Word has it that the MMDA is in the process of making road signs geared towards the pedestrians for them to obey traffic rules and regulations prior to strictly enforcing these laws and imposing penalties.
It’s about time. Although I hope that the move will not start and end with these signs.
Henry Co, president of Ford Group, formally initiated the countdown at the El Cuento restaurant in Makati in front of local motoring journalists. He also made mention of some of the activities lined up for company employees, dealers, Ford car clubs, enthusiasts and the media, which include a motor show and concerts among many others.
As part of the centennial celebrations Ford Motor Company built six Model T’s that replicate in true fashion the original 1914 Model T, which will be donated to museums. Four of these Model T-100s were donated to Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. They will be used as part of an exhibit scheduled to open in April this year that is tentatively called "The Henry Ford Story".
The 2003 Model T-100s were made by hand and replicated in true fashion the 1914 Model T identical to the originals from the throttle to the engine crank using all new parts.
Dave Macasadia, the local Ford’s top honcho for marketing promised to come up with regular updates on the exciting activities that are lined up to celebrate Ford’s centennial while Maricar Parco, who is Ford’s AVP for advertising and promotions reminded everyone about Ford’s Web site, which can be accessed through www.ford.com for more information about these local and international activities.
A five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement to cover 2002 to 2007 was recently signed with known labor leader and Bayan Muna Party List representative Hon. Crispin Beltran officially witnessing the management-labor relationship milestone.
HCPI president and general manager Mr. Mitsunari Takano expressed confidence that the peaceful and fruitful conclusion of the collective bargaining negotiations would bring about "better teamwork, better productivity and better motivation." He also urged all Honda associates (the management’s endearing address to employees) to aim not only to become the number one company in the automotive industry but in the entire country as well.
The inevitable result of labor peace is better productivity. And with this much welcome development our good friend Arnel Doria, the top Filipino executive at Honda Cars Philippines sees a well-balanced fight for auto industry supremacy in 2003.
For starters the FIA seems bend on enforcing some cost-cutting measures, which some teams do not agree to, through regulation changes.
Some of the rules proposed to be implemented for 2003 include: a) the banning of bi-directional telemetry, b) the banning of pit-to-car radios, c) the teams will not be allowed to work on the cars between qualifying and the race, d) spare cars are disallowed.
Four-time world champion Michael Schumacher is reported to be not worried at all at the said changes but has raised doubts about their safety implications. The current world champion sees the re-banning of "traction control" will make the race "a little bit more exciting", however his biggest reservation lies on the banning of pit-to-car radio communication.
He said, "If there is problem in a certain corner or an accident or rain situation mixed on the track, then on the radio you can discuss that. If you don’t have a radio, you cannot."
Other pre-series developments include the 20 million pounds given to the Jordan and Minardi Teams to ensure that they stay in business this season in a bid by F1’s top honcho Bernie Ecclestone to make sure that the grid not be reduced to less than the current 20 cars.
The offer was fully backed by the other eight teams with the money coming from a redistribution of TV revenue and what would have been the now-defunct Arrows team’s share of the series’ profits.
The cash boast is the latest move made by Formula One officials to ensure no other teams would close show in the heels of Prost and Arrows.
• Jaguar failed the FIA’s mandatory side impact crash test when a small part of its chassis cracked. However team representatives say that it did not fail the test per se as only a small area of the chassis cracked, which was believed to be due to the adhesive used to hold it in. They are confident that the next test would just be a formality, as the car would certainly pass it.
More on the 2003 World Formula One Series the next time.
On the other hand, Toyota Motor Philippines and Ford Group Philippines also made sure that the flow of information and the giving away of valuable prizes do not cease on the weekly show by renewing their portion sponsorships.
My "Pareng Ringgo" or Danny Isla, Toyota’s workaholic top marketing executive recently made sure that the "Toyota Know Your Formula One" contest shall go on providing bits of vital info about the world’s most popular race while giving away prizes.
While Maricar Cristobal-Parco, the ever-charming Ford avp for marketing and communications did not let go of the "Ford Driving Test" contest to ensure that crucial inputs on the proper and safe way to drive continue together with the valuable prizes that go with them.
Happy Motoring!!!
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