The clean and cleaning diesel from Caltex

During a mid afternoon briefing where selected members of the motoring media were invited together with some of the major players in the Philippine land transport business, Chevron Philippines Inc., proud marketer and owner of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants announced the introduction of Caltex Diesel with Techron D, a new improved diesel fuel, which contains the exclusive Techron D additive.

The casual meeting, which was masterfully emceed by Caltex brand marketing specialist, Ichkoy de Leon presented Chevron’s product engineering manager, Greg Engeler, to explain in detail how Caltex Diesel with Techron D has been proven to control deposits, help maintain fuel injector cleanliness and support optimum engine performance.

Greg, a chemist and member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) elucidated that, “In a diesel engine, keeping the fuel injectors clean is critical as these are prone to deposits. Deposits can upset the injector spray pattern and hinder the fuel-air mixing process resulting in decreased fuel economy and increased emissions especially in the very latest diesel engines with fuel injector holes as small as the width of two strands of human hair”.

He further explained graphically that the product benefits of Caltex Diesel with Techron D are supported by extensive testing and research. In engine and laboratory tests, Caltex Diesel with Techron D was proven to:

• Produce cleaner fuel injectors with more flow

• Maintain cleaner fuel injectors and deliver more power

• Protect metal surfaces against corrosion

• Produce less foam resulting in a cleaner and faster fill

According to this Australian fuel expert, Chevron tested Techron D in both old and new diesel engines, as well as in a range of diesel specifications including biodiesel blends, and it has proven to work well in all conditions ensuring that the new diesel fuel is suitable for all diesel vehicles and meets Philippine diesel quality standards as well as Chevron’s strict quality standards for all Caltex fuels.

The launch of Caltex Diesel with Techron D is part of Chevron’s strategy to offer differentiated, quality fuel products to motorists. It is also in response to expected growth in diesel demand, which is expected to grow the most out of all transport fuels and will continue to make up nearly one third of all fuel volume in the region over the next six years.

 “Businesses are operating in a challenging economic environment now and many diesel drivers are hardworking motorists who rely on their vehicles for a living. We believe that the new Caltex Diesel with Techron D with its proven cleaning power will result in cleaner engines and cleaner engines perform better,” the youthful Caltex Brand Manager,Dominic Timbancaya said during the briefing.

Present during the exclusive event, which was scheduled a day before the formal launch of Caltex Diesel with Techron D was Mr. Jim Meynink, the new Chevron Country Chairman and General Manager – Retail/C&I Philippines. Having checked in to the country only last February and coming fresh from a Capetown, South Africa posting, Jim was a picture of pleasant eagerness while meeting the members of the Philippine motoring media.

This new diesel fuel from Caltex has been made available in Chevron service stations nationwide since the last week of August.

Isuzu’s 12th Inaugural Anniversary

As records would show Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has been celebrating its anniversaries by taking part in environmental projects. And this year as they mark their 12th inaugural anniversary, consistent since 2003, the celebrations do not come in form of parties but by giving back to society by way of another environmental project.

In partnership with Haribon Foundation in its “Road to 2020” campaign, which aims to restore one million hectares of the country’s rainforests by the year 2020, IPC is donating 5,000 native tree species to various rainforests in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The project officially commenced last Thursday, September 3 in Caliraya where 3,000 seedlings were planted by executives of IPC, officers of Haribon, National Power Corporation – the government agency in charge of the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed “rainforestation” project and the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) and other members of the motoring media. In honor of IPC’s 12th anniversary, a dozen native tree species were handpicked for this project.

During the laborious but highly-spirited tree-planting rites, IPC senior VP Art Balmadrid, in between planting his favorite narra and alibangbang seedlings, traced back the past environmental and socially relevant projects that IPC have engaged in, which included; 2003 – donating a river garbage trap to Santa Rosa, Laguna as well as seeding 10,000 tilapia fingerlings to Laguna Lake, 2004 – donating a 2-classroom building to Biñan National High School, 2005 – initiate the creation of a man-made forest strip in Antimonan, Quezon by donating and helping plant 15,000 narra seedlings, 2006 – went mangrove-planting in Pangasinan to contribute to the protection of a five-hectare mangrove area in Hundred Islands and in addition donated environmental signs and planted 500 flowering trees in Alaminos, 2007 – donating flowering plants, vicinity maps and environmental messages and waste receptacles to National Parks all over the country and last year in 2008 – supporting the Save the La Mesa Watershed project thru maintenance of 11 hectares of trees.

In his speech during the simple rites marking the event IPC president Mr. Keiji Takeda said, “As you can see, we have been very active in environmental campaigns for many years now and we intend to sustain this commitment to Mother Nature. Which is why for anniversary this year, we are again donating 5,000 seedlings and environmental markers to help the nationwide reforestation project of Haribon Foundation, not only in Caliraya but also in Cebu and Surigao. We share in your vision to restore one million hectares of the Philippines’ rainforests by the year 2020, proving that all of us – whether we’re in business, private or government sector – need to act now if we are to save our planet and its natural resources.”

Congratulations to Isuzu Philippines Corporation for their unwonted task of remarkably meeting up to their “corporate social responsibility” and on their 12th year of meaningful existence here in the country.

A big celebration for Top Gear magazine

Top Gear editor-in-chief and SPMJ founding member Vernon Sarne was “punong abala” during the distinguished auto magazine’s 5th anniversary party held last Friday, September 4 at the NBC Tent.

Having to welcome and greet all the guests, which practically consist of the “who’s who” in the local automotive industry and the motoring media that came in full force, Vernon delegated the program’s speaking chores to Top Gear publisher Chad Rosario and editors Botchi Santos and Dinzo Tabamo.

A bunch of the soon-to-be-launched BMW Mini Coopers of our good friend Willy Tee Ten dominated the entrance of the venue with band music blaring from lead guest band performers – The Dawn.

Highlight of the celebration was a trivia contest that gave away fabulous prizes.

Top Gear – great at 5.

Voting ends September 30

As the final weeks of voting for the 2009 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards unfold there appears to be a mad rush by auto manufacturers and distributors to encourage their customers to cast their votes for the vehicles they own. A move that’s hoped to counter the “aspirational” votes or those votes cast for vehicles aspired by the public over those cast for vehicles actually owned and being used by the voters. Whichever the voting leans on, it would still bring out what’s the country’s most popular in each category and the “most popular automobile” among the lot, whether by ownership and use or by aspiration.

And judging by the way the voting is going it’s the ballots from the publications that appear to dictate the winning automobiles for this year.

If you would check the present “consolidated tally” at the voting website www.autofocus.com.ph, ballots from The Philippine STAR, which carry a weight factor of x3 and those from Top Gear and Speed magazines that are equivalent to 5 votes each influence the rankings not only in the “auto of the year” tally but in the “models of the year” rankings as well. SMS votes through FM station Magic 89.9 that have a weight factor of x2 are expected to have a surge in the latter part of the voting. Of course the good old online voting, which is counted as one vote each comes steadily.

The announcement of the prizes for the Grand Raffle scheduled after the polls for those who cast their votes, which include a “free overnight stay with breakfast” at the Vistamar Beach Resort and Hotel located in Anilao, Batangas (reputedly a diver’s haven) and “loot bags” from Goodyear Philippines for at least 20 lucky voters has also spurred a lot of voting. After all, each vote is equivalent to one entry to the Grand Raffle, so the more votes cast, the higher are the chances of winning. And any voter can win as many times as his or her name is electronically drawn.

The 2009 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards is brought to you in cooperation with Goodyear Philippines and now together with Caltex with major media partners The Philippine STAR, Top Gear Magazine, Speed Magazine, Solar Sports and Magic 89.9.

Motoring Tip of the Week

Our tip for this week is by way of information, which we would like to pass on to you to possibly improve your driving and riding skills and make you safer automobile drivers or motorbike riders on the road. Mr. Arnel Doria, the general manager of the Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC), run by a non-profit foundation whose advocacy is to promote road safety recently informed us about their new “100 minutes” road safety courses for both automobile drivers and motorcycle riders.

Riding control exercises – Made for bikers who want better control over two-wheelers, while making tricky turns like a figure 8, a crank (90-degree) and S-courses.

Off-road program – Designed for motorcycle riders who want to improve their riding and handling ability on a dirt track with repeated exercises on loose and uneven surface.

Big bike riding exercises – HSDC teaches the rider how to control and maneuver large-displacement motorcycles through various exercises on a simulated road course.

Parking Exercises – Reduce the risk of getting dents and paint scratches and be more confident when parking with this HSDC course.

Wet and emergency braking course – This program teaches motorcycle riders and car drivers how to brake during an emergency on a simulated wet road surface. Students learn to avoid wheel-lock, particularly on vehicles with no ABS, and to deal with a skidding car or motorcycle.

Night driving exercises – HSDC conducts this under controlled conditions to familiarize drivers, particularly the new ones, with the challenges of night-time driving like temporary blindness due bright headlights from approaching vehicles.

You can check out HSDC, which is located at Km. 17, East Service Road, near the SLEX Bicutan exit, Parañaque City with tel. 838-08-14.

Happy Motoring!!!

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