Time to get back our cars

The clamor is unquestionable. Automobile owners, many of whom invested hard-earned money to buy them, would like to have the unlimited use of their vehicles. It’s really about time that the MMDA, under the "hands-on" management of Chairman Bayani Fernando, makes a firm stand by scrapping the "vehicle reduction scheme" and allow motor vehicle owners their full use.

The traffic flow in EDSA has tremendously improved since the time this measure was adopted and it’s now obsolete. It has been a long time of inconvenience and sacrifice that our motorists have gone through.

Come on, let’s give them back their cars!

The Sky’s no limit!

It was literally a whole-day affair for those in the motoring media who were invited to the launching of the 2003 Isuzu Trooper held last week at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite, hosted by IPC, Isuzu Philippines Corporation.

The day started really early for those who decided to join the Fun Golf Tournament that kicked off the festivities, which marked the introduction of the Trooper "Skyroof" Edition, the first and only biggest electric skyroof in its category, made longer and wider than the usual moonroof, affording a view of the sky up to the 2nd row passenger seats.

The fun tournament, participated in by the motoring media golf enthusiasts, Isuzu execs, dealers and friends had a surprise winner, with the winner himself more surprised than everyone else. Auto Review TV show producer/host Ron delos Reyes ran away with the trophy with Today’s motoring editor and known car racer Popong Andolong closely coming second. Jeff Reyes of Philippine Star came in 3rd while Emil Tiangco of ABS-CBN was fourth to complete the winners’ circle for an all-media sweep.

IPC president, Mr. Toru Koyasu officially welcomed the guests and likened all those who participated in the tournament and came for the affair as the lovers of the good life–like the SUV buyers. He added that the SUVs have truly become a status symbol of one’s achievements. Apart from being daily movers, they also serve as trophies, which their owners like to show to their peers.

For his part, IPC executive vice president Mr. Hiroshi Ishino proudly came up with the detailed description of the new features of the 2003 Isuzu Trooper–all in response to what the market wants that would reinforce comfort, style and luxury and at the same time meeting the need for multi-functionality, reliability, durability and power. Ishino-san also thank the media for the consistent support that it had given Isuzu in past activities like the Isuzu Challenge and the Extreme Utility Vehicle activities in the past.

The "close-to-nature" ambiance of the golf course and its surroundings proved irresistible to those present to answer the call for an SUV "power and comfort" test drive aboard the 2003 Isuzu Trooper right after a sumptuous lunch overcoming the natural urge for a breezy doze-off.

Aside from the large "skyroof" being the biggest turn-on of the new "pogi" Trooper, it was also the new entertainment system that caught the fancy of the journalists. It offers a single in-dash CD/VCD player with built-in MPEG system and two-head-rest mounted monitors. Indeed an added "while-away" entertainment package, either to overcome the aggravation of traffic jams or a home movie beneath the stars with the skyroof open, that adds more value for the buyer’s money.

A package of luxury and distinctive class also comes with the 2003 Trooper through a wrap-around wood grain panel combined with beige leather interiors supplemented with dual pop-up cup holders at its center armrest and an auxiliary power socket. A new billet grille kit package, side step boards with end caps and a sleek spare tire cover with lock complete the overall new image.

The 2003 Trooper’s technical specs come unquestioned though, with the state-of-the-art 4JX1 TC intercooled turbo engine, 16 valve, 3.0 liter, DOHC that produces a maximum output of 160 ps at 3,900 rpm and the highest engine power in Diesel class, providing a 34 kg-m of torque. I’m sure my good friend Art Balmadrid, IPC’s top Filipino marketing honcho has no qualms about this department as Isuzu arguably leads the competition in this regard. Besides, at P1,549,000 for this 4-speed automatic, Isuzu feels that buyers would be getting a lot, lot more value for the amount.

As I’m still on my self-imposed sabbatical, I missed the occasion although I have always been well briefed as to how things are going on in the motoring circles, of course not barring this recent exciting one. Our friends, Isuzu execs Myrna Gonzales and Timmy Naval were reportedly so busy during the affair managing all the fun prizes given away and making sure all motoring journalists and guests were having a grand time.

Our congratulations to IPC for this "pogi" Isuzu Skyroof Trooper.

SUVs and Commercial Vehicles galore

We hope to get a glimpse of the latest Sports Utility Vehicles and Commercial vehicles next week, October 30, as we attend the Tokyo Motor Show through the courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines.

I shall be happily in the company of fellow motoring journalists Erle Sebastian, columnist of Today and Ron delos Reyes, producer/host of Auto Review and executives of Mitsubishi to be lead by senior vp, Mel Dizon.

From this trip we hope to bring a wealth of information, photos and footage of these new models and most probably some concept vehicles in this category. I shall be showing these on our TV show Motoring Today (Sunday, 11:30 am to 12;30 pm Channel 4 Manila and nationwide on National Broadcasting Network) and very extensively on Auto Focus (Tuesday, 11:00 pm Channel 4 and also nationwide).

It was in the year 2000 when the Motor Show organizers in Japan decided on having a separate exhibit for commercial vehicles from passenger cars. It has always been the motor show for passenger cars that really attracts a huge audience of motoring enthusiasts. With the present scheduling these two shows appear one year after another. In the many years that I have attended Motor Shows in different countries, the two days that have always been allotted to motoring journalists from all over the world for the Tokyo Motor Show having the two categories together have never always been enough to cover all the models on display, one of the major considerations in having separate shows for the two categories.

Happy Motoring!!!

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