A premium compact from BMW

The largest market segment in terms of sales is reputedly that of the compacts. And now BMW boasts of setting a new benchmark in the compact segment with the recent launch of the BMW X1, a BMW X model in the premium class of the compacts.

The launch of the BMW X1 last Thursday, January 28 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati also proved to be a testimony to the prestigious European automaker’s recognition of the country’s importance in the region considering that the Philippines has been chosen to be the first to offer this remarkable new model in Southeast Asia.

During my on-camera chat with Mr. Bobby Rosales, president of Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC) during the launch, he expressed his confidence on the model’s acceptance in the market if only for its versatility, “The BMW X1 brings together the features typical of a Sports Utility Vehicle with the driving characteristics, dynamic performance and outstanding fuel economy and emission management of the BMW 1 Series.”

Initially, ACC shall offer the BMW X1 xDrive2od with a diesel engine with common-rail fuel injection and turbocharger with variable intake geometry that delivers 130 kW/177hp with drivetrain technology comprising the intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Although the smallest among the BMW X variants, the rear compartment of the BMW X1 is considered spacious as it offers three full-sized seats, the three-piece rear-seat backrest adjustable for folding down completely to increase luggage capacity.

Curious about how an “all-Filipino” team is performing after the full management of BMW in the country was given back to the original group that ran it under the leadership of business tycoon Jose “Pepito” Alvarez, I asked Bobby this during our TV interview and he could only humbly say that the sales of ACC has done very well despite the challenging times that the industry as well as the country and the whole world experienced in the immediate past years. Although modestly said I can only surmise that, “Yes, the Pinoys can – and even better!”

Welcome Mich-san

It was an “on-time”, semi-formal turnover ceremony that Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) had last January 25, Monday at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati. The invitation said seven o’clock in the evening and I came in at about seven-fifteen thinking that I was a bit early for the usual “Filipino time” start of events only to find out that it already started at the time it was meant to start. Its “Japanese time” said TMPC vp for management services, Atty. Rommel Gutierrez as he welcomed me by the registration table that was filled with very pretty usherettes. Come to think of it, was that why you were there, Rommel – the lovely ladies?

The “coat & tie” affair, which saw some of the “movers and shakers” of the Philippine automotive industry in attendance was the formal turnover of the management reins of TMPC from outgoing president, for four distinguished years, Mr. Hiroshi Ito to incoming head Mr. Michinobu Sugata. Industry top guns that I spotted during the cocktails that marked the event included Mr. Rick Baker, president of Ford Group Philippines, Mr. Keiji Takeda, president of Isuzu Philippines Corp., Truck Manufacturers Association president and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines senior vp Mel Dizon and CAMPI president and Universal Motors evp Beth Lee. Aside from myself, the only other motoring media I saw was Al “Sir Paul” Mendoza, motoring columnist of the Business-Mirror.

I learned from Lexus-Manila president Danny “Sir Paul” Isla that the incoming president is not new in the country or with Toyota Philippines having served as head comptroller of TMPC some ten years ago. “Having known him and worked with him before, I can say that our new president, aside from being very capable to lead TMPC, is indeed a regular guy and you can expect him to be very visible in many of the coming Toyota activities with the media,” was the unsolicited testimonial that Danny, the consummate “Beatles lover” offered. This observation was seconded by Vince Socco, himself a former top marketing honcho of TMPC who’s now Singapore-based, senior vp, area operations division of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, who was also there for the grand occasion. He also gladly added that Mr. Sugata is also fondly called “Mich” by friends and close associates.

I was fortunate to have an exclusive on-camera interview, for our TV shows Motoring Today, Auto Focus and Business & Leisure with outgoing president, Mr. Hiroshi Ito and incoming TMPC head honcho Mr. Michinobo Sugata during this well-attended industry event. Ito-san said that he looks forward to the new challenges that await him in Japan but cannot deny that he would miss the Philippines. On the other hand, Mich-san beams with confidence on the members of the TMPC team as they work closely together to continue Toyota’s sterling performance and prestigious presence in the country.

Welcome to the Philippines and all the best to you, Mich-san.

And indeed he’s a regular guy!

A few days after the formal “changing of the guard” at Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, the traditional “Thanksgiving Party for the Media” was held last Friday, January 29 at the Blue Leaf in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.

Instead of holding a Christmas Party for the motoring media together with all the get-togethers hosted by the rest of the auto industry in party-crowded December, TMPC has been customarily bringing the motoring journalists together in January to express its appreciation for the Fourth Estate’s support for the entire auto industry.

This year’s event was again typically Toyota – with food and drinks flowing to all the guests’ delight. There were the not so usual games that can make you laugh down from your chair just by watching – well it was really more hilarious watching although they were all a lot of fun participating in.

The fun, laughter, and kantiawan were typical of a Toyota party but a special number almost at the end of the well-attended affair was ominous of what to expect in future get-togethers – the singing prowess of the new president of Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, Mr. Michinobu “Mich” Sugata.

Way to go!

Motoring Tip of the Week

We continue passing on to you vital information, which we are lifting from the “You Are Our Concern” Primer of the PNP Highway Patrol Group. This is a series of “What to do” instructions in various situations a motorist may find himself or herself in. Credits for this information dissemination project go to HPG Director Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas and HPG PIO Police Superintendent Edwin Rey Butacan.

What to do when your motor vehicle is stolen

As soon as the motor vehicle is discovered to be missing, the rightful owner, possessor or driver must immediately report the discovery to the nearest police station for proper recording and flash alarm.

The rightful owner or his/her duly authorized representative shall then proceed to HPG Office of the Motor Vehicle Concern Center (OMVCC) in Camp Crame, for the nationwide formal alarm and shall be required to present the following requirements:

Original OR/CR of the subject Motor Vehicle (MV).

Deed of Sale if the rightful owner of the vehicle has yet to process the transfer of ownership with LTO.

Certificate of Encumbrance if the MV is encumbered and photocopy of OR/CR authenticated by the financing company.

Secretary Certificate/Board Resolution stating the authorized user of the MV, if it is registered to a company.

Photocopy of MV Inspection Report, authenticated by LTO and clearly showing the stencil of the engine and chassis numbers.

Keys of motor vehicle.

Insurance policy.

Police Report from the local PNP unit that has territorial jurisdiction on the area where the incident occurred.

Valid identification cards of the rightful owner and the person who has control of the MV when it was seized.

Two (2) pieces of 2”x3” picture of the rightful owner and the person who has control of the motor vehicle when it was seized.

The rightful owner and the person who has control of the MV when it was reportedly seized shall also be required to appear at OMVCC for interview purposes, to check the veracity of his complaint and to know further the details relative to the loss of the said MV.

If the OMVCC is convinced of the veracity of the complaint and all documentary requirements are satisfied, the complainant/applicant will then be allowed to accomplish the HPG Alarm and Complaint Sheets.

If there are doubts in the truthfulness of the complaint or if the documentary requirements are not met, said MV will only be placed under hold order thru MVCO VIMS until the issue of doubts are resolved.

If the circumstances of the complaint do not constitute a crime of carnapping, the MV will be merely recommended for inclusion in the HOLD ORDER list.

After the complainant has duly accomplished the Complaint Sheet and submitted the required documents, it will be submitted to the Motor Vehicle Clearing Committee for evaluation and approval by the Director, HPG.

The approved nationwide formal alarm will be furnished to MVCD, with an assigned control number and a copy will then be released to the complainant/applicant.

*Complainants outside Metro Manila may also file their application directly on HPG Regional Offices. HPG Regional Offices will forward the application to the OMVCC.

I suggest you keep this info readily available.

Happy Motoring!!!

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