Category: Motoring

Volvo Car Group reaches landmark safety milestone: one million cars with pioneering auto brake technology sold

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Recently, the sales of Volvo cars equipped with systems for automatic braking passed the one million mark – another milestone that confirms Volvo Car Group’s world-leading position within automotive safety.

Volvo Cars’ technology for automatic braking includes several world firsts: City Safety, which is standard and works at speeds up to 50km/h; Collision Warning with full auto brake; and Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake.

“Several recent reports state that our ground-breaking auto braking technologies help reduce the risk of being involved in a rear-end accident by more than 20 percent. One million Volvos with auto brake on the roads take us towards our aim that nobody should be killed or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Car Group.

Auto brake efficiency documented

The efficiency of Volvo Cars’ approach has recently been highlighted:

  • The benefits of the ground-breaking City Safety technology – featuring automatic braking in low speed situations – were documented in a 2011 IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) report, which stated a significant reduction in insurance claim frequencies.
  • A similar study in 2012 by the Swedish insurance company Volvia shows that Volvos equipped with City Safety are involved in 23 per cent fewer rear-end frontal collisions than cars without auto brake.
  • Findings by the Swedish insurance company Folksam show that City Safety reduces injuries by 64 percent for people in cars hit from behind on roads with a 50km/h speed limit. In situations in which City Safety has been activated but the crash has not been completely avoided, the injury reduction is around 40 percent.
  • The final 2012 report from the EuroFOT research projects concludes that a car with adaptive cruise control and collision warning cuts the risk of colliding with the vehicle in front on a motorway by up to 42 percent.

Focus on more support for the driver

Future Volvos will feature further improvements to existing safety systems as well as new solutions. The focuses of Volvo Car Group’s present research within auto brake technology include also making more systems efficient while driving at night. Upcoming solutions will also cover more objects and situations.

“With smart interaction and new advanced solutions we will continue to contribute to further helping avoid collisions from occurring. Moreover, in our most recent car models we have reduced moderate to severe injuries by two-thirds compared with the rate for the older car models. And we are working continuously on new solutions that will bring the figure down even further,” says Thomas Broberg.

Auto brake technology overview

How Volvo Cars’ present auto brake technology works:

  • With the standard City Safety, the car applies the brakes automatically if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front suddenly slows down or stops. The system is active at speeds up to 50km/h.
  • Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake is a ground-breaking technological solution. It can detect pedestrians who walk into the road as well as cyclists in front of the car, and warn the driver and automatically apply full braking power if the driver does not respond in time.
  • Collision Warning with full auto brake, active at all speeds, can help avoid collisions if the speed difference is 35km/h or lower. If the relative speed is higher the collision impact will be reduced. The brakes are applied automatically if the driver does not act in response to the warning when a rear-end collision with another vehicle is imminent.

Caltex stations help monitor rains and floods in Metro

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Automated Weather Stations in 18 Caltex stations share weather data online

When rain starts pouring, the thought of wading through floods or getting stuck in traffic worry people the most as they make their way home. But there’s help with near real-time data that anybody can access for free to avoid being stuck in traffic caused by floods.

In a project called Metro Weather, Caltex is helping people survive severe weather conditions by hosting Automated Weather Stations (AWS, photo above) in 18 Caltex stations out of 30 sites spread throughout Metro Manila.  Accurate weather data from the AWS can be accessed free at www.metroweather.com.ph or www.weatherlink.com/map.php.
Smartphone users can also download the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) application at www.mmda.gov.ph to get the twin benefits of traffic and weather data.

The AWS, located in flood-prone areas identified by the MMDA, collects and stores weather data that show, among others, intensity of rainfall that can indicate flooding. “The 18 Caltex-hosted AWS units, all maintained by the Caltex stations,  are part of Chevron’s commitment to public safety and environmental awareness,” said Raissa Bautista, manager of Policy, Gov’t and Public Affairs, Chevron Philippines Inc., the marketer of  high quality Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants.

This project is being implemented in collaboration with the other Metro Weather project partners namely the Manila Observatory, Globe Telecom, MMDA, and the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU).

Gear up for the rains

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Suzuki Philippines shares tips on how to stay safe when wet-weather driving.

For the past weeks, Metro Manila and nearby provinces experienced heavy rains that flooded major thoroughfares and submerged some vehicles. Floods pose danger to health and properties but damage to vehicles can be lessened, if not avoided, if proper preparation is made.

Suzuki Philippines, the only integrated motorcycle and automobile in the country, shares tips on how best to avoid damage to vehicles during the rainy season.

Assess the situation

Postpone going out in rough weather if there is a huge chance of flooding. If you cannot avoid it, know the terrain. Listen to the news or research the Internet. Find out if your destination is prone to flooding or not. Never drive through flood that is above the center of your tires as this will cause huge damage and can put you in danger if the flood gets deeper.

“If the vehicle gets submerged, immediately remove the battery terminal (positive and negative) to prevent damage to the ECU (Engine Control Unit) which serves as the “brain” of the vehicle”, Suzuki Philippines’ Service Supervisor Randy Santos said.

Move out

“If a motorist is trapped in a flood, he/she must get out of the unit and get to safety. Find higher ground away from the flood,” Santos shared.

Check your vehicle’s condition

Prior to any journey, all motorists should check their headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals are working properly. “Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls – steering, clutch, brake and accelerator – and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in the rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine,” he added.

All cars are suitable for the rainy season, but not all tires are. Motorists must check the condition of their tires before going on the road. Pressure of the tires must be checked and adjusted once a week or after a long travel.

Under inflation has immediate effects on vehicle handling (as well as fuel consumption), but its potential impact on overall safety and tire life are even greater. It results in premature and uneven tread wear on the outer edges. Under inflation also increases stress on the tire itself, through flexing and overheating, which can lead to structural failures such as tread separation.

Motorists should look for excessive or uneven tread wear in the tire, cracks, or bulges on the sidewalls or tread, chunking of the tread or any indication of tread separation, and signs of puncture, or nails, screws, glass, pieces of stone or any foreign object embedded in the tire to avoid any danger.  If any of these conditions are identified, motorists should immediately go to a tire specialist to have their tires checked.

Suzuki stressed that motorists should always take care of their vehicles whether it’s rainy or summer season.  ”Vehicles can achieve their highest performance if they are properly maintained and taken care of. It is important to visit automobile specialists for proper check up and maintenance of vehicles to ensure the motorists’ safety on the road, whatever the weather may be,” Santos said.

For more information about Suzuki Philippines and their services, please visit http://www.suzuki.com.ph/

Volvo PH offers Limited Edition Performance Package

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Performance-inspired styling through R-Design Elements and Polestar-tuned engines

Volvo Philippines unleashes a new breed of Volvos through a Limited Edition Performance Package on select Volvo models. Certain turbocharged and diesel variants of the Volvo S60, XC60 and XC90 have been upgraded with R-Design styling elements and Polestar-tuned engines, to offer even more value-laden Volvo Ownership experience.

Volvo Philippines proudly offers the Limited Edition Performance Package at no extra cost and without affecting the car’s warranty. For carefully selected variants qualified for the Polestar engine optimization, the tuning boost and the aesthetic R-Design styling additons are value-added features on already power-packed Volvos.

The engine software download developed by Polestar – Volvo’s official motorsport partner since 1996 – increases power and torque without affecting the car’s warranty, fuel consumption or emmission.

A new breed of Volvos

With the Limited Edition Performance Package, cars such as the Volvo S60 T6 AWD get an extra boost of power from 304bhp to 329 bhp and up to 480 Nm of torque courtesy of the Polestar engine optimization.

R-Design styling elements have also been added for a more performance-inspired look. The eye-catching rear diffuser complements the sporty sound and look of the dual chrome tailpipes. Sport pedals, sport exhaust tips and an 18” or 20” alloy wheels enhance the car’s visual volume – giving it a more individual look at any angle.

“We are very excited to be able to offer this to the market especially to the Volvo enthusiasts who have long known and appreciated the sleek, swift and sexy DNA of our cars. Driving it sends ripples of thrill and excitement through your spine and knowing you’re in one of the world’s safest, most intelligent cars just adds to the fun!

It is an entirely new specie from Volvo that you definitely have to experience,” enthuses Loi De Guzman, Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Volvo Philippines.

Racing Roots

Volvo has been active in motorsport as far back as 1928. For example, Volvo won the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) in 1996, 1997 and 2009, the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) in 1985, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in 1998 and in 2012, won the grand slam in Sweden’s “TTA – Racing Elite League”, with a clean sweep of the drivers’, team and manufacturers’ championships.

“We’re very proud of our strong reputation when it comes to safety and reliability while offering great performance in powerful cars. The knowledge gained from winning races and championships has allowed us to develop new and dynamic engines, powertrains, chassis and so on. Ultimately, this translates to a fun and rewarding drive for our customers,” explains Kevin Meeks, Vice President for Customer Services, Volvo Cars Asia Pacific.

Very recently, the Polestar Volvo S60 racing team has won a historical quadruple finish in the recently concluded Stockholm leg of the 2013 STCC. The historical 1-2-3-4 victory, led by Polestar Volvo S60 driver Thed Bjork and Robert Dalhgren, has also made Volvo clinch the lead in the manufacturer’s championship.

More power for your Volvo

The Polestar optimization consists of a software upgrade that the Volvo workshop installs. It’s a quick installation which can easily be done while the car is in for a service or tire change. What’s more, clients are assured that the factory warranty remains intact, without any alterations to the service schedule.

Also, the Polestar power optimization affects neither the car’s certified fuel consumption nor emissions during normal driving. All the changes Polestar make are tested and verified not to stress any component beyond its performance limits. With an optimized engine, an enhanced performance will be experienced especially in the mid-range where the added performance is most useful – for example when overtaking.

With the Limited Edition Performance Package, a bevy of sleek, smart, and strong Volvos are unleashed, trimmed with R-Design styling elements and powered by Polestar-enhanced engines. This is Volvo Philippines’ way of rewarding its clients with a value-packed ownership experience.  With racing DNA coursing through its circuits, these new Volvos are designed to thrill.

Experience the promise of an exhilarating drive mated with peace of mind, where more power is matched with world-renowned safety, where engineering ingenuity achieves aesthetic balance as Volvo Philippines continue to expand its dealer networks with Volvo Cebu, Volvo Bacolod, Volvo Iloilo and the recent additions of Volvo North EDSA and the soon-to-open Volvo Alabang.

Suzuki leads in affordability and design with all-new Alto 800

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People looking to buy their first car can drive home their new ride without spending big as Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH), the only integrated automobile and motorcycle company in the country, launches the all-new and very affordable subcompact car— the Alto 800.

Retailing at only P388,000.00 for the standard variant, owners get great value for their money as the all-new Alto 800 goes farther with  its 22.74 km/l average mileage, 11 percent more torque, and 15 percent more fuel-efficiency than the previous Alto.

SPH President Hiroshi Suzuki shares, “The launch of the Alto 800 in the Philippines underscores our commitment to bring fuel-efficient, comfortable, and affordable cars to this market.  We look forward to introducing more the Suzuki ‘Way of Life’ brand philosophy to the Filipinos by pioneering great-valued automobiles like the Alto 800.”