Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
The NUVALI Evoliving Center served as the operations center for the 2016 Car of the Year – PH testfest held last October 25 and 26, 2016.
A total of forty-six (46) vehicles were put through their paces in search for this year’s best of the best. As required by CAGI test guidelines, the qualitative (consumer) testing was done on public roads and used predetermined consumer metrics such as ride, fit, and feel. On the other hand, the quantitative (technical) testing which involves GPS-based hardware to measure acceleration, braking, and handling, was done in a secured area blocked off to the public and guarded by NUVALI security.
Day one was an assortment of small to mid-sized vehicles. Categories tested were the sub-compact cars (Chevy Sail, Nissan Almera, Suzuki Ciaz, Tata Indigo, Toyota Vios and Yaris); compact cars (Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf); mid-sized cars (Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Subaru Levorg); and the MPVs (Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Ssangyong Rodius, Toyota Innova).
Day two was allotted for the more versatile categories: the compact crossovers (Kia, Soul, Mazda CX-3, Ssangyong Tivoli); the crossovers (BYD S7, Haima S5, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Ssangyong Korando), SUVs (Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Montero Sport and Pajero, Toyota Fortuner), and the pickup trucks vying for the 2016 TOTY-PH (Chevrolet Colorado, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Strada).
“With our streamlined processes and the cooperation of both the manufacturers and judges, we have already processed almost 70% of the entries qualified to vie for the 2016 COTY-PH and TOTY-PH titles. We shall finish the rest of the categories on our final test day scheduled for November 7, 2016,” said CAGI president Robby Consunji.
Established in 2004, the CAGI is the longest-running organization of motoring journalists in the country today. For the second year in a row, internationally respected auditing firm KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. is in charge of all the data handling during the testing process. This includes the gathering, tabulation, and up to the final audit and release of the official results. Also back this season is co-presenter Carmudi.com.ph, the online vehicle marketplace designed to make buying or selling your vehicle online as stress-free as possible. Carmudi.com.ph offers a lowest-price guarantee for both cash purchases and financing schemes.
Other sponsors include Ayala Land Premier, NUVALI, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, Motolite Batteries, El Cielito Hotel – Sta. Rosa, Manila International Auto Show, Worldbex International, and Speedlab. Official media partners include BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Auto Review, Turbo Zone, and JamesDeakin.ph.
The Car Awards Group, Inc. has members from the following media entities: Business Mirror, Cebu Daily News, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, Bulgar, Mindanao Daily News, AQ Magazine, Autocar.PH, C! Magazine, Motorcycle Magazine, Power Wheels Magazine, Top Gear Philippines, 2nerMagazine.com, Carmudi.com.ph, Ignition.ph, InterAksyon.com, Kotse.com, ManilaSpeak.com, MotionCars.com, Ride and Drive Phils., Speed by MP Turbo, SprocketPh.com, TessDrive.com, TimeAttackManila.com, Yugatech.com, DZMM, Mellow 94.7, Motoring sa DZME 1530 AM, The Motoring Page on Mellow 94.7 FM, ABS-CBN, Auto Review, Stoplight TV.
The 2016 COTY-PH and TOTY-PH shall be announced at the awarding ceremonies scheduled for late November 2016.