Auto industry revs up

"More than just another new vehicle, the new Vios represents the newest work of passion from Toyota. This is the same passion that has produced the best-selling Camry and Altis. The same burning passion that led Toyota to regain the passenger car market supremacy and achieve a Triple Crown performance last year."

Together with these words and some from Mr. Nobuharu Tabata, president of Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, the Vios, the first entry-level vehicle of Toyota in the Philippines, which virtually completed its mainstream car line-up, was unveiled at its media presentation last Thursday, May 15, at the Le Pavillon Metropolitan Park in Roxas Boulevard.

TMPC boldly zeroed-in on its target market by getting young celebrity Britney Spears as its endorser for this new market offering and by openly describing the Vios as a lifestyle vehicle for the young market.

This is undoubtedly a clear display of confidence on its new product, fearless about alienating the adult market, but otherwise convinced that this market will instead be drawn into identifying with what’s youthful.

As the entire local automotive market holds its breath waiting for the passage of the new excise tax law, like Honda, Toyota can only come up with a suggested price range of anywhere from P550,000 to P700,000.

Mr. Danny Isla, Toyota’s top man for marketing, meticulously went through the Vios’ technical specs while in a huddle with some of the knowledgeable motoring journalists present. He was most particular with the state-of-the art aerodynamic design that the all-new compact sedan offers, which yields a coefficient of drag (CD) of a low 0.30, similar to a Lexus GS300, designed to reduce wind noise, improve acceleration and maneuverability and ensure better fuel efficiency. Danny (whom I also sometimes fondly call "Pareng Ringgo", being a true blue Beatles fanatic, in the likes of Al "Pareng Paul" or "Don Alfonso" Mendoza) also pointed out Toyota’s VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) technology, present in all variants of the Vios, that delivers higher power with its optimized valve timing that produces powerful torque through low to medium engine rpms.

That’s an entirely new Toyota model that you may want to check out in any of their showrooms located nationwide starting the 1st week of June.

*****

Two days after, Saturday, May 17, at the same venue, it was the turn of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation to call on the Philippine Media to bear witness to its introduction of the 2003 Space Gear.

The media launch was headed by MMPC president and CEO, Mr. Teruhiko Shibata, who stressed in his welcome remarks that "The addition of the new 2003 Space Gear in our line up now complements our LCV model line-up. We are now positioned to further improve our market share especially in the passenger van segment."

From the outside, one can easily discern the significant improvements of Mitsubishi’s new offering in the market starting with its new front face that’s highlighted by a new grille and new headlamp design, while from behind one simply can’t miss the new rear combination headlamps. These are complemented with new front and rear bumpers to come up with a real fresh new look.

No less than Mr. Mel Dizon, MMPC senior VP (strongly rumored to be its next president, should the present American head honcho of Chrysler-Mitsubishi opt for local management leadership) was up on the podium to present the mouthful of features that the new Space Gear has to offer. Mel emphasized that the balance of power and economy is achieved as the new Space Gear is equipped with a new 2.4 liter 4G64 multi-point injected 16-valve engine, which is appropriately matched to a smooth shifting electronically controlled 4-speed automatic with overdrive. This excellent combination also churns out a maximum output of 132 PS @ 5500 rpm and 19.9 kg-m @ 2500 rpm of torque.

Tops on my list of significant features that the 2003 Space Gear has to offer is the Mitsubishi Motors Video Entertainment System, which includes a huge 10.4-inch LCD monitor, so far the biggest video monitor equipped in a vehicle. This is a certified boredom-killer especially on long trips. Add to this, the armrests for the driver and passengers in the 2nd and 3rd rows and the front double wishbone and 5-link coil spring rear suspensions with stabilizer bars for enhanced driving and riding comfort.

For the new Space Gear the new Excise Tax Bill would work in reverse. While passenger car prices are expected to lower as the law provides for a value-based system of taxation, the prices of vans and SUVs are expected to go higher upon its approval. So, as it is presently priced at P1,090,000 as it hits the market, a subsequent increase is indeed inevitable.

Formula One Notes

Not even the elements could stop Michael Schumacher from picking up his 67th career Grand Prix victory in Austria. Despite the 10-second delay caused by his fuel nozzle catching fire in one of his pit stops, he still raced to the finish line ahead of everyone with time to spare. This Austrian Grand Prix may have been a lot less controversial than last year’s, but Schumi remains to be the name in the headlines. Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren-Mercedes failed to capitalize on Schumi’s long pit stop because he was suffering from heavy under steer. He, however, did a good job of keeping Rubens Barrichelo at bay, albeit the Brazilian gave him a couple of scares.

Many F1 fans were wondering if the race would ever start because Toyota’s Cristiano da Matta stalled on the grid twice due to engine problems. Further along, rising Renault star Fernando Alonso wasn’t too lucky this time around as he failed to finish the race after spinning off on Lap 43. Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams-BMW was likewise unable to complete his race as his engine blew out on him in the 31st lap. Despite having problems with his car, David Coulthard managed to wind up in 5th place. I bet neither he nor Kimi can wait until they unveil their 2003 car, which is still about a month from release. Jenson Button of BAR Honda capped off a marvelous weekend by scoring 5 points but his teammate Jacques wasn’t as lucky as he finished 12th. Ralf Schumacher, Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli wind up the winners’ circle as they ended up 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.

The exciting race altered the standings quite a bit. Although Kimi remains on top of the Driver’s Championships, Michael is now only two points behind him. In the Constructor’s Championship, Ferrari now holds a one-point lead over their rivals. Thrilling match?

It’s race time once again

Motoring journalists and other members of the media shall don their racing suits once again this Saturday for the 2nd leg of the 2003 City Media Challenge.

But after having raced the last time in a rough and slippery dirt surface, most of the participants, except the veterans, are up against new challenges as this leg shall be run on tarmac surface right in front of the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park.

It will be also a sight to see how the racers would handle the 130 horses that the 2003 Civic (the official competition vehicle) has under its hood as they maneuver the tight corners and short straights that have been laid out.

The series leader, veteran and one-time series champion Anjo Perez, who also bears the flag of two-time team champion Bulletin, are expected by many to have an easy time fending off the challenges of the novices and the sophomores, having raced in tarmac in slaloms and even rally events.

However, team rankings may just be scuttled with the strong challenge being hurled by current series second-placer Team Philippine Star, which is also composed of veteran dirt trial and rally campaigners Manny delos Reyes, Brian Afuang and Andy Leuterio with very able support from sophomore racer standout Lester Dizon.

Another interesting thing to watch here is whether Arnel Doria, the highest-ranking Pinoy executive of Honda Cars Philippines, will again allow his boss, HCPI president Mitsunari Takano, to have a better time than his, which by the way he said was out of seniority. One thing for sure, if Takano-san did, talagang talo si Arnel-san. What seniority?

Happy Motoring!!!

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