Toyota in Batangas Port; MSCC races rain or shine; U.S. Murano costs $33K

Toyota is among Port of Batangas’ top revenue contributors

TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) was recently recognized as the second top importer by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Batangas (POB) for the period January to July 2022.

The country’s largest automotive and mobility company remitted to the government a total of P16.46 billion in the form of duties and taxes. The amount is the second highest collected by the POB, contributing to the Port’s higher revenue performance versus the same period last year.

TMP operates with the POB for the importation of automotive products including various Toyota and Lexus vehicle models, multi-sourced parts for production, and service parts from the Asia Pacific region.

Moreover, the POB serves as a major gateway for TMP’s distribution of automotive products to Toyota dealerships in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

With the establishment of the 32-hectare TMP Batangas Vehicle Center (BVC), TMP processes the completely-built-up units (CBU) arriving from the nearby POB at a higher capacity and level of efficiency. While it is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and global Toyota standards and systems, the BVC’s proximity advantage contributes to quality assurance and sustainability.

TMP first vice president for Vehicle Logistics Aimee Josephine Lopez said the BOC has always been crucial in supporting the local automotive industry and TMP in its commitment to deliver quality products and services to Toyota customers.

“Process automation initiatives as well as the highly reliable port personnel continue to support Toyota’s operations through efficient customs processing and timely release of shipments,” Lopez added.

The BOC-POB celebrated its 65th founding year in August 2022 through an anniversary event where top locators and exporters were recognized for their support to the Port’s programs and endeavours.

MSCC races go on rain or shine

Round 2 of the MSCC Mazda Miata Spec Series happened last Saturday, August 27 at the Clark International Speedway amidst the threat of rain. Some 20 drivers put their skills to the test in the country’s first-ever one-make sports car racing series.

The MSCC Mazda Miata Spec Series features the latest-generation MX-5 roadster powered by a showroom stock 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine fitted with a custom exhaust developed by Drift Xaust. CUSCO sport coil overs and chassis braces extract extra performance from the suspension, while grip is provided by GT Radial tires and Rota wheels. Driver safety is ensured by a Sparco competition steering wheel, racing seat, harness, and safety net.

The MSCC Mazda Miata Spec Series is sponsored by Pilipinas Shell, GT Radial, and Rota Wheels.

U.S. Murano costs $33K

With eye-catching design and premium features, the 2023 Nissan Murano is on sale now with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $33,660.

Murano continues to offer peace of mind thanks to standard Nissan Safety Shield 360® on all grades, and has received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation (for the 2022 model).² In addition, Murano was recently named No. 1 in driver appeal among midsize SUVs in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

An impressive level of standard equipment is included on Murano, including LED headlights and taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control and NissanConnect® with an 8.0-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Autoâ„¢ connectivity.

Murano is offered in four well-equipped grades — S, SV, SL and Platinum — each available with a standard 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and front-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.

For the 2023 model year, Murano includes the new Nissan logo inside and out and two fresh exterior colors — Super Black and Deep Ocean Blue Pearl.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices¹ for the 2023 Nissan Murano: