The correct use of U-turns

During my most recent trip to Bangkok, our media contingent composed of business writers and columnists that was invited by SCG Group, one of the leading conglomerates in Thailand went on a trip to the countryside to visit our host’s paper mill that was located west of their bustling city.

It was to be a two-hour trip aboard a large tourist bus, which after almost half an hour of traveling I noticed that we have not made any stop in any intersection. At first I thought it was simply because we were on a toll way. But then I said it could not have been a toll way as I could see the highway lined with different kinds of business establishments on both sides.

It was at that point that I concentrated on the road to find out what Thailand, long-time known for its horrendous traffic in downtown Bangkok, was doing right in its public highways to have this non-stop drive.

The answer was simple and something that’s not alien to us, especially the metro dwellers – u-turns.

But the u-turns in Thailand are properly and safely engineered and correctly situated.

Their secondary roads that lead to the different towns along the highway do not cross the main highway, which accounts for the non-stop travel. What a driver should do should their be a need to cross the highway is to turn into the highway and “gradually” ease the vehicle to the innermost lane until a u-turn slot is reached and make the u-turn “safely” and than “slowly” transfer to the outermost lane and into the secondary road.

Now, why the words “gradually” and “slowly”?

To begin with, all the u-turns, unlike the ones here in the metro, are not near the intersection thereby giving the motorist enough time to blend into the lanes until the u-turn slot is reached. Here, we have the u-turn slots very near the intersections, which make the drivers force themselves to immediately change lanes, lest they miss the u-turn slot.

Now, “safely” because their u-turn slots do not have barriers jutting out from the center islands, instead another lane is carved out of the center island so that even before you make your u-turn you are already in another lane without disrupting the smooth flow of traffic. This traffic engineering makes all the u-turn slots very safe and do not hinder the flow of traffic, which is why they are there in the first place. But in our metropolis the u-turn slots are unsafe and disrupt the flow of traffic. What gives?

Maybe all the MMDA needs is just “One night in Bangkok” to learn all these.

The impressive all-new  Subaru Impreza

I first saw the all-new Subaru Impreza during my last trip to Singapore when a couple of Philippine motoring journalists were invited by Motor Image Pilipinas to experience first-hand how it was to be riding with professional WRC rally drivers aboard actual honest-to-goodness rally-prepared Subaru Cars on an off-road track that’s specially designed to replicate actual road conditions during grueling rally competitions.

I knew then that in a couple of months the same impressive third generation model would be launched in the country, so as a courtesy to our hosts I decided to hold on to the info.

Well, it’s finally here on our country’s shores and officially launched in what’s turning out to be a favorite launching venue of many local automobile manufacturers and distributors – One Esplanade at the Mall of Asia complex in President Diosdado Macapagal highway.

The mere presence of Singapore-based Group Chief Executive of Motor Image Enterprises, Glenn Tan during the launch, was a clear indication of the importance of its Philippine distributorship, which according to his speech is regarded as one of the more dynamic and progressive in the region – thanks to the indefatigable Robin & Robin team of Nicky Mariano and Ariel de Jesus, general manager and marketing manager of Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. respectively.

“We believe the new Impreza will further establish our brand as the most distinct and desirable in Asia. This model will lead the growth of Subaru and Motor Image to new heights,” said the youthful executive and heir-apparent to the Singapore-based Tan Chong International Limited business conglomerate (automotive, manufacturing, trading and property investment) who came casually dressed during the event attended by members of the media, VIP customers and business partners.

The all-new Impreza comes in three variants and two engine options – the 2.0R – Sport manual and the 2.0R – Sport; and the WRX 2.5 Turbo that all come in a 5-door hatchback body.

The new Subaru Boxer 2.0 liter DOHC engine boasts of 150 horsepower and 196Nm of torque. While the WRX still features the famed Subaru Boxer 2.5 liter DOHC 16-valve engine. Both engine variants are mated to the unique Subaru symmetrical AWD (all-wheel-drive) system that’s vaunted to provide perfect balance to all four wheels at all times.

Nicky and Ariel, the dynamic duo of the local auto industry will be more than glad to give you a test drive of their new “winner” at their Subaru Showroom located along EDSA near Ortigas Avenue.

Goodyear’s Ride & Drive in Pattaya

Members of the motoring media from different countries in the ASEAN region recently gathered in Pattaya, Thailand for the tire launch and demonstration of the Wrangler High-Performance, All-Weather (HP AW) tire by Goodyear.

Local motoring journalists were invited by Goodyear Philippines president and managing director Dave Morin with Goodyear’s regional marketing manager, Ron Castro hosting them in Thailand during the 3-day trip from November 19 to 21.

Sunshine TV’s vice president for production, Jenny Bleza, who was there to represent Motoring Today and Auto Focus, made an account of the extensive tests and exercises, which the invited media went through that demonstrated the superior attributes of the Wrangler HP AW against leading competitors.

Some of the demonstrations included the Pass-by noise that demonstrated the performance of the Goodyear tire and a leading competitor where the Goodyear tire showed a lower noise level when it was driven at a constant speed of 40 kph with their noise level recorded in a microphone. There was also the internal noise management, which similarly registered a lower noise level for the Goodyear tire. A wet braking test also showed the Goodyear Wrangler HP AW coming up with a shorter braking distance than its leading competitor in a wet surface. The Goodyear Wrangler HP AW also showed impressive class-leading performance against its leading competitors in high speed, wet lateral grip and slalom tests.

According to Goodyear executives the Wrangler HP AW tire is created for luxury SUV drivers who drive mostly on the road and positioned to take advantage of the growing popularity of the upscale SUV market. It is bannered to feature the latest in tread design providing outstanding on-road performance that result in excellent ride comfort and quietness.

A simple but very meaningful tribute

The invitation for lunch at one of the leading restaurants at the Fort Global City came at a very short notice. But considering that it was coming from a close friend and the invitees were indeed limited to the immediate family and very close friends of the honoree and considering further that the honoree was a long-time dear friend of mine (he’s actually my Kumpadre, being the godfather of my daughter Kristine with my wife Baby even calling him Dad), I dropped everything just to be present.

Petron Corporation’s dynamic marketing group lead by Joey Campos, Lito de Jesus, Mon del Rosario and the indefatigable Charmaine Canillas came in full force to take time out to give recognition to the immeasurable efforts of the country’s “racing living legend” Jose Pocholo Ramirez to support the various projects of the country’s leading oil company.

It was a brief but very meaningful and poignant speech that Joey made in presenting token gifts to show their appreciation for everything that Pocholo has done and still doing for Petron – from the organization and promotion of the Subic International Raceway races that Petron fully sponsors to the record-setting eco-runs of their fuels. My inseparable co-host in our TV show Motoring Today, who’s facing his life’s biggest battle with his present medical condition couldn’t help to be emotional during the very simple but deeply meaningful ceremony.

On behalf of my partner – thank you Petron for the gracious and evocative gesture.

Happy Motoring!!!

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