AMERICAN CAR brand General Motors (GM) has announced it will cease local manufacturing and subsequently withdraw the Chevrolet brand from Thailand “by the end of the year.” The news, primarily distressing to some 1,900 people employed by the automaker (with some 1,200 involved in the Rayong manufacturing plant alone) also has ramifications for the Philippine market. More on that later.

If only we could, like Robert Frost, take the road less traveled. But in our daily lives, the road most traveled on our way to work and back home is also the most hated.

AC MOTORS showed its support for “the most creative and moving minds in the local and international art scene” at the Art Fair Philippines 2020 over the weekend at The Link in Ayala Center, Makati City. The company’s space at the fair showcased the work of Filipino-American artist James Clar. Using laser lights, Mr. Clar created “fully immersive and engaging light environments that explore perceptions of reality, time and space,” according to an AC Motors release. The artist’s work focuses on the effects of technology on human lives.

PRISTINE BEACHES, fiery sunsets, magical healers, and the hair-raising mystique of the mangkukulam (voodoo sorcerer). I’ve dreamt of going to Siquijor for the longest time. Access to this third-smallest island province of the country was never straightforward from the capital -- though I reckon that this remoteness has in fact, only added to its mysterious charm.

TOYOTA MOTOR Philippines Corporation (TMP) formally introduced Atsuhiro Okamoto as its incoming president in a ceremonies witnessed by members of the business community and the media at the Grand Hyatt Manila. The event highlighted TMP’s successes in the past four years under the leadership of president Satoru Suzuki, and presented a glimpse of how Toyota will transform into a mobility company, which aims to improve people’s daily lives through various mobility solutions.

ANOTHER alarm goes off at the crack of dawn. Another early morning drive in total darkness. I drag myself out of the house -- still a little disoriented from the lack of sleep -- and set my destination via a link that was sent over Viber to an unmapped location. I arrive at a very non-descript corrugated iron gate that is pulled open just wide enough for my car to squeeze in then is immediately shut behind me. I park, get handed a hard hat, a reflectorized vest, and a lukewarm cup of coffee. I wait.

NO ONE was probably holding their breath when the joint sales figures of the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) for 2019 came out.

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. (SMCACDC), the official importer, distributor, and service provider of BMW automobiles and motorbikes in the country, announced last Wednesday that it will reveal the all-new 1 Series and face-lifted X1 during its “BMW Joyfest” sales event from Feb. 21 to 23 at the Activity Center of Bonifacio Global City. The 1 Series is set to showcase its most modern look, together with a completely new platform designed for ever more performance and versatility. Meanwhile, the latest X1 will flaunt a number of updated features to reinforce why it is a truly captivating Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV, BMW’s term for SUV).

HAVE YOU already tried driving the Kia Seltos? It’s one of Kia’s latest products -- launched just last November, and the third of three new vehicles launched by the brand ever since its distributorship was acquired by Ayala-owned AC Industrials in early 2019. As a matter of fact, this month marks its first anniversary under Ayala management. Its latest contender for the subcompact crossover segment is, in my opinion, a strong one. There is much to discover and to love about the new Kia Seltos.

THE PLUG-IN variants of the Volvo S90 sedan, XC60 compact SUV, and XC90 mid-size SUV are now available in the Philippines -- offering “sleek, smart, and sensible” transportation.

WHAT DO Lexus and Grand Seiko (GS) have in common?

TO PARAPHRASE that almost ubiquitous tee with the swoosh, Toyota knows hybrids -- even if many of us probably do not.