Motoring Today Column: HEV New Year

Dec 29, 2021

HEV New Year

It feels like 2022 will be a year for HEVs or hybrid electric vehicles.

The year 2021 saw the entry of more and more HEVs from various automakers.

Among the first to introduce HEVs locally with the Prius, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has added more hybrid vehicles to its local lineup first with the Altis and then the Corolla Cross.

Just before the year ends, Toyota added another HEV to its local lineup with the launch of the All New Camry.

The sole variant of its globally popular executive sedan made available in the local market, the All-New Camry HEV signals Toyota's shift to towards vehicle electrification.

Toyota said their HEV is an ideal entry point towards vehicle electrification.

"With no additional infrastructure and change in driving habits needed, customers can easily shift and immediately take steps towards sustainable mobility, " TMP added in the press statement announcing the arrival of the 2022 Toyota Camry HEV.

The new Camry's Hybrid System dynamically and seamlessly switches from gasoline engine to hybrid battery based on speed, acceleration, and driving conditions.

Aside from the HEV powertrain that features a2.5-liter 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine, theCamry 2.5 HEV arrives with the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense.

It also comes with an upgraded infotainment and convenience features highlighted by 9-inch Display Audio with Apple Carplay and Android Auto that runs on a 9-speaker JBL Sound System, a moonroof that tilts and slides.

"A favorite among customers worldwide, the Toyota Camry is well-loved for its powerful elegance that comes with quality, durability, and reliability," said TMP President Atushiro Okamoto.

"We have redefined greatness with this executive sedan. This is leadership that remains to be responsible," Okamoto added, explaining the decision in launching the Camry HEV variant.

Mitsu Safety Seal

In these Covid 19 times - and it doesn't seem to be ending soon - guaranteeing safety against the contagion has become paramount.

Government has set-and continues to set-guidelines and recommendation for businesses to resume or continue operating under the threat of the Covid-19 virus and its mutations.

This is all part of government efforts to reopen the economy and to restore public confidence heading towards what many refer to as the new normal.

This program is supported by theDepartment of Labor and Employment (DOLE), theDepartment of Health (DOH), theDepartment of Interior and Local Government (DILG), theDepartment of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DOLE issues a "Safety Seal" that "certifies that an establishment or institution strictly observes the minimum public health standards set by the government."

The DOLE Safety Seal also certifies that a business or service provider has "integrated with StaySafe.ph, the country's centralized contact tracing databank."

It is now imperative for business and services to assure clients and customers of greatest levels of safety against the contagion.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is the first in the aumotive sector to receive a "Safety Seal" from the DOLE.

In announcing this achievement, Takeshi Hara, MMPC president and CEO, said: "Mitsubishi has always put a premium on safety not just in the engineering of our cars but also in the way we conduct business. That is why MMPC, being the longest staying automotive company in the country, wants to do its part to be alongside Filipinos transitioning into the new normal.

"We make it a point to maintain only the highest standards when it comes to health and safety at the workplace. Through it we create a space with minimal hazards that enable positivity and productivity among our employees."

MMPC's Safety Seal covers its Sta. Rosa Plant and Parts Warehouse in the Greenfield Automotive Park-Special Economic Zone (GAP-SEZ) and will be valid for 6 months.

Mrt-7 Significance

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has just made a show of unveiling six brand-new trainsets, comprising a total of 18 train cars, from South Korea's Hyundai Rotem.

This is part of the first batch of 36 trainsets or total108 cars acquired by SMC for the MRT-7, a22-kilometer rail and road development starting inNorth Avenue, Quezon City and ending in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The unveiling was attended by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself.

During the event, SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang said: "MRT-7 is a vital cog in our long-term goal to develop an integrated and interconnected transportation system where people from all income levels can get around and beyond the metropolis, quickly and efficiently.

"More than an affordable, reliable, and efficient means to move people, MRT-7 signifies a turning point, in our resolve to promote equity and inclusivity across our cities. It's a vehicle for opportunities, equity, and better quality of life for Filipinos."

When completed and operating, the MRT-7 will connect with the LRT-1 and MRT-3, improving accessibility throughout Metro Manila and the nearby growth corridor of Bulacan.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)