronym at 2020 Singapore Motor ShowSubaru reopens dealerships with precautions, offers 'at-home' test drives
BusinessCarmudiFord's new navigation tech stays on course even without cell coverage
Built-in car navigation systems are great and all, but as soon as you enter an area without cell coverage, more often than not, they become entirely useless. Ford’s new Telenav navigation tech aims to change all that.Optimized for off-road adventures, Telenav not only functions in places without network coverage, it can also ensure Ford owners don’t lose their way when they take on the road less traveled.The system continues to work in network blind spots by storing maps and detecting the vehicle’s position based on telemetrics so it can continue routing in real time.Aside from being optimized for off-roading, Telenav is also tweaked for trailer towing, guiding drivers to ideal routes and roads to take depending on the dimensions of their trailer so they can avoid sharp curves, low overpasses, and narrow bridges.What’s more, the system is also updatable, with additional trail maps to be added in the future.On-road and within coverage, the Telenav system supplies users with the latest maps providing updated info on dining places, parking spots, and hotels along the way. Telenav also provides traffic conditions instantaneously so F-150 and Bronco owners can decide on better routes. A voice assistant is also on-hand for hands-free operation.Part of the SYNC 4 infotainment suite, the new Telenav system will be introduced in the Ford Bronco SUV family and the latest F-150 pickup to be released next year.“Customers want connected vehicle technologies to work more like smartphones with real-time, personalized services – and that is exactly what we are offering with Ford SYNC 4 innovations such as Telenav’s navigation system,” said Gary Jablonski, manager, Ford Connected Vehicle Infotainment Systems.“F-150 and Bronco drivers now can get richer, quicker location search results, tow more confidently with custom routes and keep following off-road trail maps where other navigation systems go dark when cell coverage ends,” Jablonski continued.Using the Telenav system, F-150 and Bronco owners will also be able to see up-to-date nearby landmarks and businesses on their screens, complete with Yelp user ratings and descriptions. Meanwhile, Telenav’s one-box search technology makes looking up addresses and destinations smarter and more user-friendly, prioritizing results based on the user’s location and personal preferences.Telenav can also make predictions relating to the user’s destinations, automatically making routing suggestions without the user having to press a button or initiate a voice command.“Ford and Telenav are building on a long-term collaboration to help customers get the most out of their vehicles, whether it’s advising F-150 customers to steer around traffic jams to help save time getting to jobs or keeping Bronco off-roaders on track on their exciting adventures,” said H.P. Jin, Telenav Co-Founder and CEO. “We’re proud to be a partner in that with our connected navigation solution and services.”We don’t know when the Bronco will reach our shores, and the 2020 F-150 model has just been released in the PH market, so the 2021 model may be a long ways away. Likewise, Ford makes no mention if the Telenav system can be upgraded retroactively to existing SYNC 4 systems. With these considerations in mind, it may take a while before we see the Telenav system equipped in a local Ford car.For those interested in snapping up the 2020 Ford F-150, however, you can check out pricing, specs, and other info by clicking on this link.Photo/s from FordAlso read:Ford PH begins welcoming back customersFord PH hands over 10,000 protective face shields to DOH, DTI
