Text in and be tracked

There’s another innovative project that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is experimenting on, which the populace seems to welcome and wishes to be further expanded, in contrast to some that have been proven to be unpopular but have stayed on for unexplained reasons, like the much maligned u-turns.

The ‘Trip Tracker’ is introduced by MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando to secure people who take public transport by logging the vehicles’ description, body number and plate number for possible future reference or tracking should something untoward happens to the commuter.

In an interview I had with MMDA executive, Angelito Vergel de Dios on the segment Motoring Forum of the long-running TV show Motoring Today, the executive director for traffic operations described how the system works. All a commuter has to do upon riding on the public utility vehicle is to text his or her name and the particulars of the vehicle. All these information would be logged into a central file and can be easily accessed should there be a need to track the said vehicle

This is indeed a laudable undertaking of the MMDA, if only to deter criminal acts by the mere knowledge of the system’s existence and implementation. The system can also help expedite the recovery of items left in public transports.

Chevrolet automobile owners rejoice!

A couple of months back, Atty. Albert Arcilla, president and CEO of Viking Cars, exclusive country distributors of Volvo automobiles made a surprise call just to inform me that he would soon be handling the reins of a new company (also under the extensive business mantel of tycoon Richard Lee), which would be handling the exclusive and independent distribution of Chevrolet cars and parts in the country.

Knowing the more than three decades of Richard’s success in the Philippine automotive industry handling multi premier brands like Volvo, Hyundai and Nissan, which would further be combined with Albert’s 15 years of valuable experience in the motoring industry, I can only feel happy for the thousands of present owners of Chevrolet automobiles, quite a number of whom have expressed dissatisfaction to the handling of their after sales services. I can also feel the anticipated satisfaction of many of my peers in the motoring beat who felt that they were dealt with in sub-standard manner by previous PR handler of the brand.

Well, it happened last Wednesday, November 11 – the official launch and appointment of Chevrolet Philippines – The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), signed by Mr. Steve Carlisle, president of General Motors Southeast Asia Operations and General Motors Thailand, Mr. Antonio Zara, vice president, ASEAN vehicle sales, marketing and after sales and top TCCCI executives lead by Mr. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Atty. Albert B. Arcilla for the exclusive distributorship of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines.

The Covenant Car Company Inc. is a 100% Filipino-owned corporation that’s being headed by Mr. Richard Lee as Chairman Emeritus. For its Chairman of the Board they have former governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and current vice chairman of The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company, Mr. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., with former GM country manager, Mr. James Lim as a member of the board (welcome back, James), executive director, Ms. Selene Yu and Atty. Albert B. Arcilla as managing director and COO.

Chevrolet Philippines will continue to distribute a full line of Chevrolet products from the sub-compact Spark, Aveo Sedan, Optra wagon, Captiva and Tahoe to the full size SUV, the Chevy Suburban.

Congratulations to TCCCI and to our good friend Albert, my very best as you continue facing tough but surmountable challenges.        

It’s not a bus or a jeep, it’s a “BEEP”

According to the Department of Transportation & Communication (DOTC) there are currently around 400,000 units of jeepneys in the country and 70,000 of these are plying in Metro Manila, which cause 50% of pollution in the metropolis. Most of these jeepneys can only accommodate a limited number of passengers, which accounts for its huge number to service the transport needs of metro denizens. But then there are also too many toxic fume-spewing buses that add to the pollution not to mention the huge space they occupy on the road while running half-empty during most of the day.

Enter the “BEEP” (Bus-Jeep), a micro sized bus, which is suitable for crowded cities such as Metro Manila, designed for the primary purpose of modernizing the metro’s public transport.  

A collaboration of Almazora Motors Corporation, which locally designs and manufactures the body and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC), which supplies the chassis and engine using brand new FUSO Canter light duty truck that complies fully with the current Euro emission standard and Philippine safety regulations, the “BEEP” has a capacity of 26 passengers (seating 18 including driver and standing for 8). 

The “BEEP” has been designed to target the new commuting passengers who are expected to shift from private to public transport as fuel costs are projected to become higher in the future. These new group of commuters are anticipated to require public transport that are better than the current buses and jeepneys and are willing to pay higher fares for better service. 

This newly-designed vehicle purposely for public commuting is initially priced at around P1.6 million. Its double revenue potential for having more seating capacity produces a faster Return of Investment (ROI) compared to jeepneys. And because the BEEP utilizes entirely new truck chassis, vehicle financing is possible thru banks.

According to Mr. Masahiko Ueki, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines president and CEO, “MMPC aims to fulfill its role as an automotive industry mover in the Philippine economy and society through the introduction of the BEEP.”

The BEEP will be available for sale by the end of this month.

A tandem of Sport Crosssovers from Mazda

The Mazda CX-7 and the 2010 Mazda CX-9 were simultaneously unveiled to the motoring media last Thursday, November 12.

“With Mazda’s reputation of providing cars that bring a greater pride of ownership and style, we are proud to unveil today not one, but a pair of globally acclaimed sport crossovers that blend the athletic attributes of a sports car with those of a SUV carrying with it advanced emotional styling, outstanding features and exceptional handling,” said Steven Tan, vice president for marketing and sales of Mazda Philippines.

The Mazda CX-7 features reduced weight and height compared to its big brother the CX-9 to allow for better drivability and handling, while its larger width and length compared to competitors in the segment is designed to ensure a larger cabin and spaciousness.

It is equipped with 2.5 litre engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission with an all-independent suspension.

The CX-7, which is priced at P1,495,000 has quite an impressive array of high tech safety features like Dynamic Control Stability (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS) that automatically reduces driveline torque to help restore traction.

Meanwhile, its highly luxurious big brother, the Mazda CX-9 is powered by 3.7-litre V6 engine in tandem with an Aisin-supplied 6-speed Sport AT automatic transmission with manual mode as standard equipment.

For better-enhanced drivability the P2.899 million CX-9 has Mazda’s Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive, which rapidly adjusts to changing traction needs by monitoring wheel slippage, steering angle, yaw rate, lateral acceleration and available driveline torque.

Safety of the Mazda CX-9 is highlighted by an advanced Roll Stability Control (RSC) system that uses both body roll rate and wheel speed sensors to determine when corrective action is necessary. Traction Control System (TCS) on the other hand is also part of the safety package together with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), which automatically applies one or more brakes to minimize under or over steer during emergency maneuvers.

Just reading the unique features of this tandem of new market offerings from Mazda Philippines may not do justice to them as compared to seeing them up close and driving them. Check out this pair of Mazda crossover SUVs at any of their showrooms located all over the country.

By the way, during the launch we had the opportunity to be with Ford Philippines vice president for customer service, Mr. Dave “Mr. Mac” Macasadia. The soft-spoken Ford’s “go-to-guy” for customer satisfaction has assured all owners of flood-damaged Ford vehicles that no efforts are being spared to ensure that these vehicles would be available to you at the soonest possible time. And I can assure you that you can take Mr. Mac’s word for it.

DMax shines in off-road and no-road test drive

A select group of motoring journalists just flew in last Monday night for a 3-day test drive of the Isuzu DMax in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

For a while I thought the last off-road / no-road test drive I had 2 years ago in Thailand near its border with Burma was an experience tough to equal until this recent experience I had with the Isuzu DMax. Although similarly through the forest, we did this one on a moonless night.

Being an Isuzu event, the tough and physically-demanding test drive came with all the trimmings of a memorable R&R for all the members of the motoring media invited. Aside from a pre-arranged pay-per-view of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight in a far-flung mountain-resort hotel (which was another memorable riotous story to tell), it also included a mountain trek to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia – but only for those who not only had strong hearts but similarly strong legs – and you guessed right, I went with the group of sightseers who had the tougher task of sampling what Malaysia had to offer in terms of gastronomical delights. 

I’ll have more of this exciting and memorable Isuzu Philippines Corporation out-of-the-country event next week.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments: (E-Mail) [email protected].