Motoring Today Column

Apr 27, 2016

Sunshine TV (STV) is playing to the hilt its assumed role of being one of the local auto industry’s recognized catalysts by way of the activities it has it its yearly calendar, which involves the getting together of major players in highly competitive yet very friendly scenarios.

Some years back, in 2009 to be precise it was STV that organized the first ‘auto industry forum’ where top industry executives from competing car companies shared the same stage discussing the problems that plagued the sector at that time with no less than a cabinet member present to sort these out and offer some solutions and mitigating measures being initiated by the government. It was an initiative that has so far never been duplicated by anybody from within or outside of the industry.

Then there’s the annual staging of the STV-ARCC (Auto Rally Corporate Challenge), the only motor sports event where corporate teams from contending car companies carrying their brand models openly compete against each other, not only for the fun and the spirit of competition of the event but also in sharing the common concern to promote road safety.

The Auto Focus People’s and Media’s Choice Awards, another STV brainchildis a yearly exercise that determines the year’s most preferred automobile models in each vehicle category of sedans, SUVs, vans, pick ups, etc., and the year’s most popular automobile, distinct for Standard and Luxury car models with the public’s and the media’s choices determined and awarded separately. The awards night, the ‘Oscar’ of the auto industry yearly gets the industry’s movers and shakers breaking bread and sharing liquid spirits together for an evening of camaraderie.

Another get together that STV initiates are the opening day cocktails of the biennial ‘multi-brand test drive event’, the Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival (AFSTDF) held during the year’s second quarter and the final quarter’s Auto Focus Pre Christmas Test Drive Festival (AFPCTDF).

Last Thursday, marked the 2016 AFSTDF opening day cocktails held at the VIP Lounge of the test drive venue at the MOA when eight presidents of top automobile manufacturers and importers of the country graciously accepted STV’s invitation for a casual gathering and an evening of camaraderie of the country’s fiercest of competitors in the local auto industry.

Leading the list, which is in no particular order is the president of BMW Philippines, the very lovely Ms. Maricar Parco together with Bobby Rosales, the top honcho for finance of the Alvarez Group, which counts BMW, Peugeot, Kia and Mahindra brands in its stable.

Then there’s Chevrolet Philippines president, Atty. Albert Arcilla who arrived with his marketing protégé, Ms. Lyn Buena.

Volkswagen Philippines came in full force headed by its president, John Paul “JP” Orbeta joined by chief operating adviser, Klaus Schadewald, marketing director, Franz Decloedt and auto industry veteran, Arnel Doria.

The duo of Isuzu Philippines president, Hajime Koso and senior vp Art Balmadrid still managed to squeeze in their presence in the cocktails despite having their own event, the Isuzu 4x4 Action Playground at the MOA.

As dapper as he can always be, Peugeot Philippines president Glen Dasig came with marketing director, Dong Magsajo.

We also had as a distinguished guest, Shuzo Hoshikura, the president of Suzuki Philippines, presently one of the more aggressive car companies that are slugging it out in the local market presently, who was joined by its very charming marketing manager, Ms. Odessa Gan.

Ford Philippines was also aptly represented in the event by its president, Lance Mosley joined by marketing director, Ms. Minnie Valencia and Joseph Ayllon.

Lexus-Manila president, Danny “Sir John” Isla came with heir-apparent Raymond Rodriguez while Toyota Motor Philippines had newly-installed president, Satoru Suzuki ensuring the market leader’s presence and vp for marketing Sherwin Chua Lim.

Although in the midst of facing new challenges Mitsubishi Motors Philippines ad and promo top honcho Arlan Reyes together with his very capable media liaison, Ms. Rosemary Cruz also braved the long travel and traffic just to be present and accounted for.

The opening day had 495 test drives followed with 654 on Friday, which increased to 781 on Saturday and whooping 984 on its last day, Sunday.

For most, if not all of the participating car companies had confirmed sale by the end of each day of the test drive event with many serious inquiries for immediate follow up listed.

With limited participation in the multi brand test drive event dictated by the venue’s limited space, reservations for the 2016 Auto Focus Pre Christmas Test Drive Festival in November are being made by most of the present participants who enjoy the privilege of “first refusal”.

It’ll be another 60 minutes exclusive to the automobile and the auto industry when Auto Focus, the country’s premier auto TV news and features magazine airs tomorrow evening at 10 o’clock on Solar Sports (Channel 70, Sky Cable and Channel 35, Destiny Cable).

The week’s special feature include the highlights of the recently held media test drive of Suzuki Ciaz to Anilao, Batangas plus head-to-head as we pit two vans, the Honda Odyssey versus the Kia Carnival. We’ll also have the spotlight on the 2017 Mazda MX5 RF and 2016 Bentley Continental GT Black Edition as our special features on autos of the world. All these plus all the latest developments and news in the auto industry are our regular fare on Auto Focus, the weekly automobile show.

Now if you miss it or any of its past episodes log on to our website www.autofocus.com.ph anytime of the day.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments (email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com