Year-end review: the biggest Philippine automotive news in 2014

The year 2014 is sure to be one of the most memorable years for the Philippines, especially for the car industry which is expected to reach its target of 300,000 car units sold. Carmudi has summarized the biggest Philippine automotive news that has marked this memorable year.

10. Carmudi reaches Philippine shores

Carmudi, the premier online vehicle marketplace, began operating in the Philippines in January. With the vision of helping Filipino car buyers and car dealers negotiate through their online platform, Carmudi is now the country’s number one vertical search platform for all types of vehicles- cars, motorcycles and commercial types. To date, the site has over 20,000 vehicles online from all over the country.

9. Filipino made super car Aurelio

Factor Aurelio Automobile took the country by surprise by introducing the Aurelio, the first Filipino made supercar in the summer of this year. The Laguna-based firm sells this Lamborghini Aventador- Ferrari 458 Italia inspired car at around P1.6 million. The Aurelio is equipped with a 2.0 liter Mitsubishi 4G63T turbocharged engine which packs 457 horsepower and can reach 300 kilometers per hour.

8. Hulidap in EDSA

A viral photo captured several cops allegedly trying to abduct a passenger of an SUV right in the middle of EDSA. It turns out that more than ten police officers were found to be behind the incident. The daylight crime enraged thousands of netizens who were fast to react to the topic and were furious about the behavior of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The case is currently being heard in court.

7. The death of Enzo Pastor

June 12, 2014 marked the death of one of the most celebrated racing figures in the Philippines- Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor. The controversy about his death heated up as investigators found probable cause for Pastor’s wife, Dalia, to kill the renowned race champ. Enzo was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Quezon City on a Thursday night. Likewise, the case is still under investigation.

6. Maserati driver vs. MMDA officer

The name Jospeh Russel Ingco made headlines and even popped up on the trending topics of several search engines known as the “Maserati driver”. Ingco was involved in a scuffle with MMDA constable Jorbe Adriatico who appeared to have been beaten up (blood running from his broken nose) after a confrontation with the Maserati Ghibli driver. According to Adritico, he apprehended Ingco for several road violations. Joseph Russel claimed that the MMDA personel was simply trying to extort money from him. Both sides have filed cases against each other. The latest development is that Ingco’s driver's license has been revoked by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Binay camp and the “luxury” Mitsubishi Delica

5. Binay camp and the “luxury” Mitsubishi Delica

The word war between Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Antonio Trillanes took a “funny moment” when someone from the Binay camp mistook the Mitsubishi Delica for a “luxury vehicle”. An attorney of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), where Binay stands as one of the heads, accused Trillanes of “affording eight luxury vehicles”, four of which are Delicas- a phased out van. Based on Carmudi’s database, this second hand people carrier has an average price tag of P450,000.

4. All new Isuzu Mu-X arrives in PH

Car enthusiasts in the Philippines were elated when Isuzu introduced its newest flagship SUV- the Mu-X. However, it also raised questions about whether this will be the end of the beloved Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV), the Isuzu Crosswind. The dynamically designed Isuzu Mu-X runs on a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with VGT. Under its hood is a powerplant that is able to produce 136 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. It is also loaded with safety features from ABS, EBD, BA, ESC and even a Traction Control System (TCS).

3. Release of the all-new Ford Everest

This towering midsize SUV from the great American brand has once again reached great heights with the expected release of the Ford Everest 2015 next year. With the promise of it being “one of the toughest” in its segment, it is sure to be one of the cars that will make splash months from now. Some of the notable features it will have are a Torque on Demand four-wheel drive system and a Terrain Management System for better road traction. It has also been made taller with a 225-mm ground clearance and a 800-m fording depth capability. Under the hood, Ford said it will have three optional powertrains: a 2.0 liter EcoBoost with twin scroll turbo, a 2.2 liter 4-cylinder Duratorq and a 3.2 liter Duratorq 5 cylinder turbo diesel.

2. New license plates

Starting next year, four-wheeled vehicles in the Philippines will be required to use the new standardized license plates with the “ABC-1234” scheme, instead of the previous three-letter, three number plates. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has pegged the replacement cost of these new plates at P450 via one transaction that will include a vehicle registration renewal. The outgoing "ABC-123” vehicle registration scheme was first implemented in 1981 and has been around for more than 33 years.

1. Toyota Vios cup

The beloved racing series was one of the most followed events in the automotive scene in 2014. With stars lining up to be Vios racers and a grand looking 30-plus car grid in McKinley West in Taguig, the cup was surely a memorable event not to miss. Surprisingly, 15-year old Luis Gono stole the overall title from erstwhile series leader Jason Choachuy. Paulo Rafael Subido of Top Gear Philippines also won the media trophy in Toyota’s car, extensively promoting the bestselling Vios. -- # Cover Photo from Mikko David /CAGI