The All New 2013 Ford Focus

I received a courier today from LBC. It's a brochure for the all new 2013 Ford Focus. This new design has been launched here in the Philippines in the second half of 2012. In fact there was even test drive on the new model at The Fort Global City where you can test their auto parallel parking feature and you can get yourself video'd.

The Ford Focus brochure came with an offer on 1 year complementary scheduled service plan where Ford will take care of the servicing of the Focus for a year. Now that's a neat  offer and can save you about 10kPhp assuming their service cost for every 6 months is about 5kPhp. Following this, I wonder how they got my mailing address.

I like the new design of the Ford Focus and it is a huge lift from the previous one. It's about time there is a new fresh alternative to the macho Chevy Cruze', curvy Hyundai Elantra, confused Honda Civic and old age Toyota Corolla Altis. I browsed the internet for the reviews of this new model and it has gotten good reviews. Carbuyer.co.uk says " fantastic to drive, brilliant line of engines, plenty of gadgets", at least for the hatchback version.



Caranddriver.com ranked the all new Ford Focus sedan number one besting over the Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze and Volkswagen Jetta. Below is the summary of their pros, cons and verdicts.

The Ford Focus 1.6L Trend model I think will be a good choice considering its 1.6 liter enginer, 6 speed with power clutch plus all the gadgets. It can easily best its competition on fuel economy and features.

2013 Toyota Corolla Altis

We have seen the new Honda Civic this year which is a refresh on the front facia and rear. It has an econ feature that tells if you are wasting fuel.  Here is the link for Honda Philippines. The rear looks like that of the Mercedez Benz C180.  There is one comment that the Civic's front does not "rhyme" with its rear. They don't connect.

Launched also this year is the new Ford Focus with great features. It boast of the automatic parallel parking feature.





I am eager to find out what will be the new Toyota Corolla Altis. I found these images for the upcoming Altis that will be released in 2013. Images care of this website.

The designs have greatly improved and definitely better that the current model. It has the genes of the new Camry. I have been waiting for Toyota to get its design roots from where Lexus is and its about time. I hope they bring this new Toyota Altis with 5-6 speed A/T with the dual VVTI 1.6liter engine. That should be worth waiting for next year.

Shell Fuel Nitro

The minute I arrived at home from driving my wife to work, I wanted to write about this new Shell Fuel +Nitro. I am a patron and longtime user of this local petrol fuel brand. If I am not mistaken I have been using their fuel products for more 10 years now. Well just a few days ago, I was running on empty on our Mazda 2 HB. Unfortunately the nearest preferred gasoline station was a bit far and with the traffic, I may not be able to make it. The nearest then was the Shell gas station.

Earlier, Shell has introduced their Shell Fuel Save product. There was a lot of fuzz about it and the fuel you can save. Anyhow, I asked for the Shell Fuel and the attendant offered me the new Shell Fuel Nitro+ where they have a promo at that time. The Shell Fuel Nitro+ was the same  price as the Shell Fuel save. Convinced, I had the car filled with the nitro fuel.  As I drove off, I noticed a quicker acceleration but I disregarded it till today.

It was the usual drive of 24 kilometers of traffic and I am always light on the accelerator I felt this drive today the difference in acceleration on our small hatchback. The engine power and pull is different. With the same light foot on the accelerator pedal, I was speeding up faster. I was delighted and tempted to zoom the Mazda 2 if only there was no heavy traffic. It would be a good experience to try the fuel on long trips. I am sure the difference will be significant. I will try it on next out of town trip. Meanwhile, I recommend you try Shell's Nitro fuel products.

Car Insurance Cheapest I have canvassed

One of the major expenses if you own vehicles are the car insurance.  With Ondoy and recent earthquake calamities motor insurance is a must to protect your vehicles. The motor insurance should include acts of nature (AON) as standard, which was prior to these incidents, was given for free. I had my honda civic motor insurance with free AON, the year was 2008. Typhoon Ondoy was 2009, and now AON is being charged as additional in the motor insurance premium.

I took time to really scout for a good  and cheap car insurance policy. I checked the web (the likes of tsikot)and mostly inquired thru emails.  Actually the insurance companies really responded back with my email inquiry.

I evaluated at least 4 insurance companies.  I ended up buying from BPI MS Insurance considering primarily they have the least cost per  1000 peso car value insured. I did not go that far comparing features and freebies plus, ease of claims. BPI MS had the best in terms of premium versus car value. The following are the list of insurance companies in order of best to the least  in insurance car value

1. BPI MS Insurance

2. Mapfre

3. Malayan