Motoring Today Column: No TNVS Takers?

May 25, 2022

No TNVS Takers?

Many would like to think that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) would be deluged with applications for the more than 7,870 Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots it made available recently, 7,000 of which would be for Metro Manila.

The LTFRB began accepting applications for the new TNVS slots last April 30.

However, the LTFRB again issued a call for TNVS applications which it said it would accept on a first-come, first-served basis until June 17, 2022.

The reason given for the new call is that many of the initial applications it received were rejected for lack of complete requirements.

Some observers note that the renewed call for applications may indicate lukewarm interest for operating as TNVS partner of Transport Network Companies (TNCs) such as Grab.

Welcoming New President

We'd like to welcome the new president of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) Noburo Murakami.

Murakami-san replaces Hajime Koso who many in the motoring media consider a very good friend.

After seven years at the head of Isuzu Philippines, Hajime Koso leaves behind a company that is the No. 1 truck brand in the country.

While promising to maintain Isuzu's No. 1 truck brand status in the country, Murakami hinted at a green future for Isuzu Philippines.

At the event formally announcing his taking over the company from Koso-san, Noburo Murakami said that sustainability is no longer a choice for IPC but rather a social responsibility.

Isuzu must put priority into protecting the environment without compromising customer success in continuing to do business in the future, he added.

Sustainability should not only be reflected in Isuzu products but also in changes in values, operations, and the way the company will do business moving forward, he said.

Murakami promises to instill in Isuzu team members and dealer network a shift in mindset and priority towards a 'Greener' era for IPC.

Murakami joined Isuzu Motors Limited in1995, and rose through the ranks to become IML General Manager for International Sales before being posted to the Philippines.

Murakami was also assigned as vice president ofIsuzu North America Corporation (INAC) as vice president in 2014 before being promoted to president and CEO of the company from 2018 to 2020.

New Xpander Arrives

Welcome news to Mitsubishi fans should be the arrival of the New Xpander.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines touts the New Xpander as a bolder reimagining of the best-selling seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle with more advanced design and features that combine luxury and comfort found in larger SUVs.

During the local unveiling of the New Xpander, MMPC President and CEO Takeshi Hara expressed confidence its best-selling MPV will tap into the adventurous spirit of buyers and re-excite them to hit the road and go outdoors.

The New Xpander certainly has an outdoorsy appeal that is highlighted by Mitsubishi further raising its already class-leading ground clearance to 225mm.

Powered by a 1.5-liter MIVEC DOHC 16-valve engine that generates 103 horsepower and 141 Newton-meters of torque, the New Expander is now available at all Mitsubishi dealerships.

Prices start at P1.03-million with five color options made available White Pearl, Graphite Gray, Black, Red, Sunshine Orange and the new Blade Silver Metallic.

Bright Future of Auto Sector

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) and Toyota Financial Services Philippines (TFSPH) see a brighter future for the automotive sector.

The optimism comes from rising vehicles and encouraging economic indicators.

This has prompted TFSPH to continue offering more innovative schemes to make it easier to own or lease Toyota vehicles.

Now on its 20th year in operation, TFSPH already accounts for five of every 10 Toyota cars sold in the country.

TFSPH president Rommel Ocampo says the company will continue to expand its innovative offerings and services to cater to the evolving needs of customers while adapting to the changing mobility landscape.

TFSPH is optimistic about the country's road to recovery and excited about expanding beyond traditional vehicle financing by offering new mobility services.

He cited the latest TFSPH innovations such as the mobile appmyTOYOTA Wallet, and vehicle lease products likeKINTO One for individual customers and KINTO One Business for corporate fleet.

Working hand-in-hand with TMP's all-in-one mobile customer portal, myTOYOTA Wallet allows customers to easily and conveniently pay for their transactions at any Toyota dealerships nationwide, including payments on parts, accessories, services, and insurance.

KINTO One is a full-service "worry-free" vehicle lease package for individual customers which TFSPH likens to subscribing to use a Toyota vehicle.

The all-inclusive monthly lease payment package covers periodic maintenance service, normal wear and tear parts replacement, annual comprehensive insurance, annual car registration, plus an exclusive KINTO concierge service.

KINTO One Business offers the same full-service lease package but this time to corporate customers' fleet requirements.

The fleet-management service covers periodic maintenance, comprehensive insurance, vehicle registration, and even roadside assistance in affordable payment packages.

Ocampo cited a recent Automotive Market Study that showed that the demand for new vehicles is rising in the region, and that vehicle subscription or leasing is on the rise in South East Asia, as an alternative to ownership.

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)