Category: News

Supercar maker and F1 champion team McLaren has confirmed that the production of their “entry-level” McLaren 12C would come to an end soon as they shift their focus to the successor, the McLaren 650S. Though production comes as sudden news for some, the new car will in many ways be similar to the 12C, and then some:

McLaren also told us there’ll be a bit of a tech transfer between the two cars. “McLaren has always believed in continual development — a trait we have inherited from our racing roots. A range of developments seen on the McLaren 650S will be made available to existing 12C customers to further enhance the driving and ownership experience, and additional options introduced on the 650S will also be made available for 12C models.

The Manila International Auto Show started earlier today (and we’re there!) and will run until Sunday, showcasing some of the newest vehicles from various car manufacturers.

Volvo will be there to feature exciting models like the crossover SUV XC60, shown above. The elegant and fun V40 will also be there, along with its more rugged twin, the V40 Cross Country.

Last but definitely the most crowd-drawing in this list is the Polestar C30 R-Design, Volvo’s tuned option for the C30 that puts it right where Volkswagen’s Golf GTI and Audi’s A3 tread. If you’re not familiar with Polestar, they’re a Swedish racing company and they’ve been racing Volvos since the mid nineties.

We will be at the Manila International Auto Show! Our booth will be at the main hall right beside KIA. If you’re a regular viewer of the show, or a frequent reader here on our site, or even just another motoring enthusiast, feel free to drop by!

We hope to post photos from this event once they’re ready. If you a photo you’d like to share with us and our readers, just leave a comment.

Mitsubishi is suiting up for growth in the Philippines. Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC of Japan) has recognized the continued growth of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) and intends to fully utilize it to strengthen its position in the Asian and ASEAN markets.

They have acquired a 21-hectare manufacturing plant in Greenfield Automotive Park in Sta. Rosa Laguna that used to be operated by Ford Motor Company Philippines.

Aside from more jobs and opportunities in the local industry, this could also mean one great thing for us motoring fans: even more of Mitsu cars in the Philippines!

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines prepares for expansion of Philippine motorization

MMPC acquires manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa Laguna.

Recognizing the sustained growth in the economy and the coming age of motorization in the Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) acquires the 21-hectare closed manufacturing plant of Ford Motor Company Philippines situated in Greenfield Automotive Park in Sta. Rosa Laguna.

The acquisition of the plant is part of Mitsubishi Motor Corporation’s (MMC of Japan) strategy to further strengthen MMPC’s role of expanding sales and production capacity which is part of its new stage of growth mid-term plan until the end of 2016 fiscal year. MMC has recognized MMPC’s strong performance in the Philippines with its continuous growth in spite of the increasing market competition.

MMPC managed to establish new records in its operations last year when it celebrated its 50th year of continuous operations in the country. MMPC achieved total sales of 43,176 units last year, breaking the previous sales record of 36,533 units established in 1996. This sales performance garnered MMPC a total market share of 20 percent while also establishing its 7th consecutive growth since year 2006.

MMPC is looking forward to the new Philippine government auto policy which is aimed at strengthening the local auto manufacturing operations to make it competitive against other Asian and ASEAN countries. Strengthening the auto manufacturing operations through this new auto policy, will eventually provide huge job employment opportunities not only to car assemblers, but also to the industry related companies and businesses such as first, second and third tier suppliers.

The Philippines, in spite of its new record sales achieved last year of around 212,000 units, is still far behind Thailand and Indonesia in terms of auto market sales, but is projected to rapidly grow in the coming years given its close to 100 million population.

Currently, MMPC’s 18 hectare plant is located at the growing residential area of Cainta, Rizal and has a capacity to produce 30,000 units annually. Last year, MMPC has produced around 15,000 units given its existing completely knocked down (CKD) models such as the L300, Adventure and Lancer EX. MMPC plans to relocate to this new site and start vehicle production by January 2015.

Mr. Hikosaburo Shibata, MMPC President and Chief Executive Officer said that “The acquisition of the Sta. Rosa factory will further strengthen our assembly operations, utilizing heavy stamping machines, advanced equipment and facilities engineering that will support MMC’s business objectives for the new mid-term business plan.”

MMPC prepares for Philippine Motorization; Acquires Ford Plant | Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation