Motoring Today Column

Jul 25, 2018

One after another, news about turnovers and contract signing of multi million peso orders (related story in this column) of newly designed and modern public utility vehicles fill up websites, newspapers and evening newscasts.

The Department of Transportation is gung ho in its lead role in the government's Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP) as more from the business sector, specifically the automotive industry's engine suppliers and body fabricators get themselves deeply involved with more expressing interest in participating.

Although the present supply is barely making a dent into the prescribed demand, which by the way has been raised to five hundred thousand vehicles and not two hundred thousand as the government admittedly fibbed about, a lot of these modern vehicles have been fielded and many are already plying routes.

The question now is as the streets get more filled up by more vehicles, though new, modern with non toxic emissions, are the old, illegal fifteen year old and above rolling coffins still running and are alongside?

If so, no wonder the traffic gets worse by the day.

Gee whiz, is somebody watching over this?

Is the "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" campaign still being implemented or another government "ningas cogon"?

A full model changed has been undertaken on the country's top-selling passenger car, the Toyota Vios. And the Philippine motoring media came to the Okada Manila to watch its official unveiling.

Toyota Motor Philippines president, Satoru Suzuki led the executives of the country's top automobile manufacturing enterprise in distinguishing the all-new model from its very well-received successor, "The all-new Vios is packed with top-notch specifications and first-rate accessories, with its riding comfort complementing its sporty design. Most of all, it prides itself with a 5-star ASEAN New Car Assessment Program or NCAP rating with its advanced safety features. This remarkable car has almost everything the customer is looking for. Its signature quality, durability, and reliability remains unrivaled by any other brand or model, making it The Best In Its Class".

Toyota Philippines ' soft-spoken top executive added in his welcome speech, "Backed by our strong Toyota Value Chain, providing the best customer experience from purchase to ownership, until re-purchase, we are confident that the All-New Vios will continue to make its mark as the best-selling passenger car in the country" .

One of the first questions asked during the media conference that immediately followed its unveiling was whether the loyal followers of the Vios Cup races can look forward to see the all-new Vios in all its glory in the up coming staging this weekend at the Filinvest street circuit. In response to query we were apprised that we would have to wait for next series, as time would not permit any kind of racecar preparation.

We also learned from Suzuki-san that the first generation Vios, which was first introduced in the country in 2003, was previously manufactured inThailand and reached our shores as Completely Built Units (CBU). Realizing its potential and market acceptance, TMP decided to produce the second generationVios in its own manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna from 2007.

During the well-attended event it was also proudly announced by TMP that in the month of June 2018, Toyota achieved another momentous milestone-an impressive 1.5 million cumulative sales.

Congratulations to Toyota Motor Philippines.

Mahindra Modern Jeepneys totaling 1,000 units worth 2 billion pesos have been committed to join and support the government's Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program with the formal signing of the landmark deal betweenFelix Mabilog, president ofMahindra Philippines andDennise Trajano, managing director of EcoDyip, Inc. last Friday, July 20 at the Megatent in Libis, Quezon City.

During the signing ceremony the youthful top executive of EcoDyip, Inc. was quoted as saying, "His company is venturing into the local jeepney-bound commuter line and feels confident that the Mahindra T20 and Supro Modern Jeepney, which it has chosen as carriers are more than capable in meeting the requirements of the commuting public."

"Having tested the Mahindra T20 and Supro Modern Jeepneys on the road for days, I find the vehicle responsive, efficient and has good handling capabilities," Trajano says. "One advantage worth mentioning is its air-conditioning system which can provide comfortable cooling power even when the units are fully loaded," he added.

In a statement released during the event we learned that Mahindra/ Columbian Autocar Corp. has a modern and fully equipped Assembly Plant in a sprawling10-hectare complex at theLaguna International Industrial Plant (LIIP) inLaguna. It is capable of assembling more than10,000 units annually; a fact not lost onTrajano and EcoDyip Inc. when the decision to place the big order was made.

Furthermore, the media was apprised that the powertrain for theManhindra T20 and the cab and chassis for theMahindra Supro Modern Jeepneys are imported from India but the body, flooring, roof, leather (or vinyl seats) and other customized modifications are fabricated in the Philippines.

Enhancing the milestone event, the first 100 units were turned over right after the well-attended signing ceremonies.

With members of the country's motoring media numbering 30 in tow composed of editors, reporters, cameramen, etc., Isuzu Philippines conducted a fuel performance run involving 3DMax pickups and 4 mu-X SUVs.

The exercise was aimed to demonstrate the vaunted fuel performance of the Isuzu vehicles to the motoring media and at the same time give the journalists a hands-on driving and riding them.

From the documented experience the following impressive figures came out.

A. Mu-X

1. 23.28 kilometers per liter

2. 18.51 "

3. 18.26 "

4. 17.37 "

B. D-Max

1. 22.59 kilometers per liter

2. 21.35 "

3. 19.27 "

The final destination of the participants was theThunderbird Resort and Casino inLa Union where the latest upgraded iteration of the Isuzu D-Max was given an exclusive media unveiling.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph