Photos by Alvin Uy
Motor Image Pilipinas recently disclosed that there will be a new member in the family of Subaru vehicles lined up to be introduced for model year 2012. Last December, its parent company Motor Image Singapore, the region’s distributor for Subaru vehicles invited members of the regional media to test-drive the new Subaru XV model as well as attend its regional launch in Thailand’s Motor Expo 2011, held at the Impact Challenger exhibition center located at Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.
The XV was unveiled to the international press and the public at the Thailand International Motor Expo by Glenn Tan, executive director of Tan Chong International (parent and holdings company of Motor Image) and group chief executive of Motor Image Group, together with Guinness Record holder and international stunt performer and motoring celebrity Russ Swift, who also flew in to attend the show.
According to Nicky Mariano, General Manger for Motor Image Pilipinas, the country’s exclusive distributor for Subaru vehicles, the new Subaru XV model will be one of their major product launches for 2012 and it will be launched at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS 2012) this year at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, this coming March 29.
Russ Swift will once again perform live in the four-day international motor show. Dubbed as the biggest motoring event in the country, Subaru will also have a bigger display in this year’s auto show. “All the vehicles that we will display at this year’s MIAS will be all new model year 2012 vehicles. The XV is a totally new car, we will be using a new engine and it will be the first time for us to use the new CVT transmission which will give us an edge as far as fuel economy is concerned. On top of the superb styling, it has a combination of fuel efficiency and good value,” Mariano added.
When asked what their target market is for the new XV, he said that they are targeting the young, urban buyers who need a nimble and able urban daily commute which may not necessarily be extensively used for long out-of-town trips but a kind of vehicle that has a good maneuverability. Aside from its flagship and first showroom on EDSA, Greenhills, Motor Image has set up dealerships in Alabang, San Fernando (Pampanga), Cebu and its soon-to-open showroom at the Bonifacio Global City.
Motor Image entered the Philippine market in 2006, and even as a niche brand, it took the automotive market by storm, growing its sales in high double-digit levels year on year, thanks to its aggressive brand marketing and the market’s demand for value-for-money performance cars like its highly successful Subaru Impreza and Forester models.
Soon, it began to introduce its bigger siblings, the Tribeca, Outback and Legacy models. The Subaru XV was developed as a crossover vehicle and as with all Subaru vehicles, the XV is a combination of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system with the latest generation of its boxer engine with continuous variable transmission (CVT), which ensures the vehicle to be planted on the road because of its low center of gravity that offers superb handling, plus responsive and smooth driving experience. Its bold fender flares and sleek profile are a glimpse to the new styling cues that are to be expected in the new generation of other models to come in model year 2012 and beyond.
Motor Image Pilipinas’ parent company is based in Singapore and is the Asian region’s distributor for Subaru.
With its strong regional presence and network, it has been actively participating in all the major auto shows in the region and its signature event is the Subaru Russ Swift Show, led by Guinness record-holder Russ Swift, whose signature maneuvers include its famous parallel parking, two-wheel driving and high-speed donut maneuvers that never fails to thrill the crowds. Mariano further added that Swift is confirmed to showcase his driving skills anew for Subaru and local fans at the MIAS.