Motoring Today Column

Jan 20, 2021

The first weeks following its soft-opening on the finalTuesday of 2020 saw an average of71,000 vehicles passing the 18-kilometer Skyway 3 even though only four lanes at most were in use, according to published reports.

Those are good numbers and confirm anectodal posts on social media from motorists ecstatic about their first experience travelling from Quezon to Makati or back in less than 30 minutes on the Skyway 3.

Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), expects these numbers to be even better with all seven lanes and the entry and exit ramps of the elevated tollway now in use following its formal opening last January 14.

Published reports quoted Ang as saying: "At full capacity, with 7 lanes available, Skyway can easily handle 50% of Edsa traffic, or 200,000 vehicles per day. Together with the existing Skyway 1 and 2, the Skyway system now has 38 kilometers of elevated expressway with 36 on- and off-ramp access points. This will greatly contribute to decongesting Metro Manila traffic."

SMC's Ang provides more good numbers to expect like a 19.4-kilometer, six-lane elevated tollway following the banks of the Pasig River that will connectR-10 in Manila to EDSA and C-5.

Ang is describing the Pasig River Expressway project that will decongest thoroughfares in Rizal, Cainta, and Marikina and can be completed by 2023.

SMC also has a good number of projects already past the drawing boards, ready for, or already being implemented, including an international airport in Bulacan that Ang intends to be linked to the Skyway system.

The best number that Ang touts may be the 30 million jobs that will be directly or indirectly generated by SMC's projects.

Not So Good Numbers

Some see the seemingly sudden move of government to impose new tariffs on the auto industry as just another instance of a cash-strapped administration heading back to a favorite cash cow.

Well some fear government may be milking the cow to death.

The vehicles sales numbers for 2020 are not good.

According to the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) , sales dropped 41 percent from87,169 vehicles in 2019 to 51,719 in 2020.

AVID attributed the fall in sales to the "lockdowns, limited economic activity and weak consumer demand."

Still, AVID, an association of 21 members representing 26 global brands, said the 15 percent increase in sales from November to December could be seen as a sign of recovery.

In a press statement, AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said: "Automotive was among the hard hit sectors in this pandemic and we continue to feel the impact as sales, after-sales and auto-related services remain lackluster. Despite the hurdles, the industry quickly adapted to the new normal, survived, and are finally seeing some signs of revival. However, we see more headwinds in the coming months."

AVID indicated that the additional P 70,000 tariff for imported passenger cars (PC) and P 110,000 for imported Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) would be passed on to consumers.

Lucky 6 for AC Motors

The AC Motors Automotive Group has under its umbrella five global car brands - Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, KIA, and Maxus.

And according to AC Motors Automotive Group president Antonio Zara, the group plans to launch at least six new models and open six company-owned showrooms in addition to franchised appoints.

The group also aims to "work towards achieving at least a 10% share in the automotive market by 2025," said Zara.

"We acknowledge that the local market still needs to recover from the devastating effects of an ongoing pandemic. But history has shown the resilience of our automotive market, time and again, through all manner of crises - and we are confident that this time will be no different," he added.

Toyota Discounts

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is starting the New Year by offering discounts and other freebies to make purchasing cars lighter and more enticing.

Until January 31, 2021, Toyota is offering up toP70,000 discount when you purchase aNew Vios, P60,000 on anInnova, and P50,000 on aFortuner, Corolla Altis, or Hiace Commuter Deluxe.

Toyota added that outright cash discounts as well as flexible all-in low down or low monthly schemes are also on offer for the Wigo, Avanza, and Rush.

Buyers can also check out the new Balloon Payment Plus, Toyota Financial Services PH's new finance product which offers light monthly payments, Periodic Maintenance inclusion, and guaranteed resale value on select variants of theVios, Corolla Cross Hybrid, New Fortuner, and New Hilux.

Geely's Seventh

Geely Philippines' network of dealerships has expanded with the opening of Geely General Santos. This makes it a lucky seven for Geely although Sojitz G Auto Philippines' (SGAP) says it plans to add 21 more dealerships in 2021.

Aside from the newest General Santos dealerships, Geely has outlets on North EDSA, Quezon Avenue, Cagayan de Oro, Lipa, Zamboanga, and Imus in Cavite.

The Geely dealership in General Santos is owned and managed by the Angcore Motor Group which has four decades of experience in distributing vehicles in Mindanao.

"As Geely started to get noticed and make headlines last year with its sales performance and good market reception, I believe this year would be better for the brand. We are pleased to be part of Geely's expansion in the country," said Angcore Motor Group president Tobi Ang said.

Happy Motoring!!!

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