PAUSE for a minute and imagine everything that a small car is. Ugly, terrible to drive, cramped -- these are just some of the words used to describe what’s commonly considered as the lowest tier in motoring: the subcompact or A-segment car. Now, open your eyes and see the 2019 Honda Brio. It’s the most affordable car in Honda’s stable, yet it manages to adhere to everything the Japanese car maker stands for.

SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN -- Drive a nice car in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic and you’d be hard-pressed to appreciate it.

SEVERAL MODELS of the Ingolstadt, Germany-based car maker Audi have recently been feted acclaim and recognition by various third-party institutions worldwide on the basis of its design and safety features, technology, and market satisfaction. Here are the more notable ones.

I’VE BEEN to just about every major motor show in every corner of the globe. I’m used to seeing sleek new models being unveiled. I’m used to seeing racecars and supercars that look incredibly fast (and often are). I’m used to seeing concept cars that are so outlandish that they often don’t even see the light of day.

IT WAS another round of guiltless pleasure all over again! This time Ford Philippines sent me to cover the landmark celebration of the Ranger Raptor super truck being built in Silverton, Pretoria, South Africa. I, along with journalists from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and South Africa, were the first wave of motor journalists to test the factory’s finished production super bakkies (I prefer how the South Africans refer to pickup trucks). The Silverton plant currently produces the Ranger pickup for export to 148 markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

WITH THE world premiere of the Cayenne Coupé, Porsche is extending the third generation of its successful SUV range. The vehicle impresses with its...

HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles (CVs) in the Philippines, reported a 12.5% sales uptick in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period last year. HARI moved 9,949 units in the period compared to 8,847 in the first quarter of 2018.

THE COVENANT CAR COMPANY, Inc. (TCCCI), exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the country, held its annual Chevrolet National Skillsfest recently at the Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati, with 34 participants from the 27 Chevrolet dealerships nationwide.

WANT TO purchase a brand new heavy-duty truck for long-haul deliveries, but also need to tighten the budget? Just like every entrepreneur running big logistics and freight companies, you’re not alone, and yes, FOTON has already made a solution.

SUZUKI PHILIPPINES (SPH), the country’s pioneer compact car distributor, wrapped up the first quarter of the year with consistent sales growth, securing the sixth spot in the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) roster.

STRETCHING the full potential of its parts sales business, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) entered into a one-year partnership with the Philippine division of the Wuerth Group starting last April 1.

PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN -- Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) unveiled last Thursday the refreshed version of its popular multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Avanza. The new iteration banners a sportier look, reworked dashboard with a new infotainment system, and more safety features.