Mazda Philippines officially launched the 2024 Mazda CX-90 mild-hybrid luxury crossover, the brand’s new flagship model, on Sept. 22, 2023. Built on the brand’s large product platform, the three-row CX-90 blends performance and refinement into one premium package. “The first-ever Mazda CX-90 is the pinnacle of Mazda Premium," said Mazda Philippines president and CEO Steven Tan. "It is our most advanced model ever with exceptional levels of sophistication all throughout that can be enjoyed not ju

Many carmakers often use “mules” to test their own prototype components under complete secrecy. In some cases, they go to even greater lengths by utilizing the bodyshell of a car from another brand. For instance, Jaguar famously tested the turbocharged V6 engine of its XJ220 supercar by shoving it into the back of an old Ford Transit van – creating one of the fastest commercial vehicles in the world in the process. It seems that automakers are back to the same old tricks, as Carscoops reported o

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

Just one night's sleep separates us from the unveiling of an all-new small crossover from Honda. Tomorrow, November 2nd, the digital camouflage of the Honda SUV RS concept will be unraveled, and the production version of what is believed to be the next-generation Honda WR-V in that market will be introduced. The Honda WR-V nameplate isn't exactly new for markets such as Indonesia and India. In those countries, the WR-V is a hopped-up previous-generation Honda Jazz GK5. For the 2023 model, the de

The first time the Nissan Grand Livina entered the Philippine market in 2008, it was a three-row hatchback based on the Nissan Tiida platform. It was ahead of its time in many ways, as it offered car-like handling and seating for seven. Typical of what crossovers provide today. As head of the marketing team of Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc (NMPI) at that time, I was tasked to find ways to slot such a strange vehicle concept into the MPV-crazy consciousness of Filipino car buyers. The 2008 Nissan

When people say that the modern automotive popularity lies in crossover vehicles, I believe them and I understand why as I prefer crossovers too. Not because the hype is in crossovers, but I prefer it over other car types because of its versatility. It gives you the comfortability of a sedan with the functionalities of an SUV. It comes with more space than the sedan without having the responsibility to maneuver a massive regular-size sport utility vehicle. It just compensates for what you need o