"If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

MANILA, Philippines - That’s an old American saying that simply means if anything is working well, there’s no sense in changing it.

And this old adage aptly applies to what happened to the “direct connectivity” system that was in effect at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) during the time of its former head. LTO insiders have professed that the former system wherein the Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) transmitted “real-time” online all photographs they took of each emission test that they conducted to IT providers accredited by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to ensure that the nefarious practice of “non-appearance” of vehicles for testing would be totally eradicated was working perfectly well…until it was decided to bring in to the system its own IT provider, Stradcom – and that’s when the problem started, according to our sources.

In a recent published news item (Philippine STAR, metro section, July 5), it was reported that the current LTO head, DOTC Assistant Secretary Albert Suansing “finds certain deficiencies and weakness in the viewing facilities set up by Stradcaom”. He was further quoted, “We ordered them to improve the facilities they set up for the Direct Connection.”

Well, “it ain’t broke” when the system was being handled by the DOTC-accredited IT providers, Eurolink, RDMS, ETC IT and Cyberlink, so “why fix it?”

The news item further reported that there are now allegations that since the new system was introduced, fraudulent smoke emission test results have been uploaded to the database – “now that it’s fixed, it’s broke!”

Unfortunately, LTO “balik-head”, Asec. Bert Suansing (Former LTO head who was assigned to head the LTFRB and then back again to the LTO) has inherited a headache that should not have been if only that old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was kept in mind.

Toyota maintains transparency

I recently had a long talk with Lexus-Manila president and concurrent Toyota Motor Philippines 1st vice president, Mr. Daniel “Danny” Isla, fondly called by close friends in the motoring media and those from the local auto industry as “Sir John” owing to his being a self-confessed “Beatlemaniac” or a fanatic lover of the “Fab Four”. Our conversation centered on the recent foreign news release about the reported “recall” of some Lexus models in the US and Japan.

First of all Danny qualified that it is not a “recall” of affected models as a result of an accident. It is a “Special Service Campaign” to warn owners of specific Lexus models of potential issues with their vehicles resulting from continuous studies made on all models. “It’s more of a preemptive effort,” Sir John clarifies.

He further explained, “This involves the valve spring of certain engines that will result in a potential noise in the engine with a worse case scenario of “stalled vehicle”. And he further emphasized, “It has nothing to do with imminent danger.”

And the welcome news for local Lexus buyers is that the issue “does not involve any of the models that are being sold by Lexus-Manila” However, the veteran auto executive assures that “in any event that any of these models may have been brought to the country before our official entry, Lexus Manila will gladly assist the customers in the rectification of the potential problem based on technical advise from Lexus Headquarters.”

We also learned from the long chat that this “Special Service Campaign” is a result of the continuing commitment of Lexus to guarantee the safety and comfort of its customers beyond the period of sale. This means that Lexus does not stop at evaluating every vehicle that it manufactures. Rather, it continues to explore and evaluate every particular model to monitor its performance over a long period of time.

After the serious talk we shifted to some “Beatle-talk” like the recent news that the “gold drums” given by Ludwig, a longtime globally-known brand of drums, to Beatle-drummer Ringo Starr during the unprecedented musical rein of the Beatles would be displayed in some international event.

It was after our conversation that I realized the whale of a difference that Toyota’s philosophy of transparency has from another Japanese brand.

In the case of this other brand, at least the way it is being run in the Philippines, in similar situations like recall and the like, the responsibility of finding out the details of such issues is on the shoulders of the customers. The customers are supposed to check out the brand’s website for them to know significant issues like this. So if there’s a safety issue in your vehicle and you didn’t know this because you don’t check on your vehicle’s website, it’s your own lookout. And if you don’t ask – they don’t announce. And mind you, I didn’t just cook this up; I heard it straight from the mouth of their president.

Well, I guess its corporate philosophies like this that spell customer confidence and market share.

Porsche World Roadshow

My son, Ray Louis, who’s now a full-fledged segment producer of STV, Sunshine Television came home very excited from the recently held Porsche World Roadshow at the Lion City – Singapore.

What else can an automobile enthusiast ask for after getting a hands-on driving experience with the Boxster Spyder, 911 Turbo, 911 GT3 and hold your breath – the all-new Porsche Cayenne and the Auto Focus 2009-2010 Large Sedan of the Year, the Panamera.

Through the invitation of business tycoon and PGA Cars head honcho, Robert Coyiuto, Jr., STV covered this regular Porsche Auto Festival, which has been held before in the Philippines, where participants had the opportunity to take the Porsche fleet through their paces in a secure and controlled environment, under the watchful eyes of PWRS instructors who are specially flown in for this activity. Through a series of challenging exercises, participants are able to better appreciate the versatility and driveability of these high performance cars and can pick up driving techniques to refine their own everyday road experience.

Mitsubishi confirms support for “School Tour”

In an expected display of its “corporate social responsibility”, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) recently confirmed its full support for the “2010 Young Street Smarts Club School Tour”.

A project of Socio-Com (Social Communications) Foundation for Asia through its main benefactor Sunshine Television (STV) producers of alternative, developmental TV programs like Motoring Today, Business & Leisure and Auto Focus, the “School Tour” is a series of free seminar/workshops that would be held in different schools to teach students to become responsible and safe road users. A total of from 8 to 10 schools are targeted for this year.

MMPC have agreed to provide the transport need of the project with an L300 closed van to bring around all the necessary equipment (wide screens, audio systems, props, etc.) for the conduct of the seminar/workshops. For this we thank the following MMPC executives for their eager support for the advocacy of educating the youth about road safety, namely; Mr. Masahiko Ueki, president & CEO, Mr. Taizo Furuhashi, executive vp, Mr. Orlando “Buboy” Alvarez, Senior vp, Mr. Froy Dytianquin, avp for marketing services and Mr. Arlan Reyes, ad & promo manager.

And more about Mitsubishi Motors Philippines CSR projects…

MMPC recently donated an L300 Versa Van to the Arnel Pineda Foundation Inc. (APFI). In line with the foundation’s goal of fostering out-of-school youth and alleviating illiteracy in the country, the L300 Versa Van will be used as a mobile school. “We believe that through our sincere commitment and partnership with organizations like the APFI, our humble efforts will contribute and live up to our philosophy to fulfill our commitment on enriching the society especially the youth,” Mr. Masahiko Ueki MMPC President & CEO said. Aside from providing a mobile school to AFPI, MMPC also turned-over cash grants to the pre-school of Cainta’s Barangay San Juan. This cash grant will support pre-school children and they were also provided basic school supplies. MMPC will incessantly support organizations that nurture and give highest value to education and youth development.

And the above turn-over was done during the “Ueki Day” marking the birthday celebration of MMPC president Ueki-san, which also coincided with a tree-planting activity – Ueki means “to plant trees”.

Thank you to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines and happy birthday to Ueki-san.

Happy Motoring!!!

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