Automotive
Qualcomm announces surprising partnership with Ferrari
For smart cars and the F1 team
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ferrari-rear.png)
Less than two months into the year, we’re already getting some strange crossovers. For example, Microsoft recently acquired Activision Blizzard, a strange pairing in the gaming industry. Now, we turn our eyes to the automotive industry. Ferrari has inked a surprising partnership with Qualcomm for a run of smart cars.
Qualcomm is calling it “a strategic technology collaboration” wherein the company will lend its smart automotive solutions to Ferrari’s production of smarter road cars. For its part, Ferrari will adopt the Snapdragon Digital Chassis for its lineup of vehicles which will include cloud-based telematics and features for safety and driving experience.
Both companies will customize the digital cockpit experience to cater to Ferrari’s discerning customers. However, because the partnership is still fresh, neither Qualcomm nor Ferrari have described what the digital cockpit might look like, or which cars will grab the new system. That said, it should be exciting to see how Qualcomm’s smart systems will look in the luxury brand.
Besides the application in road cars, the partnership will also allow Qualcomm to become a partner for Ferrari’s Scuderia Ferrari F1 team starting this year’s season. Snapdragon will feature in the team’s F1-75 single-seaters.
It’s definitely a surprising partnership. The biggest players in the smart car niche market aren’t usually from the usual slate of luxury brands, even if luxury brands are already outing smart cars into their lineup.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/gadgetmatch-366x120a-3-1.png)
Automotive
Ford Philippines’s retail performance rose to 55 Percent for H1 2023
Next-Generation models are at play
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gadgetmatch-20230601-next-gen-ford-everest-titanium-13.jpg)
Way to go, Ford!
The automotive company delivered a strong retail performance for the first half of the year in the Philippines. Thanks to its Next-Generation vehicle lineup, Ford Philippines’s retail sales rose 55 percent from a year ago to 13,838 vehicles.
The Next-Generation Ranger became Ford’s top-selling vehicle in the country, with sales growing by 25 percent year-on-year to 5,436 units sold. The addition of the Next-Generation Ranger Raptor also boosted retail performance, with sales reaching close to 600 units since its launch in late May.
Furthermore, the newly-launched Next-Generation Territory contributed to Ford’s strong sales as well. Like its predecessors, it’s still the leading small SUV in the Philippines, with sales increasing by 22 percent to 4,493 units. The Next-Gen model also breached the 2,500-unit mark in less than three months after its launch at the Manila International Auto Show.
Meanwhile, the Ford Everest continues to thrive in the competitive mid-size SUV segment. It delivered strong sales performance, growing by 503 percent from last year to 3,786 vehicles.
Enhanced ownership experiences
Ford is committed to improving the ownership experiences, giving the Next-Gen Ranger, Territory, and Everest with a five-year warranty. Moreover, Ford Philippines also introduced new service initiatives designed to provide ease and convenience in owning a Ford vehicle.
For instance, Express Service is offered to customers who prefer to have their vehicles serviced in a more efficient way than the usual maintenance. Pickup and Delivery, on another note, is available for those who are interested to have their vehicle serviced without interrupting their day. Participating dealers will pick-up the vehicle, service it, and bring it back to the customer’s preferred location.
“These milestones testify to our commitment to enhance the Ford ownership experience with vehicles and services that our customers need and deserve,” shares Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines.
“We celebrate these milestones with our customers who continue to patronize the Ford brand, as well as with our dealers for their partnership and commitment to enhance the customer experience. We are truly energized and excited for what’s to come for the second half of the year.”
![Honda City | Brio](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/new-honda-city-brio-collage-20230714.jpg)
Honda Cars Philippines has officially launched the latest editions of the Honda City and Honda Brio at the Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall.
Both the newest City and Brio variants feature improvements in their exterior and interior designs and the full suite of Honda’s safety features, including Honda SENSING.
The New City
The new Honda City gets sportier and more stylish with a crafted RS design front grille with RS emblem, as well as a new front and rear bumper with carbon-wrapped molding.
On the side are sharp horizontal character lines while exclusive to the RS variant is the new Side Sill garnish. The windshield shape has also been modified to reduce blind spots further.
The exterior is complemented by new LED daytime running headlights and fog lights available across all variants. The Honda City also gets 15- to 16-inch redesigned alloy wheels in Black Cut, Silver Cut, Silver paint Alloy, or Steel with cover.
For the interior, the RS gets full leather seats, new designs on the pedals, improved accents for its panels, and ambient lights for its instrument cluster.
Models also get an advanced 8-inch touchscreen display with improved LCD and a better reverse camera resolution. For entertainment, the new City can be connected to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In terms of performance, the City’s 1.5 DOHC i-VTEC CVT engine delivers a maximum output of 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque; the car also tested for 22.2 kilometers per liter for fuel efficiency.
The New Brio
Meanwhile, Honda’s standout compact hatchback is finally getting its second-generation model, with more enhancements to cater to first-time or alternative car buyers who seek style, comfort, and performance.
The latest Brio’s exterior gets a handful of updates, from its Piano Black RS design front grille, updated fog lights and garnish, and daytime running lights.
At the back are the tailgate spoiler and RS design rear bumper lower garnish and tail lights in the RS variants while the wheels have been updated to 14-inch Alloy and Steel or 15-inch Alloy.
Inside is a 7-inch touchscreen across all models; the new Brio variants also have enhanced audio controls and an assortment of connectivity options including Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RS variants get up to a 6-speaker setup, inclusive of two tweeters.
In terms of safety, all new variants get Honda’s G-CON technology, ABS, and electronic Brake-Force distribution, along with parking sensors.
Price, availability
Honda City
- 1.5 E CVT: PhP 973,000
- 1.5 S CVT: PhP 998,000
- 1.5 V CVT: PhP 1,073,000
- 1.5 RS CVT: PhP 1,128,000
Available colors
- Ignite Red Metallic (RS CVT, V CVT and S CVT)
- Obsidian Blue Pearl (new color; RS CVT and V CVT)
- Platinum White Pearl (RS CVT and V CVT, additional PhP 20,000)
- Taffeta White (S CVT and E CVT)
- Lunar Silver Metallic (S CVT and E CVT)
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic (all variants)
Honda Brio
- 1.2 S MT: 735,000
- 1.2 V CVT: 827,000
- 1.2 RS CVT: 853,000
- 1.2 RS Black Top CVT: PhP 863,000
Available colors
- Stellar Diamond Pearl (new color; RS Black Top CVT and RS CVT; additional PhP 20,000)
- Electric Lime Metallic (new color; RS Black Top CVT and V CVT)
- Phoenix Orange Pearl (RS Black Top CVT)
- Rallye Red (V CVT)
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic (RS CVT, V CVT, and S MT)
- Taffeta White (V CVT and S MT)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/190626-GadgetMatch-2019-All-New-Honda-BR-V-Exterior-Front-Bumper-2.jpg)
Seven months after its launch in the Philippines, the all-new Honda BR-V has become the car manufacturer’s best-selling SUV locally, with over 5,000 units sold to date.
The 7-seater SUV combines both a classy exterior and a comfortable interior, along with a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and advanced features to give owners great peace of mind.
The model comes in four variants and five color options ranging from PhP 1,090,000 for the 1.5 S manual transmission to PhP 1,390,000 for the 1.5 VX CVT with Honda SENSING.
Some of the SUV’s distinct features are its 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats for the higher end variants, a larger cargo area, one-touch tumble second row seats, height and steering wheel adjusters, and a 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen display.
The Honda BR-V’s engine has a maximum power of 121 PS (6,600 rpm) and maximum torque of 145 Nm (4,300 rpm), making it an ideal vehicle for one’s next road trip, no matter the road conditions.
In terms of safety, owners get Honda’s entire suite of advanced and intelligent safety features, like its LaneWatch Camera, Walk Away Auto Lock, Hill Start Assist, ABS and EBD, and more.
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