Motoring Today Column

May 03, 2023

If you are dreaming of acquiring a car for yourself or your family this summer, why not head to the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds this weekend.

You may just find your dream car available for test drive at this year’s Auto Summer Test Drive Festival presented byCaltex in cooperation with SM Offices and SM Mall of Asia Complex.

Considered to be the country’s biggest outdoor test drive event, the Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival is once again set-up to be a veritable one-stop shop for prospective car buyers and a must-visit event for die-hard car buffs.

A wide range of competing standard and luxury/premium models will be on display and made available for test drives.

Participating in this year’s edition of the annual summer test drive festival are Ford, GAC Motor, GWM, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and WM Motor.

To be held from May 4 to 7, the festival provides car buyers and enthusiasts the opportunity to compare similar, competing models head-to-head, and look out for the best deals, discounts and financing offers available.

The summer test drive festival should be a fun long weekend for families.

Parents and their entire brood can check out which van, SUV or MPV best suits their needs, wants and budget.

Those curious about how it feels driving an honest to goodness full electric SUV or sedan should check out the lineup of vehicles of WM Motor Philippines.

WM Motors will be setting up charging stations at the festival.

There should also be hybrid vehicles available for test drives.

Team members of participating automakers and distributors at the festival will only be too happy to provide whatever information about their latest models to visitors.

Cool Changes

The Land Transportation Office has been getting criticized over the printed paper licenses brouhaha, but it also should get its fair share of commendations for recent changes in policies.

One policy change of note is the decision to no longer oblige drivers with five-year and 10-year licenses to undergo additional medical examinations.

Until this change, a periodic medical exam was required for an individual with a driver's license with a 5-year validity on the third year.

Those with 10-year licenses are required to undergo medical examination on the fourth and seventh year.

LTO Chief Tugade said the decision to remove the periodic medical examination was based on the study, collected data and consultations.

"There's no empirical data saying that the period medical examination could prevent road crashes," Tugade said.

"We at the LTO believe that this step will bring some relief to the public because apart from not having to spend repeatedly for medical examinations, it will also avoid additional inconvenience especially for those who value time for work. Now it's up to each individual to decide if they want to participate in the medical examination," Tugade said.

Another policy change that should earn some kudos from motorcycle owners is the one concerning three-year validity for all new motorcycle registrations.

Before the change, only motorcycles with engine displacement of 201cc and above have a three-year validity of initial registration.

Again following some studies, the LTO decided to have motorcycles with smaller engine displacements included for three-year initial registration.

In explaining this change, Tugade said: "We do not see that there will be a problem with the roadworthiness of motorcycles with three-year registration because these are new vehicles.”

"We at the LTO believe that this step will help many drivers who are registering a new motorcycle for use in their occupation or work," he added.

The LTO estimates two million new motorcycle registrants of 200cc and below will benefit from this new policy this year.

Tugade may be speaking of these two changes in policy when he said: "This is proof that your LTO listens to the suggestions of the public that directly transacts with the agency. Studies will continue on the existing policies and rules and if changes need to be made for the betterment of the system, we are ready to do so.”

Happy Motoring!!!

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