Motoring Today Column

Dec 30, 2020

The year 2020 will certainly be a year to remember.

A global pandemic virtually stopped the world from turning. Communities were locked down. Economies ground to a halt. Many industries and businesses were forced to shutter.

Like much of the rest of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic also directly affected the local automotive industry.

For a time, everything stopped. Dealerships closed. No one was selling vehicles. But then as restrictions meant to flatten the curve of infections eased, dealerships reopened-under strict health protocols- car assemblers and distributors resumed operations.

And like everyone else, the auto industry learned to live with the Covid-19 contagion still spreading.

To say that 2020 was a difficult should be the understatement of the year.

It was certainly an unprecedented one. No one could have predicted the lockdowns to happen, even as we heard reports of a strange and deadly illness spreading in China and then in many parts abroad.

The year started with optimism even with the Taal eruption affecting some dealerships. Sales were relatively good. The economy was doing well.

Then the Covid-19 spread to our shores prompting the lockdowns, the declaration of Community Quarantine restrictions, soon Enhanced, later Modified, and of late General.

How the auto industry reacted to the lockdowns deserve acknowledgement and commendation. All came to the aid of government, both national and local, the medical frontliners, the communities-those hit hardest by the lockdowns.

Even as work from home became the norm for many in the industry, automakers and distributors volunteered vehicles and staff, even gasoline, to transport medical front liners and supplies with public transport suspended.

Many organized or participated in food donation drives to provide food packs to frontliners and relief goods to sections of the community which lost livelihoods.

And while on quarantine restrictions, the auto industry worked hard to prepare for the eventual resumption of operations, the loosening of restrictions, resuming the business of selling cars and the servicing of vehicles as safely as can be.

Members of the local auto industry proved resilient, resourceful, responsible. And there's no doubting that they had set the stage for a strong revival in the New Year.

And if there is a silver lining to the dark cloud that was Covid-19, it's the launch of a great many excellent sedans, pickups, SUVs, MPVs, crossovers, vans, etc. of all sizes and price points, all made more accessible and more affordable.

If one had the wherewithal, 2020, at least the latter part, may have been the best time to buy that dream car.

It was no doubt a difficult, indeed a transformational, year for public transport sector.

Many predict that much of what symbolized the year 2020 - the wearing of face masks, the face shields, social distancing - would still be with us in 2021.

Even more believe that 2020 will be remembered for many changes the Covid-19 brought - forced upon us or by deliberate plan -in motoring and in mass transport.

These include the EDSA Busway, bikes for personal mobility, more bike lanes, cashless toll collection, MotoTourism, forced shift to modern PUVs, more online transactions with LTO, LTFRB, etc.

The year that was will also be remembered for how many in the private sector stepped up to help government in the fight against Covid-19 and in helping front-liners.

It was also heartening to witness how government agencies, in partnership with the private sector - the DPWH should have special mention - were not fazed by the pandemic, and instead took advantage of the lockdowns to fast-track road, rail and other infrastructure projects.

The DOTr, the LTO, and the LTFRB noticeably took advantage of the quarantine periods to advance plans to modernize and rationalize our mass transport system.

The Light Rail Transit systems and the PNR did not stop - but even hastened - projects to extend their reach, replace and rehabilitate aging tracks, equipment and facilities.

A subway system is now off the drawing boards and into implementation. Work towards establishing a high speed Makati to Clark Airport train is on the fast track.

All these make us optimistic all that was accomplished or started in the year that was in motoring in the time of Covid-19 will bring about a New Year of more efficient, safer, comfortable commute, and more importantly a more enjoyable, fun and, yes, Happy Motoring!

Happy New Yaris

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) wrapped its year of new vehicle launches with the introduction of the a refresshed Toyota Yaris.

Said Elijah Marcial, TMP vice president of marketing services: "It's been a jam-packed year for Toyota this 2020. But we've got one last exciting model this year that we're sure many Filipinos will enjoy."

Toyota said the new Toyota Yaris sports an aggressive redesigned front grille that gives it a commanding and wide stance, flanked by new LED fog lamps across all variants.

The 1.5 S CVT variant features LED head lamps paired with new Daytime Running Lights (DRL) as well as synthetic leather seats.

The uprated Yaris also sports newly designed 15-inch two-tone machine-finish alloy wheels across all variants.

All Yaris variants also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and synthetic leather seats for the 1.5 S CVT variant.

Marcial said the Yaris should appeal to many married professionals in their mid to late 30s looking for a modern fun-to-drive vehicle that offers the great cargo space a hatchback offers.

The SRP for the 2021 Yaris starts at P973,000.

One Last Kia Surprise

Heading into the New Year, Kia Philippines exercised its Power to Surprise one last time in 2020 with the opening of the Kia BGC showroom in Taguig.

"The opening of the Kia BGC showroom is a firm testament on Kia Philippines' aggressive stance towards reaching the market further. As seen during these trying times, the brand is not resting on its laurels-and has shown its strong capability to provide more for the customers," said Kia BGC Vice President Bob Palanca.

Located at 938, 28th Street in Bonifacio Global City, the Kia BGC showroom boasts the potent line-up of Kia models-from the highly-efficient pocket rocket-Picanto to the main entrée Stinger four-door sports car.

Kia said the BGC showroom is among eight new facilities opened this year to secure a firmer grasp of the local automotive market.

Happy Motoring!!!

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