Horse or carriage dilemma

The proverbial question of “which comes first, the horse or the carriage” surely does not apply to the issue surrounding the bringing in of vehicles that can use cheaper alternative fuels.

Judging by the one-on-one interviews we have conducted with top Japanese auto executives during the past Tokyo Motor Shows that we have attended, the willingness to gamble on whether the market can afford the high price of these “hybrid” vehicles would not be a great consideration if the infrastructure of supplying the alternative fuel were in place.

Truly, what advantage would one have using a “hybrid” vehicle that uses less expensive fuel if you would have to travel long distances just to have your tank filled. One would probably use more fuel doing so than what have been saved.

Aside from the infrastructure being in place, the government can also help hasten the popular use of these vehicles by granting tax perks to those that are willing to assemble them in the country or even just put up the operations to bring them in.

Tax grants to bring down the costs of these “hybrid” vehicles and infrastructure to supply their alternative fuel accessibly and conveniently are the most important factors needed to be present to promote the popular their use and lessen our use and dependence on imported fuels.

A “techie” Journey by Dodge

Consider the following – electronic all-wheel drive, a fluid six-speed transmission with Auto Stick, 30-gigabite hard drive and real-time traffic monitoring, ParkView Rear Back-up Camera, “uconnect” phone system that is Bluetooth compatible, a Universal Customer Interface (UCI) for iPod connectivity – all these in the newly launched all-new Dodge Journey.

The CATS Motors Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep showroom in Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati City was the launch venue of what Felix Ang, president of CATS Motors refers to as “a right-sized crossover that combines the versatility of a larger sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with the efficiency of a passenger car – the Dodge Journey”.

“To address safety issues, the Dodge Journey has more than 35 advanced safety and security technologies available and a Five Star government front-and-side crash test rating that delivers peace of mind for its passengers,” added Felix, the highly-respected auto industry tycoon.

Having been distracted by a bevy of voluptuous dancing girls who were eagerly introduced by CATS Motors’ “spin master” Emy Arcilla and “partly” arranged (burrowing his own words) by marketing honcho Andros Villaraza, I can only remember the information about the new market offering that were passed on to me by my friend Felix and what I read in their very impressive brochure.

But I would strongly suggest that you check out the Dodge Journey yourself at the CATS Motors showroom, but sorry, minus the dancing girls.

A muddied multi-million peso SUV

It was “no-holds barred” off-road driving for the motoring media and those invited to the Porsche Cayenne Festival held at McKinley Hill Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last weekend.

All those who went also had the chance to meet and know the driving exploits and experiences of Mr. Eddie Keng, “Transsyberian” team driver and Porsche driving instructor.

The term “Transsyberian” stands for the intercontinental rally from Moscow to the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator about 7,200 kilometers away. In 2006 a Porsche Cayenne for the first time won this highly demanding orientation and off-road rally. Then entering the competition model for the Transsyberian Rally in 2007, Porsche again proved the outstanding competitiveness of a production-based Cayenne S in heavy terrain, finishing the rally 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Well, it was really a baptism of mud that the Porsche Cayenne had and how it passed the test with flying colors. I decided to be just a passenger instead of driving myself and gambling on the possibility of getting this remarkable SUV stuck and the prospect of going down to the mud and spoiling my signature shoes. Well, it got stuck, deliberately I guess by the professional driver I was with, but lo and behold, using its traction control and a lot of high tech this and that, we got off and with what ease.

Congratulations to my friend, Robert Coyuito, Jr., chairman of PGA Cars, the exclusive distributors of Porsche in the country, for this very successful demonstration of what the Porsche Cayenne is – not just an expensive SUV, but a truly remarkable one.

2008 Italian F1 GP highlights

If you missed watching the Italian Formula One Grand Prix “live” coverage last Sunday, you can still catch the exciting highlights on Race Weekend, the exciting weekly segment on the TV show Motoring Today, which features the coverage of local and international motor sports events.

The weekly motoring guide shall also have 6-time World Bowling Champion and Guinness Book record-holder Paeng Nepomoceno’s friendly advice for all drivers on the weekly Payong Tsuper segment on the proper use of horns to minimize noise pollution in the Metro.

Now for those of you who are just learning to ride motor bikes or contemplating on having it as a regular mode of transport, the Bike World portion’s weekly Riding Tips shall dwell on the proper riding posture.

We’ll also have a fuel technical expert on our Motoring Forum portion to talk about the E10 fuel, to address the apprehensions of some vehicle owners regarding its regular use while frequently asked questions about the diesel engine’s Intercooler shall be answered on the Auto IQ segment.

Those are just some of the informative inputs, aside from the regular news updates on the country’s transport sector and traffic management in the Metro, that shall come your way on the recognized “motoring authority” on Philippine television, Motoring Today.

You have a choice as to when to watch the show – Saturday on NBN, Channel 4 at 11 o’clock in the morning or of Solar Sports, on Global Destiny cable channel on Sunday, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Free Riding lessons

According to our good friend Arnel Doria, who now runs the Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC) as a public service to provide road safety education, they are offering FREE Safety Riding Seminar to motorbike users “of any brand”.

The offer is good every Tuesday, September 23 and 29 from 3 to 4 pm at HSDC located at Km 17, East Service Road, SLEX, Bicutan.

This is one opportunity that is a “must” to grab.

Motoring Tip of the Week

Our tip for this week is especially for those who use the e-pass in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

If you are entering the SLEX anywhere between the main toll plazas like through Bicutan or Sucat, make sure that your e-pass electronically registers your point of entry. Your entry is recorded when you hear an electronic sound and the lighting up of the green light. If the exact point of entry were not registered, the system would presume that you entered through either of the main toll plazas depending on your direction. If you notice there is no electronic sound or lights in the main entry points.

So make sure your hear the electronic sound and see the green light before proceeding.

Happy Motoring!!!

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