Car Features - The Pops and Flops of 2016

If 2015 was a huge year for the automotive industry, this year would be exciting times since more cars were sold and two major motor shows graced the country (despite the fact there are two automotive groups locally. With huge demand from consumers thanks to a growing economy plus the shift to Euro 4 emissions, lots of new cars were made available despite the transition of a new administration.

For this article, we would be looking towards new releases in the form of a new model, nameplate, engine upgrade, or some trim level and we would gauge if these were hits or misses. For this year, we would pick at least five per category and gauge how they were successful or not.

Car Features - Cars Canadians Can Buy That Filipinos Can't (And Vice Versa)

9.985 million square kilometers and a population of just 35 million people with a location just near North Pole, Canada has a lot of space but a few people. Since this used to be a British colony, you may expect that vehicle options are similar (it gained independence in 1867) to UK, but rather it has some similarities with USA although some models are present while some are not.

As mentioned above, vehicle brands are similar and some are assembled up there for export such as The Detroit Three and Toyota. We do get Canadian assembled vehicles for sale locally but they are the minority. No federal laws for safety or vehicle emissions, unlike their neighbors down south. And if you're wondering, Canada does not have any car manufacturer from France present despite French being a lingua franca there and was colonized back then.

Our series for today features a former British colony (and the fourth this month) whose vehicles are available there and the other way around.

Car Features - Cars Indians Can Buy That Filipinos Can't (And Vice Versa)

With 3.2 million square kilometers (including some outlying islands) and a population of 1.2 billion people, India makes an interesting market for most brands since the economy is booming plus people are graduating from their motorcycles and are now buying four wheeled vehicles. What used to be a closed and restricted market is now one of the major players in the world.

Although some manufacturers have to conquer the market (such as Kia and Mazda), a lot had made a dent in this large market. The Philippines has Tata and Mahindra and receives exports such as the Hyundai Eon and Suzuki Alto. Our road conditions are nearly the same, making it one of the huge similarities.

In this series, we shall see the vehicles sold in this former British colony. This list includes items from Mahindra, Tata, and Maruti Suzuki, whose cars are available here. We will not be listing vehicles that were used to be sold locally (India has a number of old models sold alongside its newer counterpart) here.

Car Features - Cars Australians Can Buy That Filipinos Can't (And Vice Versa)

Australia (the country, not the continent) has 7.7 million square kilometers worth of land which translates to thousands of kilometers of roads for them to drive their automobiles there. Their market is varied although three major players (Holden from General Motors, Ford, and Toyota) eat up the majority of the market. No more car manufacturing there as the above mentioned manufacturers had pulled out assembly plants there.

With a population of just 23 million people, let us discover the vehicle options their market has (and what we don't get in return). Since numerous brands are available, we would focus on mainstream brands which leaves out luxury brands in this list.

So, let us check the vehicles offered at the Land Down Under. To remind you again our rules: to qualify for the what we get (and don't get), we factored in their market requirements as well if the vehicle is available in either RHD (Australia) or LHD (Philippines) to make things fair. Also, some vehicles sold by Holden are available outside AU as an Opel or Buick which aren't available in the Philippines, so these do not count.

Car Profies - Suzuki Kizashi (2012-2016)

2012-2016 Suzuki Kizashi

The Good: Fun to drive personality, cheap to buy

The Bad: Limited space at the back, struggles an identity crisis

The Say: Practical in size but fails to impress in any aspect.

Go For: 2.4
Avoid:

Price Range: P480,000-P660,000
Our Rating: ***

Related Review: Used Car Review - Suzuki Kizashi (2012-2016)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2012-2016

Car Features - Cars Singaporeans Can Buy That Filipinos Can't (And Vice Versa)

For those who don't know their history, Singapore used to be a part of Malaysia until they've bolted out and declared their independence. With 719.1 square meters, they do have numerous vehicle choices while having their efficient public transportation which moves the nation and despite a certificate of entitlement which gives you a right to purchase a car.

Despite the lack of parking space, let us discover what cars that their market get (and the ones they don't) and the other way around. Since numerous brands are available, we would focus on mainstream brands which leaves out luxury brands in this list.

Large SUVs aren't included here, which is popular around ASEAN but not there since space is lacking. So let's list down the cars here, so prepare for a short trip. Ok lah?