Re-evaluation of U-turns

The new man at the helm of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), chairman Oscar Inocentes, had reportedly issued recently an order to make the u-turns in the metro a lot safer than they were before.

I guess with this development the “hard-headed” philosophy that the MMDA had maintained in the past – “these u-turns are immovable and therefore any driver that hits them has the problem, and not the u-turn structure” – would no longer be the mantra of the traffic managers of the metro.

Most of the accidents involving the u-turn structures happened at night. But of course there were also a lot during the day. One of the most common causes of these accidents is the driver’s unfamiliarity with the traffic engineering configuration of the area. We must realize that with the advent of the u-turns in the metropolis the driving standards have radically changed. The fast lane, which is usually the innermost or leftmost lane, has reversed to the rightmost lane. This is simple because if you stay on the left lane most of the time, sooner or later you would encounter a u-turn slot and would have to change lanes in order to continue with your travel. So motorists tend to stay on the rightmost lane for an unimpeded drive.

It has been reported that visibility of these u-turn structures would be improved and that’s a long time coming. The MMDA can learn a thing or two from the people in charge of the safety of the construction going on at the SLEX. They use reflectors that indeed glow in the dark like there were really lights, which effectively caution and guide motorists along the way. In most of the present traffic engineering structures of the MMDA that need motorists’ caution, the reflector paint being used does not glow in the dark in whatever color it comes – inutile.

The move to install directional signs way before the u-turn structures can help a lot in safely informing motorists, but then these signs should be big enough to ensure visibility. And isn’t it about time we follow the international standards of traffic signs? The MMDA should now recognize (I would like presume that they actually know) the internationally accepted standards of traffic signs and not go into any whimsical color and shape preference. They should recognize the fact that the color, shape, size, placement, etc., of traffic signs all have intended purposes and uses. Like there are specific colors and shape for directional signs, a specific color and shape for warning signs and other international standard specifications that are contained in an international agreement or treaty, of which the Philippines is a signatory – or didn’t they know?

It appears on record that there are about (my goodness!) 38 u-turns all over the metro and I strongly feel that many of them should go, that is if the present management similarly believes that they should stay.

The criteria of the present leadership of the MMDA on which of these u-turns should stay are based on safety and not function or effectiveness. Well, at least that’s a good start.

A milestone for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines

With no less than the president of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC Japan), Mr. Osamu Masuko in attendance, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) marked a very important milestone in its 45 years of operation in the Philippines.

I’m sure many of you still remember automobile models like the Dodge Colt, Minica F4, Lancer, and Cimarron. These are joined recently by present MMPC locally manufactured models like the Adventure, L300 cab and chassis, L300 Versa Van, Fuso light and medium duty trucks and bus chassis.

Now, since MMPC started assembly operations way back in 1964 known then as Chrysler Corporation, it has achieved its 500,000th unit cumulative production.

Four and a half decades later MMPC counts within its extensive product line up remarkable models like the Pajero, Montero Sport, Outlander, Lancer, Galant, Grandis, Strada, Fuzion and Canter & Fuso trucks and bus.

The big celebration, which was held at Makati Shangri-La hotel last Thursday, December 10, had for its guest of honor and keynote speaker former President Fidel V. Ramos, who was also joined by DTI Usec Elmer Hernandez.

Marking the 500,000th cumulative production milestone was the roll-off of the Lancer EX model, first introduced last year by MMPC as a completely built-up unit (CBU). “The addition of the Lancer EX in MMPC production signifies that MMPC is ready to meet the highest quality standards that MMC (Japan) has set for the Lancer EX,” confidently declared Mr. Masuko, Mitsubishi’s top management executive who flew in from Japan for the event.

The celebration also marked some recent outstanding feats of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. Aside from the unprecedented growth at 29% (YTD) that it registered at a time when most automobile companies in the region are reeling from the effects of the global recession, MMPC this year has topped both J.D. Power Asia Pacific Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) a combined tribute to its customers’ total satisfaction to its brand of service. MMPC with presently 41 outlets nationwide also now boasts of having the most extensive network in the local automotive industry.

Just before the actual event, I had the chance to have a one-on-one on-camera interview with “the” top man of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Masuko-san and the very amiable and articulate president again reiterated his assurance that there are no plans for Mitsubishi to disrupt the operations of its manufacturing operations in the Philippines despite the advantages of a tariff-less trade that the AFTA and now the Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (JEPEPA) both offer. He dispelled the fears of local labor about this remote possibility of a plant shut-down for a shift to local importation of CBUs in order to maximize the benefits of the agreement.

To lend more credence to the pronouncement, MMPC has been aggressively pioneering advancements in the different manufacturing processes. They were supposed to be the first to bring to the Philippines the state-of-the-art Japanese automotive painting technology. The Cathodic Electro Deposition Process primer painting system replicates the painting process used by automotive manufacturers in Japan today. Another major advancement was the setting up of an Automated Spray Machine, which applies the paint primer and top coat consistently.

“Mitsubishi Motors Philippines has been resilient and has persisted uninterrupted manufacturing and marketing activities through periods of difficulty including the economic crisis of the early 80s. Through periods of recovery and growth, MMPC has expanded and has been aggressively pioneering advancements in the different manufacturing processes,” said Mr. Masuko. “In its long history, MMPC has been a partner with the government in the development of the Philippine automotive industry and a positive force in supplying the vehicle demand of the economy,” Masuko-san added.

In the exclusive interview, which we shall be airing on our TV shows, Motoring Today and Auto Focus on a later date, Mr. Masuko also discussed the on-going research and development of Mitsubishi Motors on engines that run on bio-fuel. This is in response to my observation that the present thrust of Mitsubishi on further developing environment-friendly electric cars may not be as significant to developing countries like the Philippines that have high cost of electricity compared to the development of hybrid or fully bio-fuel vehicles. He also mentioned that Mitsubishi Motors is also deep into the research and development of vehicles using CNG or Compressed Natural Gas, which the Philippines have reserves of.

Must-watch TV Specials

If you’re a motoring enthusiast or automobile buff a series of TV specials have been lined up by Sunshine Television (STV) in the next weeks.

Auto Focus (Thursday, 10 pm, Channel 13 on Sky and Channel 9 on Destiny) the highlights of the following events and dates of airing: Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards Night – December 24, Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo – December 31, 41st Tokyo Motor Show – January 7.

Motoring Today (Sunday, 4 pm Solar Sports, Destiny cable) – The Year That Was in Motoring featuring the significant issues in 2009 discussed on the Motoring Forum segment and the highlights of the 2009 World Formula One Series.

Mark the dates and don’t miss any of them.

Happy Motoring!!!

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