Motoring Today Column: 5-Star Isuzu

Jun 28, 2023

5-Star Isuzu

Isuzu Philippines Corporationis up to its old trick of one-upping the competition by introducing features not found in others in the segment.

As it always does following rollouts of upgraded models, Isuzu invited members of the motoring media, as well as so-called influencers, to a group test drive or event to showcase the advanced features of the refreshed D-Max and mu-X that set them apart from the competition.

Motoring Today and Auto Focus were among those invited to the event that involved a road trip from Pampanga to Tarlac, then to Zambales, as well as testing the new D-Max and mu-X in specially designed on-pavement and off-road courses to showcases their advanced features.

Motoring Today and Auto Focus got to interview top honchos of Isuzu to find out the objectives of the test drive event.

Said Tetsuya Fujita, IPC's new president : "We are here right now in Tarlac to put to test Isuzu's Advanced Driver Assist System or ADAS. Our media and influencer group will be driving the new Isuzu DMAX and Isuzu mu-X in a controlled facility highlighting features like the Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring which are features that are relevant to daily drive of Filipino families, ensuring the safety of their occupants and the people around them."

Robert Carlos, IPC assistant sales division head, highlighted the ADAS edge over the competition, saying: "The Isuzu Advanced Driver Assist System is different from its competitors as it uses the Smart Duo Cam technology. While other brands are using mono camera, we offer not just one but two 3D cameras that are constantly mapping the surrounding measuring the distance of the vehicle to every obstacle on the road."

Robert Carlos also touted the other objective of the test drive, saying: "Aside from the safety features the media drive also highlighted the 4x4 capabilities of these new models. Isuzu has always been known for its durability and reliability and with these latest editions, we even improved it with better underbody protection, better handling and suspension. In addition to that both models have one-piece aluminum driveshafts for efficient power distribution and an onboard clinometer for the hardcore 4x4 enthusiasts which are first in its class."

Yasuhiko Oyama, IPC vice president for sales, believes the new advanced features of the D-Max and the mu-X make them even more attractive to buyers who are looking not only for reliable and comfortable family vehicles but also fun and adventures.

Said Yasuhiko Oyama: " Going on weekend adventures or short term drives like these is the kind of lifestyle that Isuzu wants to promote with these new models. We have upgrade its looks to a new premium styling while keeping its core value of Isuzu durability and fuel efficiency and now its five-star safety. We think it's a total package that the family can really enjoy for a very long time."

Best-Selling Benz

One of Mercedes-Benz's global bestsellers is now available in the country.

The Auto Nation Group (ANG), official distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the Philippines, has rolled out the Mercedes Benz GLC 200 4MATIC.

Frankie Ang, ANG chief operating officer, says: "The new GLC is bigger, sleeker and sportier. The new GLC embraces it's rough and ready personality in the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, and it promises an unparalleled driving experience, that blends power and efficiency like never before."

Adds Benjamin Bautista, ANG assistant vice president, "The new GLC is one of the top-selling cars globally in the Mercedes Benz product portfolio. We want to continue that success here in the Philippines."

The Mercedes GLC 200 4MATIC comes with a 1999cc inline-4 mild hybrid engine that generates 204 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque.

It's priced at P5.19 million.

Pro-Active LTFRB

There is good news for commuters who face more inconvenience by the planned closure of some Philippine National Railways stations and services.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will allow buses and jeepneys to serve commuters affected by the temporary closure of several PNR stations to make way for the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway project.

In a memorandum circular, the LTFRB said three bus and jeepney routes will be opened: FTI-Divisoria via East Service Road, Alabang (Starmall) - Divisoria via the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and Malabon-Divisoria.

The LTFRB is now undertaking qualifying process for those wishing to service the newly opened routes.

Those qualified will operate under special permits renewable annually until the NSCR is fully operational.

The LTRFB should be commended for proactively providing for the transport needs of commuters affected by the closure of select PNR stations.

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)