AutoDeal Weekly News Recap May 16-20: a rundown of the last 120 hours

We’ve published a number of local and foreign automotive news for the last 120 hours. In case you were too busy last week, here’s a recap of the latest news in the automotive industry.  

Local News Recap

First up, we’ve published our first ever video car review featuring the Volkswagen Touran. During our time with Volkswagen’s MPV, we look at how the Touran combines practicality and functionality. To know more about it, watch our review here.

On the other hand, Honda PH surprised the auto industry as the company launched the updated 2016 Accord. The new Accord features a refreshed exterior and an upgraded interior.

The Philippine automotive industry managed to maintain its positive momentum as sales went up by 30% last April 2016. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) released this report.

The 2015 Car of the Year Philippines – the Mazda2 – is on display at the 25th Trans Sport Show at the SMX Convention Center.

In terms of traffic related news, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the intersection of Quezon Avenue – Roosevelt Avenue will be closed starting May 21, 2016 at around 10 a.m. to give way to the construction of the Skyway Stage 3 project. Affected motorists are advised to use other alternate routes.

MMDA has also approved the proposal of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte to enforce a 60 km/h speed limit for vehicles driving through EDSA. Moreover, the agency collaborated with Cebu City government in developing a real-time traffic monitoring website. MMDA is also set to hold a Road Safety Forum in May 23, 2016 in order to address the increasing road deaths in the Philippines.

For the local motorsports, the 2016 GT Radial FlatOut Race Series has returned to the 3.7 km Batangas Racing Circuit for its 3rd round.

Foreign News Recap

The main highlight of last week’s foreign news would be the resignation of Mitsubishi CEO and President Tetsuro Aikawa amidst the brand’s admission of falsifying data to improve fuel economy in print.

Ford recently acquired a US patent that would enable their small-displacement engines to emit artificial noises to make the engine sound like it has more cylinders. In addition, Ford announced that there are 6,506 individuals who are waiting in line for the first 500 units of the 2017 GT model.

In line with the Volkswagen’s summer tour called the “Enthusiast Show Fleet,” the German automaker revealed custom versions of the Golf 1.8T, Golf GTI, Golf R, Jetta GLI, and Passat.

Hyundai is set to open its newest brand experience center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The automaker plans to open it early next year. 

Toyota is looking on how to make better batteries as the researchers at the Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) discovered a way to harness Magnesium as an alternative.

Subaru has revealed a teaser video of the STI-tuned Levorg which previewed a sharp-looking fascia while Nissan has created a full-scale replica of the Juke using more than 2,000 pieces of paper. Moving on to the German brand, the 2017 BMW 2-Series models are going to have the latest Twin Power Turbo engines. 

Lastly, Google has patented a technology dubbed as the sticky car hoods in an effort to make their autonomous cars safer.