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.

DESPITE the 12.5% decline in domestic auto deliveries during the first half of 2018 Suzuki Philippines (SPH) said its sales grew 5.7% for the same six-month period.

I used to collect Casio G-Shocks. Not sure what I was thinking at the time, but amassing an assortment of colorful digital watches seemed cute then. So cute my collection made it to Piece No. 42. It was fun being able to wear a different G-Shock each day, the choice being mostly dictated by the shirt color I happened to pick from the drawer.

TAIWAN-BASED tire maker Maxxis, distributed in over 170 countries, has been making a mark here in the Philippines through its products for light commercial vehicles, trucks and buses.

A 2018 Isuzu D-Max equipped with a new 1.9-liter diesel engine posted a best mileage figure of 22.59 kilometers per liter during a fuel economy run conducted on July 19.