Motoring Today Column

Jul 06, 2022

Motorcycle owners with small displacement engines have long felt discriminated against by tollway operators.

They would certainly be happy to see the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway opening the newest bridge to motorcycles powered by 125cc and above engines.

In opening the bridge to motorcycles with smaller engine displacements, the CCLEX management assures the public that it is putting up measures to ensure it is safe for all.

The new toll bridge is a traffic discipline zone where standard traffic and safety regulations are strictly implemented, it said.

Motorcycles have a designated lane at the CCLEX marked out by blue lines and a 40 kph speed limit on the main bridge and curves and 60 kph on the causeway. No overtaking is allowed.

"The measures we have put in place are meant to make sure that all our motorists will have a safe, seamless, and pleasurable journey while using the expressway," said CCLEC President and General Manager Allan G. Alfon.

Year Round Motorshow

We certainly would have liked to be there personally for the inauguration of the AC Motors Centrale at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

We hear from our Sunshine Television (STV) team which covered the inauguration of AC Motors Centrale that this latest innovation from Ayala's automotive group is certain to warm the hearts of car aficionados.

It was, in the words of AC Motors Automobile Group President Antonio "Toti" Zara III , a motor show that will be open year-round.

In an interview with STV, producer of the oldest running motoring television program Motoring Today, and Auto Focus, Zara said: "The concept of centrale is like a motorshow. Like a motorshow you'll see there are no walls between the brands. We still have the core brands' essence which we need to protect but we want a free-flowing experience as if we were having a motor show in the center of the city 365 days of the year."

The AC Motors Centrale facility is situated on a3,000-square meter space at the center ofBGC and showcases AC Motors' four-wheel marques Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, and Kia and its two motorcycle brands KTM and Husqvarna.

Viewing our footage of the event, we certainly felt the motorshow vibe with the four automotive and two motorcycle brands showcasing their latest and best models like in booths seen at international auto shows.

In his message at the inauguration, AC Industrials president and CEO Art Tan said the Centrale "showcases the combined strengths and synergies of our automobile and motorcycle portfolio."

Interestingly enough Tan tied the Centrale to Ayala's vision of the future of mobility. In the same message, he said: "This venue will become a part of our sustainable electric vehicle ecosystem, allowing our customers to comfortably enjoy the EV models which we will soon be introducing."

Live Auction

Also certain to warm the hearts of car aficionado's is another innovation from AC Motors revealed during the Centrale inauguration- AC Motors Trade+.

In his message at the inauguration, Toti Zara said: "AC Motors Trade+ is an auction-based service for new buyers and existing owners that streamlines the entire process of selling used cars, offering just a five-day turnaround time from inspection, to auction, and payment."

Customers can trade in vehicles from any brand, not just those sold by AC Motors, according to Zara.

The program should open up "a whole new world of enterprise and ownership opportunities for our customers," he added.

The core brands at the Centrale is quite happy with being part of this seeming year-round motorshow.

In an interview with Sunshine Television, Felipe Estrella, Volkswagen Philippines, president, said: "This new location that we have is also refreshing for us and it incorporates the new design elements of the Volkswagen brand which has been rolled out and is continuing to be rolled out in the different markets across the world. You'll see a different look and a different feel when you come visit us here at the Volkswagen BGC showroom."

Also in an interview, Noboru Murakami, Isuzu Philippines Corporation president, said: "BGC is known as the central business district of Metro Manila. So it's the perfect place to showcase prestigious brands in one hub. Inside this building, customers will also find Isuzu sales showroom and just like all Isuzu branches, the Isuzu showroom here is capable to deliver the utmost customer satisfaction for its MuX, DMAX, Traviz and Isuzu truck customers."

Kia Philippines Motor Corporation president Emmanuel "Manny" Aligada hinted at more AC Motors central hubs to be established in more locations.

In an interview, Aligada said: "We intend to bring this out wherever we can. This is a sample because we were allowed by the various distributors that we carry also to have a centralized hub like the Centrale. We will, where we can, provide that type of capability."

Geely Expands

Geely continues to expand its network of dealerships around the country.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines Corporation (SGAP) , official distributor of Geely vehicles in the country, deserve more than pats in the back after inaugurating two more dealerships, Geely Calamba and Geely Butuan.

Said SGAP President & CEO Yugo Kiyofuji: "This marks another milestone for Geely in the Philippines and we are indeed excited to expand our reach to our customers especially in these two new locations such as Calamba, Laguna and Butuan City.

"This will enable us to further bring affordable, exciting, and technology rich vehicles as well as to provide our certified after sales service to our customers in these locations."

Dealership No. 30, Geely Calamba is located at Purok 2, Barangay Makiling, in Calamba, Laguna

Dealership No. 31, Geely Butuan, is located along National Highway, Baan, Butuan City.

Happy Motoring!!!

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