The year was 1998. The top-selling cars in the Philippines were the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. The Titanic had just sunk on the silver screen. Savage Garden was “Truly, Madly, Deeply” repetitive on the radio. The Toyota Tamaraw was probably the fastest way to traverse Edsa. The avenues Edsa had no MRT yet, but it was under construction. Thanks to that, you couldn’t use your car for one day of the week. Auto sales were feeling the pinch from the Asian financial crisis.
It was in this year that Motioncars.com started, initially as Motion Magazine.
Taking its inspiration from magazines like Road & Track and Automobile, the online publication’s first “issue” featured a test drive, new and upcoming cars, and a technology section. It added an innovative CarChart, containing specifications and prices for all locally sold new cars. Since then, the website has garnered its share of awards, with several acknowledgements for its writing and photography.
Motioncars has become a resource for car buyers, enthusiasts, and even car manufacturers. With 15 years’ worth of content, from test drives to features on safety and how-to tips on maintaining your vehicle, the site is a virtual archive and newsroom in one.
To expand its reach and content, Motioncars is now teaming up with Inquirer.net, the Philippines’ leading news portal. Motioncars cofounder Jason Ang said: “We’re excited to take Motioncars into the fast lane by joining forces with Inquirer.net. The Philippine Daily Inquirer has one of the best and most respected writing teams in the country. The creative potential of the new site is enormous.”
The new website will feature more news, test drives and articles from the Inquirer Motoring team of Jong Arcano, Aida Sevilla-Mendoza, Tessa R. Salazar, Charles E. Buban and Botchi Santos, as well as its pool of contributors Chupsie Medina, Kenneth del Rosario, Jeanette Tuason, Alvin Uy and Buddy Resurreccion.
The CarChart will be easier to navigate thanks to its new interface. Motioncars will also have a brawnier motorsports section, courtesy of writers William Herrera and Bong Castro.
Motioncars, now an Inquirer.net motoring site, can be accessed at: motioncars.inquirer.net