ZENITH is celebrating this year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), set on Sept. 30, by presenting a special Heritage Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton Up Black -- a model it also released for the 2016 and 2017 DGR. To help in this year’s DGR fund-raiser, Zenith has come up with five special renditions of the Pilot Ton Up Black called the Limited Edition 2018 DGR Ton Up.

Based on figures released by official channels, the Philippine automotive industry is going through a downturn right now in terms of sales. Compared to January-June numbers in 2017, first-half sales this year are fewer by some 25,000 units. That’s certainly a substantial six-month year-on-year decline by whatever yardstick you measure it against.

HAVING made its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show on March 28, the new-generation Subaru Forester on Aug. 7 marked its arrival in Asia-Pacific markets via a launch program held in Taichung, Taiwan. The latest model will be sold in the Philippines in early 2019.

AS far as per-capita comfort goes, few vehicles come close to Honda’s enduring and endearing Odyssey — the minivan that has been getting people from here to there since 1994. But first, some housekeeping is in order. There are actually two kinds of Odysseys huffing and puffing around the world: a more compact JDM version (which is the one we have here), and a slightly larger one earmarked for the North American market. Our Odyssey “lite” has spanned five generations, the last all-new version unveiled back in 2013 (but our current model has been refreshed); its American sibling’s fifth iteration was released just last year as a 2018 model — 13 inches longer, almost seven inches wider, and 0.8 inch taller than our locally sold Odyssey.

THEY aren’t just paint jobs, modifications, or overhauls. They’re complete re-imaginings of a Filipino transport icon.

STRONG demand in four Southeast Asian markets has led to Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) increasing production of its Xpander compact MPV, the car maker said in a statement.

THIS year, the Filipino consumer has taken quite a beating with the passing of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act as well as the global inflation. As the prices of fuel and basic commodities have shot up, car sales have gone down. Even profligate Filipinos know when to pinch their pennies.

THE Chevrolet Colorado, Trailblazer, Trax, Sail, and Spark can now be bought through low down payment plans or at discounted prices, the brand’s distributor in the Philippines said. The special financing schemes are available until Sept. 30.

IT’S not yet quite an all-new generation, but the new iterations of Mini’s hatches and convertible might as well be. Boasting sweeping changes in and out, the Mini 3 Door, 5 Door, and Cabrio have benefited in “visual appearance and extensive technological advancements,” according to a statement by the Oxford-headquartered car maker. In summary, the changes are reflected in “new engine-transmission combinations, an extended range of standard features, newly designed headlights and rear lights, additional body finishes and cutting-edge connectivity technology for convenience and infotainment.”

A BRE Datsun 510 race car from the early 1970s is set to lead Nissan Motor’s lineup at the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (RMMR), which will recognize Nissan as its first Japanese featured marque. Held annually during Monterey Car Week, which features the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the RMMR is one of the most prestigious vintage racing events in North America.

A NEW batch of Honda Civic Type R models allocated to the Philippines has arrived in the country, with deliveries to customers set to begin in October.

AS its name declares, the Ford GT Owners Edition Chronograph, made by American watch company Autodromo, is reserved exclusively for those who have bought the new Ford GT.