The weather seems to have improved this week! All that smog seems to have lessened considerably, while the occasional rain showers help keep things cool in the day or night. This week in motoring seems to have replicated that pleasant climate, with exciting new-car launches and even a rumored new Toyota in the works. Here are your five favorite stories from Oct. 2 to 8, 2023 in this edition of the AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup. Toyota Land what? The Toyota Land Cruiser is a name that is a

GAC Philippines has reached another significant milestone in the Philippines, surpassing 1,000 units in total retail sales for 2023 - a record achievement for the automaker since being under the global mobility company Astara. GAC Motor achieved year-to-date retail sales of 1,017 units as of August. The figures are likewise reflected on the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) database. The 1000+ sales is evidence of the brand’s growing popularity in the country. T

When print, radio, and television were the only sources of information, this was how a person, a brand, or even a whole country was brought down. The relentless negative narratives pushed by agenda-driven personalities would ensure that all mass media was fed with the storylines crafted to shape public opinion for or against a target. In today’s age of social media, the same is true but on a magnified scale. News and information travel faster. More opinions are heard by a larger audience than ev

The 2023 Toyota Wigo has already been launched in the ASEAN market, with Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia all getting the new version of the hatchback. While it is called the Daihatsu Ayla, Perodua Axia and Toyota Agya, we refer to it as the Toyota Wigo in the Philippines. The exciting thing about the Wigo is its new engine, the 1.2-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline-3 gasoline motor from the Toyota Raize. However, not all markets adopted this new motor. Over in Indonesia, the 2023 Daihatsu Ayla r

Once a novelty in the slushbox segment, continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are getting increasingly popular. This is because of the multiple forward ratios that the transmission presents to the driver, instead of a set number of gears. In the Philippines, this particular tranny saw national attention when it was part of the original equipment for the mid-2000s Honda City subcompact sedan and Honda Jazz subcompact hatchback. The tranny was deemed a good alternative to a market that still p

(Images from Toyota PH) Even with the rising gasoline prices today, a car can be an investment, especially since the country's transport system is still a huge mess. Think of it as investing in something that enables you to go places safely while keeping cool and dry simultaneously. It also enables you to bring stuff with you and people, not just a single person, as opposed to buying a motorbike. It's like investing in yourself. If renting a house is like hitching a ride, buying a vehicle is lik