BESIDES presenting the prototype version of its SkyActiv-X gasoline engine (along with other systems being developed related to this) Mazda Motor Corp. on May 27, at its proving ground in Mine, Japan, also discussed launch schedules of what it said are its “next-generation technologies.”

TRUE pragmatists must rue sports cars -- which primarily leverage the passion of people who crave increased speed, whistle-bait looks, and race car qualities -- because, well, sports cars aren’t really much help when you need do the groceries, take Junior and his friends to an activity, or the wife and the kids to a movie. Besides, what’s the fun in, well, not getting to share the fun with more people?

THE Porsche Center Philippines showroom on EDSA is hosting a festival celebrating Porsche’s 70^th anniversary.

When Ford Philippines announced in 2012 its decision to stop assembling vehicles in the country, you just knew it was game over for our automotive manufacturing industry. Sure, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Isuzu are still making a few models here, but their production is only for local consumption, so the volumes involved will never be huge. Ford used to export locally assembled vehicles to other ASEAN markets, but even those were small in numbers.

THAT automakers’ proving grounds are located in remote spots makes sense; this allows such places to sit on vast tracts of land, not to mention keeping them away from prying lenses. These are venues, after all, on which new models and technologies are tested before any of them get to showrooms.

THE innovative Auto Gear Shift (AGS) technology of the new Suzuki Dzire was put through its paces on June 4 at the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas, during a track day organized by Suzuki Philippines. The activity was meant to showcase the new exterior and interior features of the Japanese car maker’s B-segment sedan, along with the highlighted AGS transmission.

AS car companies anticipate deliveries to pick up pace in the second half of the year -- domestic vehicle sales have dropped 9.3% in 2018’s first four months as consumers appeared to have made their purchases earlier in an effort to beat the higher taxes imposed on automobiles beginning in January -- a leading bank could play a role in the segment’s recovery as it started to offer more accessible financing packages for vehicle (and house) purchases.

We need to sit down and talk about an ugly truth in the automotive business: Many Filipinos who “buy” cars have no business doing so. And that’s because these “buyers” really can’t afford one. They just get enticed by insanely low down payments and the moronic desire to impress or keep up with the neighbors.

In the latest episode of the BusinessWorld Discussions podcast, Antonio E. Inton, Jr. founder of Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection said that his...

IN perhaps what could be considered a long-overdue move, Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. has finally made its presence felt in the midsize SUV category with the regional introduction of its new frame-based Terra.

TO BE perfectly honest, not a few mouths were left agape when Volkswagen Philippines announced a five-model onslaught last May 18. The China-sourced and badged models -- the Santana, Santana GTS, long-wheelbase Tiguan, Lavida and Lamando -- are widely expected to reestablish the German brand’s presence here while boosting sales.

THE upgraded Mazda MX-5 sports roadster, with new safety features and performance enhancements, is now available in all 20 showrooms of Mazda Philippines.