No helmet - take the public transport or walk

In recent on-cam interview with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Robert Nancianceno on the Motoring Forum segment of our TV show Motoring Today, he expressed the seriousness of their agency, whose major mandated task is to manage vehicle and people traffic in Metro Manila’s streets, to ensure the safety of the metro’s motorcyclists by strictly implementing the “no helmet, no travel” policy among motorcyclists.

The long-time government career manager of the MMDA issued a warning to those who would be caught not wearing helmets while operating or riding a motorcycle, that they would be asked to get off the bike and would not be allowed to proceed traveling on it unless a helmet is worn. This goes true also for the back rider, if there were one.

This strict implementation comes aptly in the heels of the recent approval into law the legislation introduced by recently proclaimed election topnotcher senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, which may still not have any IRR or Implementing Rules Regulations.

It is still a wonder though why, a strict implementation of the rule to have motorcyclists wear helmets is needed when simple logic would dictate that doing so is for a motorcyclist’s or back rider’s own safety.

But I would still strongly suggest that persons of authority, like policemen, members of the armed forces, etc., who are caught defying this law should not only be punished by a fine or whatever punitive measure that is dictated by law but should also be charged administratively for setting a bad example to other motorcyclists – when people who are supposed to implement the law are the ones blatantly and wantonly breaking it, how do you expect the populace to follow such law? 

Come on guys, just wear helmets and stay healthy.

Top Kia Dealers

Columbian Autocar Corporation ( CAC), lead by its indefatigable president, Mr. Felix Mabilog set aside an evening to recognize its top dealers that have shown exemplary performance both in sales and after sales achievements in 2009 at the Dealers Awards Night at the Grove Pavilion, Pasig City last Friday, May 14th.

It was also during the same auspicious occasion when the 4 top authorized dealers in the Philippines, part of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) network of dealers around the world were recognized and honored with Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards as part of its Kia Dealership Excellence Program or K-DEP, which is the Korean car company’s major dealer enhancement program.

“The K-DEP is a series of Kia dealer-focused activities, which recognizes dealer achievement and initiative in terms of competency, performance and customer satisfaction,” explained Mr. Mabilog, a recognized highly knowledgeable veteran and distinguished pillar in the local automotive industry.

The Philippine awardees include Kia Pasig, which received the much- coveted Platinum Dealer Certification, a recognition only bestowed to those that would meet Kia’s Global Dealer Standards. On the other hand, Kia Dumaguete bagged the Gold Award for their achievement in Kia’s Act Smart Campaign, which was established by the Kia Motors Service Group to enhance its dealerships’ internal and external facilities worldwide based on the so-called “3S” movement of “scrap, sort and sweep.” Completing the distinguished line-up, the Silver Award was won by Kia Congressional with Kia Marikina romping off with the Bronze Award.

Meanwhile, a total of six local dealers were recognized for their outstanding Sales and After-Sales achievement. The Outstanding Sales Award is based on the total sales volume achieved by the dealership in 2009.  The Outstanding After-Sales Award on the other hand is based on a set of criteria that includes facilities and operations evaluation; target achievement in the areas of workshop and parts sales; and overall support for CAC-initiated programs and policies.

This year’s overall winner for Sales is Kia Cebu which also received recognition for topping the sales in the Visayan region. Other dealers who were cited for their outstanding sales achievement in 2009 include Kia New Manila for Metro Manila, Kia Pampanga for Luzon and Kia Cagayan de Oro for Mindanao.

After-Sales Awards were conferred on Kia Pasig for Metro Manila, Kia Batangas for Luzon, Kia Cebu for Visayas and Kia Cagayan de Oro for Mindanao.

During the well-attended affair, Felix, the CAC top honcho in his usual gracious demeanor took the time during his speech to graciously acknowledge the members of the motoring media who braved and endured the usual Friday evening traffic gridlocks just to be present in their grand event.

Congratulations to all the winning Kia dealers.

Guess and win  an Isuzu vehicle

“We want not only to demonstrate the fuel economy of our vehicles, but also to make the event fun for our customers. All they have to do is take a guess with regard to the total distances that the three Isuzu vehicles will travel on a full tank of fuel and they get the chance to drive home a new vehicle just like that. There are no purchases required to join the contest”.

And with these words from the new Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) president, Ryoji Yamazaki, the 2010 edition of the long-running “Isuzu Challenge” was officially kicked-off last Friday, May 13th at a “steak house” at High Street, Bonifacio Global City.

The “Isuzu Challenge”, which IPC has been holding since 2002 to showcase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles, will be staged this year in three separate runs featuring three different Isuzu vehicles. The aim of this year’s exercise is to show the farthest distance that each vehicle can travel on just one full tank of diesel fuel.

The 1st run would showcase the N-Series truck, which will be driven from Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte from May 26 to 29. The next vehicle on center stage would be the Crosswind from July 14 to 17 and finally the D-MAX from October 20 to 24.

The twist this year is that the public can participate by guessing the total distance that each one of the three Isuzu vehicles will travel on a single full tank of fuel. Those who will get the correct distances (in kilometers and up to one decimal point) will win a brand-new unit of the specific Isuzu model used during the fuel-economy run. The deadline for submission of entries for the N-Series run is midnight of May 25. Meanwhile, the guessing periods for the Crosswind and D-MAX runs are April 1 to July 13 and August 1 to October 19, respectively. Participants may log on to the contest website (www.isuzudieselmission.com.ph) to submit their entries.

The “Isuzu Challenge” is now part of IPC’s Diesel Mission campaign, the company’s diesel-awareness program for 2010. The campaign, whose objective is to highlight Isuzu’s superiority in the field of diesel technology, has four components: the Isuzu Dura-Mission, the Isuzu Farthest Mission, the Isuzu Eco-Mission, and the Isuzu Dyna Mission. The “Isuzu Challenge” falls under the “Farthest Mission” component.

So guys, just make a guess. Who knows you might end up driving one of the remarkable Isuzu vehicles home?

Via con Dios, Rick

The gentleman president of Ford Group Philippines (FGP) that I had the privilege to know quite well, Mr. Richard Carl Baker has just been given a big promotion being appointed deputy general manager of Ford’s China joint venture, the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA).

The first time I came to know Rick up close was during an on camera interview on the segment Profiles of our TV show Business & Leisure and he has struck me as a knowledgeable executive who’s willing to know more about the Philippines.

I also had the opportunity to be with Rick in some of the Ford Philippines events and he has always made himself available for interviews with me or with any of my coverage production staff.

I have always known Rick as kind and well-mannered and as we shall all miss his accessible demeanor for the media and friends I would like to wish him all the best in his new endeavors.

Let me also take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Randy Krieger, who comes as the president of Ford Japan and who shall be taking over the management reins of FGP starting June 1, 2010.

Volcanic ashes spoils the travel adventure

It would have been a very exciting, adventurous and highly informative experience for us but an untimely volcanic eruption did us in.

At this time we should be trying to do what many Filipino travelers have been trying to figure out how feasible – touring Europe by land sans any organized tours but just by the use of GPS aboard Bimmers.

With the present situation in Europe, where some travelers spending several days in the airport due to cancelled flights caused by the presence of visibility-hampering volcanic ashes in the atmosphere, I can’t risk upsetting preparation schedules for the June launch of the yearly Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards, which would be marked by an all-important “industry forum” with the auto sector’s “movers and shakers” in the panel discussing a prognosis of the industry as it faces a new set of government leaders.

But I would have to thank our good friend Mr. Bobby Rosales, the very kind and soft-spoken president of Asian Carmakers, the exclusive distributors of BMW vehicles in the country for his assurance of support for our travel venture – whenever we are ready. And of course thank you too to Ms. Maricar Parco, the marketing top honcho of ACI for her patience despite the temporary postponement of the project.

Happy Motoring!!!

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