Motoring
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
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Prices of second-hand
commercial vehicles soar amid TRAIN
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RICES of second-hand commercial vehicles have risen by as much as Php150,000, a result of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).
This was revealed by top buy-and-sell website OLX based on second-hand commercial vehicles ad postings on the portal, from January 2017 to April 2018. Speculations on the TRAIN Law fuelled the price increase on the 3rd quarter of 2017 and continue long after it was implemented early this year. The TRAIN Law has influenced the resale value of one to two-year old cars with an average increase of P90,000. Among these are units with original retail price of P1million and above such as Toyota Innova, Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero and Ford Everest. The first tax reform package of the present administration, the TRAIN Law provides for the increase in take-home pay of Filipino workers by reducing income tax rates while increasing and rationalizing tax rates in other goods and services. For automobiles, TRAIN simplifies excise tax but lower-priced cars
continue to be taxed at a lower rate while more expensive cars are taxed at a higher rate. “The data we released is our way of guiding buyers in determining which second-hand vehicles have significantly increased in price,” says OLX Head of Cars Xervin Maulanin. “This will also help them evaluate the difference in buying pre-owned versus brand new cars.” Meanwhile, no significant effect can be seen on prices of entry level passenger cars like Toyota Vios, Honda City and Hyundai Accent. Additionally, Maulanin also notes, “Despite talks about the TRAIN Law in the third quarter of 2017, the demand for second-hand cars continued to increase.” Even with the price hike, OLX’s data indicates a steady market for pre-owned vehicles, from high-value to entry level, as the ad posting for second-hand vehicles continues to be on the upswing.
BM: New X3 M in the pipeline THE BMW X3 crossover SUV is a very popular model for the Bavarian automaker and it’s been with us for a while now. It therefore shouldn’t come as too much of a shock that BMW has now confirmed that a hot X3 M performance variant is in the pipeline. Seen as a direct rival to the Porsche Macan Turbo, the X3 M will be joined by a new X4 M, which the German auto giant has also confirmed as being in its ongoing plans. It’s been confirmed that this perfor-
mance-focused version of the mid-size X3 SUV will feature a six-cylinder twinturbocharged engine and four-wheel drive, and as the manufacturer has released teaser images of the new model, we already have an idea of how it will look. Although the X-range is rapidly expanding and is already fairly sizable, the performance variant of the X3 will represent the first time BMW has produced a mid-sized SUV of this type. A pretty aggressive looking style for
the X3 M can be gleaned from the teaser images, and of course, there are also plenty of unofficial spy shots doing the rounds on the internet showing test mules being put through their paces covered in the usual camouflage wraps. The bumpers look to be extended and more sculptured than with the regular X3, and there are also some extended side skirts and an aggressive rear spoiler to complete the sporty look. BMW hasn’t gone as far as releasing the actual performance figures for the new model, but it’s likely the six-cylinder twin-turbo will develop somewhere north of 425 horsepower when it finally breaks cover. That power will be harnessed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and the manufacturer’s selectable xDrive all-wheel drive system first introduced with the M5 sedan. Perhaps a little surprisingly in the current climate, it’s also believed a new diesel-powered M Performance X3 is under consideration too. If that one does manage to make it to the production line, which isn’t a certainty at this point, it would probably be powered by the 3.0-liter V-6 tri-turbodiesel currently found in the extremely impressive M50d.
Nissan sets December debut in electric street racing tilt The Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125
Kawasaki unveils new bikes THE Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki will unveil its new 125cc Ninja and Z motorcycles—largely inspired by the brand’s famous sports bikes—at the Intermot international motorcycle fair in Cologne, Germany, October 3-7, 2018. Kawasaki is giving riders a taste of what’s to come from two new 125cc models—the Ninja 125 and the Z125—available to holders of A1-category licenses for small motorcycles. As well as their names, the new bikes inherit the signature looks of some of Kawasaki’s sportiest bikes. The cycles’ most immediately striking feature is their design, with the 125cc Ninja notably referencing the Ninja ZX10RR, and the Z125 inspired by the Z brand’s naked styling. Both bikes have
tubular trellis type frames using the same stress technology previously seen in Kawasaki’s supercharged Ninja H2. The Ninja 125 and Z125 also share a singlecylinder, water-cooled engine rated at 11kW, or 15HP. The Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125 will premiere at the Intermot motorcycle fair before going on sale in 2019. With its new 125cc models, Kawasaki is reaching out to younger riders with an entry point to the brand’s range, before they move on to more powerful models with higher capacities. The brand’s strategy echoes the approach taken at Honda, which added 125cc models to its range of CB roadsters, such as the recent CB125R Neo Sports Café. AFP
The Hino groundbreaking ceremony was attended by (from left) Kajima Corp. EVP Hiroshi Ishikawa; HMP President Hiroshi Aoki; HML President & CEO, Yoshio Shimo; HMP Chairman Vicente Mills, Jr., Marubeni Corp. COO Atsushi Suzuki; Laguna Provl. Engineer Philip Bautista; Laguna Community Affairs Officer Engr. Pablo del Mundo and Canlubang Councilor Dexter Bathan.
YOKOHAMA—Nissan has strengthened its partnership with e.dams by purchasing a stake in the championship-winning racing organization, ahead of Nissan’s debut in the ABB FIA Formula E electric streetracing championship. Nissan is joining Formula E as the first Japanese carmaker to participate in the innovative series and as the global leader in electric cars, with more than 350,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles sold. Nissan’s Formula E program will show a new “performance side” of Nissan Intelligent Mobility – the company’s vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society. Based in Le Mans, France, and cofounded by team principal Jean-Paul Driot, the e.dams organization emerged from DAMS, a leading contender in European open-wheel and sports car competition for more than 30 years. In its previous partnership with Nissan’s alliance partner Renault, e.dams won the Team Championship in the first three seasons of Formula E. It also holds records for most wins and pole positions. “For Nissan’s first Formula E experience, it makes sense to partner with e.dams and be able to draw on the organization’s experience of winning races and champi-
Hino Motors breaks ground
onships,” said Roel de Vries, Nissan corporate vice president and global head of marketing and brand strategy. “The level of competition in Formula E will get even more intense for season five, with a series- mandated all-new car and powertrain. As part of our commitment to our partnership, Nissan has now purchased an ownership stake in the organization, and we’re excited to work with Jean-Paul and his team.” Said Driot: “With our new partner Nis-
san, we’re eagerly awaiting the new challenges ahead. We’re very proud of our history in Formula E, and we’re looking forward to adding new pages to the series’ history books with our new partner and the new car.” Nissan and e.dams have begun testing the all-new “Gen2” Formula E car, which provides more power and range and eliminates the need for the midrace car swap that was a feature of Formula E during the first four seasons. Motoring@MS
The 2018 Nissan Leaf
THE exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the Philippines, Hino Motors Philippines,ha broken ground for its new office building and technical training service center in Hino Plant, Canlubang, Laguna. Besides expanding business operations, Hino’s new facility will be used to strengthen the skill set of the company’s manpower through the technical training service center. Rooted in its commitment to providing Total Support, Hino hopes to provide the best kind of training and preparation for its staff and dealers to enable to handle different situations as truck service providers.
“Hino is always looking for opportunities to improve the quality of products and services that we offer. From launching Euro 4 vehicles and the new truck line to opening new dealerships and continually improving our aftersales program, Hino ensures that we always offer something new and of high value to our customers,” said HMP President Hiroshi Aoki. Hino Motors, Ltd. President and CEO Yoshio Shimo also graced the groundbreaking ceremony and shared a few words in light of the event with emphasis on communicating Hino as the “trucks and buses that do more”.
As the only one-stop shop in the Philippines for trucks and buses, Hino upholds its vision of creating a more connected community where goods and people reach their destination in the most efficient manner possible. “All our actions derive from our commitment to provide Total Support to all our partners. By being passionate to serve the Filipino people, we uphold the premium standard Hino is known for globally and across the country,” HMP Chairman Vicente T. Mills, Jr. shared. The 17,990-square-meter facility is expected to be completed by July 2019.