Elegant business carriage and comfortable tourer

Having your cake and eating it too—that’s exactly what the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is all about and it’s now in the country—in the flesh.

 It was literally an intimate launch that the All-New BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo had the other week with limitedly invited members of the motoring media joined by BMW loyalists, repeat buyers and future owners in attendance.

“Aesthetic appeal, space and functionality: these three make up the All-New BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, a high-caliber edition to the BMW 3 Series range that targets the premium mid-size segment,” said Ms. Maricar Parco, the very lovely lady president of Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the country’s exclusive importers and distributors of BMW. “The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo exudes the performance of a sports sedan, at the same time offers immense practicality and extra space that can be used in many ways—making it the only model of its kind in its segment today” Maricar added with the usual air of confidence that marks all of her launch presentations.

Although its proportions, surfaces and lines make it immediately recognizable as a member of the BMW 3 Series, the Gran Turismo is actually longer, wider and taller than the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

During the launch, Glen Dasig, ACC’s dapper executive director for marketing further explained, “In line with BMW’s thrust for greener mobility, each BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo runs with BMW EfficientDynamics. Features such as optimized  aerodynamics, includs curtains, air breathers and an active rear spoiler, the Auto Star-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, and ECO PRO mode allow the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo to significantly reduce fuel consumption and boost efficiency.”  

The Gran Turismo comes in 3 variants; the 320d GT Sport, 320d GT Modern and the 320d GT Luxury, all similarly equipped with 2-liter BMW TwinPower In-line 4-cylinder engine, 8-speed Automatic w/ Steptronic transmission with identical output of 184 hp and 380 of torque.

Congratulations to Asian Carmakers for another successful BMW launch.

Another Peugeot Dealership

Closely following in the heels of Peugeot Las Piñas, Peugeot Cagayan de Oro, Peugeot Quirino, Peugeot Cebu, Peugeot Nueva Ecija and Peugeot Lipa, Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), official importer of Peugeot vehicles in the country, together with Green Valley Auto Sales Corp., formally opened in the midst of pouring rain (lucky omen?) and scores of traffic grid locks in the Metro last October 10, 2013 the doors of Peugeot Pasig. Like all the Peugeot dealerships before it, Peugeot Pasig aims to provide the full Peugeot ownership experience to its customers while ascribing fully to Peugeot international standards.

No less than Peugeot’s Regional Sales Director, Vincent Comyn, was on hand to formally open the dealership. The EDI management team tasked to launch Peugeot Pasig, meanwhile, was headed by EDI Chairman Johnny Hernandez.

With the showroom’s opening, Peugeot has extended its reach to the Pasig-Libis automotive row. EDI has revealed that all of the succeeding Peugeot dealerships will be full service dealerships with complete sales, service and after-sales facilities.

“Green Valley Auto Sales Corp. is proud to be a part of the Peugeot network. With the opening of Peugeot Pasig, we look forward to being of service to a significant part of Metro Manila’s car enthusiasts. We are confident that with a trusted brand like Peugeot, we can significantly contribute to the growth of the automotive industry,” said Chris Trajano, president of Peugeot Pasig, at the opening.

“When we first announced the entry of Peugeot in the country, we mentioned that we shall be opening one dealership after another considering the interest of many to join the Peugeot family. Following the public’s warm reception of the French automotive brand’s initial offerings, EDI is fulfilling its commitment to bring the Peugeot ownership experience closer to customers all over the country. As you can see we are bringing it on” confidently declared Mr. Felix Mabilog, the auto industry veteran and icon who’s EDI president.

All four variants of Peugeot made available to the Philippine market – the 3008 crossover, the 5008 compact MPV, the 508 executive sedan, and the RCZ sports car – have garnered raves from the media practitioners who have driven them and have been received well by the public.

Peugeot Pasig is located along the E. Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue (C-5 Road) in Barangay Ugong, Pasig.

HARI Foundation helps in starting them young

HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) recently launched the Hyundai New Thinkers Summit with the Theme “The Power of Youththinking: Youthink, Youtalk, Youtransform”.

“Through HFI, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) commits to localizing Hyundai Motor Company’s global bid to promote a lifestyle of authentic caring and sharing. HFI aims to be an upstanding agent of change to empower Filipinos to lead productive and responsible lives and to contribute its share in building a strong and proud Filipino nation” stated Ms. Fe Agudo, the smart-looking heady lady president and COO of HARI, the exclusive importers and distributors of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines in a TV interview with Motoring Today after the summit.    

The Hyundai New Thinkers Summit is designed to be a premier local leadership and learning convention where outstanding high school students interact with industry experts and idea generators of the country. For its maiden year, the Summit invited 80 3rd year high school students from 40 pre-selected public high schools in Metro Manila and Regions III and IV to engage in activities and dialogue on Innovation and Climate Science.

The following major topics are slated to inspire and train the student participants to become future leaders and innovators, or “Hyundai New Thinkers.” These are: Climate Science; Youthink, which addresses the “i-Generation” or the new breed of young techies or digital natives; Youtalk, which tackles “Leadershift,” or the ability of the youth to take on leadership roles in society; and Youtransform which focuses on “Kin+Ethics,” or youth-inspired advocacy and campaigns for nation-building.

HARI Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.—way to go!

SM Land inks contract with STV

“We welcome the staging of the 9th Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo here at the SM Mall of Asia and we see its perfect synergy with what the MOA offers to all those who come here. Staging this motor show and test drive gives automobile enthusiasts the most convenient way of seeing all the brand new vehicles being offered in the market in a one-stop venue, just like coming to shop here at the SM Mall of Asia” said Mr. Dave Rafael, senior vice president of SM Land as he signed the contract to become a major cooperating sponsor of the country’s biggest outdoor motor show and test drive slated on November 7 to 10.   

Those who would come to the motor show would see up close and test drive the latest models of top automobile brands like Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan, Jeep, Isuzu, Chevrolet, Mazda, Kia and the come-backing Volkswagen. They would also be treated to live band performances, marching band exhibitions and regular raffles of valuable prizes from the participating automobile companies.  

Yes, we’re now on You Tube

The TV show Motoring Today is now on You Tube in response to those have had the 26-year old program as their “Sunday viewing habit” but sometimes fail to watch it when they decide to have out-of-the-house Sunday lunch.

A one-hour show is not that easy to upload, that’s why our tech guys started first with a few segments and will have the entire show in a few weeks time.

 Happy Motoring!!!

For comments email motoringtoday-star@stv.com.ph.