GM Philippines changes guards

While many members of the media can’t wait for the day that some country representatives of foreign car companies, due to their arrogance, which is ironically combined with sheer ineptness, are called back and end their tour of duty in the country, the ones that are most loved, like James Lim of General Motors Automobiles Philippines, decide to go.

James is unquestionably one of those that the local motoring media respects, not only for his kind and gentle demeanor, but for his genuine concern for journalists and their needs and requirements in being good and effective in their craft.

He is one who would make himself always available for interviews and would always find time to provide the media with facts and figures that may be required. In his three years of being the head of the representative office of the world’s largest auto manufacturer, he never once passed on such requirements to his assistants, whenever he was asked directly or have ever attempted to put a layer between him and the media.

James would always be remembered as the gentleman executive who once represented and ably took care of the concerns of General Motors in the Philippines. Living proof of his very able leadership and understanding of the local market was his outstanding performance in making the Chevy Optra one of the best sellers in its class (for a number of months topping the sales charts) despite the odds that the competition had offered — sales figures on record would attest to this. We’ll miss you James. After 22 well-served years with GM we wish you the best in your retirement, which you rightfully deserve. But being young as you are though, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that in a very short while, after spending some quality time with your family, you will again be up and about.

But life must go on in GM Philippines as Mr. Francis Burdett takes over as president and general manager bringing with him extensive experience in finance, sales & marketing and supply management having been the chief finance officer of Holden New Zealand prior to accepting his new assignment in the Philippines.

William Botwick, GM’s executive director for ASEAN operations, who came for the changing-of-the-guard ceremony held with the media last Wednesday, June 29 at the New World Hotel in Makati said in his speech that the appointment of Mr. Burdett will help GM Philippines continue is success and take it up to another level. Bill however went on to cite outgoing president James Lim for his outstanding work in running the company and building the Chevrolet brand in the Philippines.

Pit Lane Notes

According to McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, the Formula 1 calendar just might squeeze in another US appearance before the season ends. It, however, will be a non-championship race, and it won’t be "free". He said that although it would be challenging logistics-wise, it was definitely possible. Juan Pablo Montoya already expressed his desire to support what ever move F1 decides to make regarding this matter. Michelin, on the other hand, agreed to reimburse the fans for the tickets they bought. Some people might think that these moves are "too little, too late", but I think it’s good that they are at least doing something to try to rectify that farce of a race. They’re sending a good message out to the public, and this will surely be greatly appreciated by the fans.

The French Grand Prix was an incredible race, and it was enough to wash away the bitter taste of the Indianapolis fiasco. Fernando Alonso became the first Renault F1 driver since Alain Prost to win in France, and he now has a solid 24 point lead over his closest rival. It was especially memorable for Renault as this was their home race, and the stands were covered in a sea of blue and yellow. Kimi Raikkonen managed to secure a 2nd place finish despite starting from 13th on the grid, and Michael Schumacher is showing us that the fat lady isn’t going to be singing for a while — he is still taking the championship seriously despite encountering several setbacks in the season.

If you told me this time last year that Fernando Alonso would be leading the pack in 2005, I would probably have laughed in your face. I probably would have said "He’s still too young to beat Schumacher, or even Raikkonen!" But man, look at Alonso now. He sure is making me eat my words.

Clamor for SPMJ Teaching Modules

One of our readers, Lloyd F. Intalan, wrote in to join many of those who just can’t wait to have their hands on the SPMJ (Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists) Teaching Modules. These are lesson plans, which SPMJ commissioned the UP-NCTS to produce, to guide teachers in initiating their students to become future responsible and safe road users, which is the core of the advocacy of the ‘society’.

Mr. Intalan writes,"I am not aware of any other publication here in the Philippines available to educate the people. Given how driving licenses are given out, I’m not surprised that most drivers are ignorant of traffic rules. I hope these modules can be available easily to the public and only for schools."

Although the society’s objective in its advocacy is youth education, we may just decide to also have a summarized version of the modules made for public consumption. We may find it easier now considering that we have someone who had gone through the same familiar path pushing a similar advocacy had decided to join and help SPMJ as our Project Director. Quito Daroza, once a top marketing executive of Philip Morris International, who has retired and has now dedicated his life to teaching at De la Salle University and playing golf at Southwoods at least once a week, graciously accepted our invitation to join us in our advocacy. Considering that all SPMJ members are all busy being editors, columnists, writers, television producers or hosts, we would need somebody who would work hands-on to make sure that these modules would effectively be used by teachers and the students actually learning from them. While in Philip Morris, Quito also initiated a nationwide value-formation educational campaign in the schools making him very familiar with what SPMJ would like to achieve.

After two successful golf-for-a-cause fund-raising projects of the SPMJ that financed the design and production of the Teaching Modules, the concerns now are to train teachers to effectively use the modules, to distribute the modules and at the same time to create awareness among the students as to why it is important for them to study and learn what the modules are espousing and to measure the effectiveness of these modules.

At this point two major automobile companies, Toyota Motor Philippines and Ford Group Philippines, have expressed their willingness to support and help address the present concerns of SPMJ. Considering the numbers involved (41,000 schools all over the country), there’s room for everybody who wish to have their equity in this social concern, which when addressed effectively, will have everyone’s children and their children’s children to benefit. We expect the other automobile companies, more so the oil companies and other firms doing business in the country that have their corporate citizenship of value to help and fully support this project.

To measure the effectiveness of the Teaching Modules the SPMJ is also having an inter-school quiz contest on road traffic education that would be elevated to regional and national levels and culminate in a nationally televised quiz contest where winning students would be awarded scholarships and winning schools to be given donations in the form of sports or library facilities from participating sponsors.

It’s a long way to go but we at SPMJ are taking each step one at a time and it would be easier for all of us to achieve the noble goals of this advocacy if many of you would help us.

Happy Motoring!!!

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