PORSCHE in 2019 began a new chapter in its history by simultaneously introducing in three continents the Taycan -- the world’s first fully electric premium sports car to go into volume production. This year, the first batch of Taycan models are set to arrive in markets across the globe, included among which is the Philippines.

HONDA CARS Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is pleased to announce the extension of its holiday promo, Cheers for Deals. This caters to customers planning to purchase Honda vehicles this January. This month’s promo covers the City, BR-V, Brio, Civic and CR-V with the following cash discounts and all-in low down payment offers.

LAS VEGAS -- Nissan is bringing a touch of Japanese hospitality to CES 2020 with exhibits that show the brand’s vision for the future of mobility, from the Ariya Concept electric crossover to a zero-emission ice cream van and a self-sinking golf ball.

THE YEAR 2019 was a banner year for Filipino car enthusiasts -- not just sports car lovers but even for those who prefer sport sedans, crossovers, SUVs, or even hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs). Aside from the spectacular Toyota Supra GR, we had several unique models like the Hyundai Ioniq and Kona electric cars, the stunning Kia Stinger luxury sports sedan, the sensuously stylish all-new Mazda CX-30 and CX-8 crossovers, and nearly a dozen new Audis, BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes. We even got a mainstream hybrid vehicle in the all-new Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid.

AFTER HAVING scored a Top Safety Pick award in the U.S.A. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the all-new Audi Q8 now earns for itself a maximum five-star rating in the 2019 European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).

WAZE, the platform that brings communities together on and off the road, and the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DoT), have teamed up to promote the cultural and natural wonders of the Philippines with the launch of the “100 Days in the Philippines” campaign.

GOING ON a trip from Manila to the “City of Pines” has never been faster. What used to take upwards of six hours now can be done in as short as three, owing to the vastly improved national roads and the completion/interconection of the North Luzon (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac (SCTEX), and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union (TPLEX) expressways.

ON TRACK for its “Road to 50 Dealerships,” Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) formally held the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Isuzu dealership in La Union.

SIGNS pointed out, “Welcome home [to] Hiroshima” around Mazda’s Miyoshi Proving Ground, sometime late last year. Here, around 2,300 MX-5’s descended onto the track in celebration of the roadster’s 30^th anniversary; also in attendance were 102 members from the Miata Club of the Philippines and the MX-5 Club of Malaysia. There were other countries in attendance as well from Australia to Thailand to Italy to the United Kingdom, but none as big as the contingent from the Philippines.

HELLA, a leading European manufacturer of auto parts, believes being smart on the road is the key to avoiding vehicular accidents, be it night or day. Hella advocates for road safety by improving visibility when driving through sight and sound. With its high-quality, secure, and stylish products, Hella hopes to provide the market with the right tools needed to become smarter drivers and car owners.

SEAOIL PHILIPPINES, Inc. (SEAOIL), the country’s leading independent fuel player, has signed an exclusive partnership with online delivery platform Mr. Speedy, with the exclusive SEAOIL Boosted VIP card to be given to its drivers.

SINGAPORE -- Larger yet lighter, sporty yet luxurious, powerful yet fuel-efficient. The dichotomies come, well, fast and furious in the third generation of Bentley Flying Spur. First launched globally in June this year, the four-door Bentley is now poised to gradually roll out to the Asia-Pacific market as the UK car maker formalized its entry into the region with a launch in this city.