2023 Philippine Rally flags off this weekend

made progress). Right now, what we consider as PHRX’s little wins are the rally drivers we inspired to join into the sport,” Camacho furthered.

PHRX has been committed to this goal and believes that its dirt trial series will serve as a forming ground to develop top notch rally drivers. With this, experienced dirt drivers’ next level is the Philippine Rally.

Bigger and more exhilarating

Four seasons following the Philippine

Rallycross Series, the PHRX inaugurated the first Philippine Rally held in Floridablanca, Pampanga in December 2018. Now, the 2023 Philippine Rally is the latest edition of the PHRX rally series. Scheduled for 12 special stages, the rally will cover a total distance of over 60-kms which consists of various surfaces of gravel, dirt, and mud.

Like the rallies of old, the 2023 Philippine Rally is more than just speed. As per PHRX, the race is a test

CHERY Auto PH elated with high sales growth of Tiggo 5X, Tiggo 8 PRO models

THANKS to a combination of factors led by the growing public awareness about the CHERY brand and its stylish, featurepacked line of crossovers or sport utility vehicles, sales of key models from one of the country’s fastest-growing automotive brands rocketed by as much as 85 percent in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year.

The sales growth for two of CHERY’s important models far outpaces the total industry growth, which averaged 35 percent over the course of last year. It also brings CHERY Auto Philippines on track for achieving, or even surpassing, its sales targets for 2023.

The strong growth reflects the high demand for the company’s subcompact Tiggo 5X, which sold a total of 331 units in the first quarter of 2023 for a 75 percent growth compared to last year. Meanwhile, CHERY’s top-of-the-line midsize 7-seater, the Tiggo 8 PRO which sold a total of 128 units boasted even higher growth of 86% percent from just 69 units same period last year.

The expected robust growth also reflects CHERY’s over 20 years of independent innovation, having established no less than five global R&D centers employing over 7,000 technology-driven team members responsible for over 14,000 patents. CHERY is the leading Chinese company in developing technology through independent R&D.

Further complementing CHERY’s momentum is the brand’s Summer Blazing

Tiggo Deals promo, which runs until June 30 and offers affordable and easy own deals such as all-in down payments as low as P28,888, monthly amortizations as low as P7,796, and savings as much as P130,000, depending on the vehicle model.

The Tiggo 5X fully loaded subcompact crossover (Luxury variant) boasts a sunroof, luxury leather seats, and an even more generous array of comfort and convenience features. Drive home a Tiggo 5X for a low down payment of P38,888, low monthly of P8,235, or cash savings of as much as P95,000. Continuously impressing new car buyers with its premium build quality and luxury car features is the midsize 7-seater SUV Tiggo 8 PRO. It is powered by a turbo 1.6-liter engine mated to a 7- speed DCT automatic transmission developing a strong

195hp and 290Nm of torque. It has a 12.3inch touchscreen info-tainment system with 8 speakers and over a dozen Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) to give you European luxury car levels of safety. The Tiggo 8 PRO 1.6 is available for a low down payment of P98,888, low monthly of P16,449, or cash discount of as much as P100,000.

Equally compelling reasons to buy a new CHERY is the brand’s industryleading Premium Preserv warranty and PMS program, highlighted by a 10-year/1 million-km engine warranty, 5- year general warranty, 3-year FREE roadside assistance, and a 3-year FREE preventive maintenance service (PMS). Tiggo 8 models have a 7-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and 3- year FREE roadside assistance and PMS.

Emkoo center of attraction as GAC Motors celebrates 5th year

GAC Motor Philippines is pleased to announce new retail pricing for the GAC EMKOO as a gesture of gratitude to its valued customers in celebration of the brand’s fifth year in the country.

The new retail price of the GAC EMKOO will be PHP 1,498,000 for the top-of-the-line GL variant and P1,298,000 for the GE variant. The new retail price will also apply to customers who reserved the EMKOO in April when it was launched at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).

“GAC Motor has always been at the forefront of technological innovation to build cars that are high quality, exceptionally durable, and great to drive. The EMKOO embodies these principles, and our new retail pricing makes this remarkable vehicle even more accessible to a wider audience of Filipino customers who want style, comfort, and technological advancements in a reliable SUV,” said Jun Cajayon, brand head of GAC Motor, Astara Philippines.

The EMKOO is an ultra-modern fiveseater compact SUV that impresses with its future-forward design and cutting-edge technologies, making it the most ideal vehicle for today’s generation.

The overall design of the EMKOO is bold, captivating, and futuristic. Inspired by Sci-Fi elements, the industrial aesthetic design is defined by sharp feature lines, angular edges and a dynamic stance that distinct look and head-turning presence of the EMKOO. Start of EMKOO Retails through Expanded Dealer Network GAC Motor dealers across the country will hold special EMKOO launches and test drives on the following dates to herald the EMKOO’s arrival and start of retails: June 3 – Bacoor, Makati and Tarlac of strategy, endurance, and teamwork between drivers and their co-drivers. Strategy will come in keeping the car in good shape to endure all 60-kms of rally racing, and teamwork between the driver and navigator will play a huge role in each team’s end rally result.

June 10 – Cainta, E. Rodriguez, Pampanga and Quezon Avenue June 16 – Davao June 17 – Alabang, Manila Bay and Iloilo July 30 – Batangas City, Butuan, Cebu and Lipa City Within seven months since the brand’s relaunch in January, the company’s dealer network has been on hypergrowth, with the number of operational dealerships rapidly increasing from four to fifteen by end of July.

Following this week’s action, the next round of the 2023 Philippine Rally is scheduled on July 29-30. For more information and updates on the

Embracing the EVs

IT WAS already raining “cats and dogs” outside that Wednesday afternoon after the ceremonial ribbon was finally cut and officials together with the huge number of guests then went inside the well-lighted showroom to start the longdelayed prepared program.

It was a very successful twin-launch of two of Willy Tee-Ten’s Kia dealership –Kia Marikina and Kia Otis Manila –held at the busy corner of UN Avenue and Otis in Pandacan. It was under the umbrella of the Autohub Group and these two new Kia showrooms is now Kia Philippines’ 43rd and 44th dealership, respectively.

To Willy Tee-Ten, president of Autohub Group, the return of Kia to his number of various car brands is very special as he reminded of his first Kia dealership in Jose Abad Santos Avenue, also in Manila.

The popularity of the brand in the country today plus its thrust and focus towards electrification could be a big factor for Willy to choose and get not one but two dealerships for his burgeoning Autohub Group. Willy is one true-believer that the country would turn to “electric vehicles” in the near future.

But he is not the only one who is seeing the “electrification” of the car industry sooner than expected. One other main man that night is Manny Aligada, the president of Kia Philippines, who said that they didn’t wink an eye in giving Willy two Kia dealerships at the same time.

“Opening not just one but two new dealerships is indeed a milestone for us. Under the experienced management of the Autohub Group, we are confident that Kia Otis and Kia Marikina will bring even more joy to our treasured customers. We look forward to a meaningful and fruitful partnership with the Autohub Group in the years to come,” Manny Aligada said during his speech.

Later on, when we caught Manny Aligada at the sideline, he gave us a good view of what Kia Philippines is