Not just ordinary paper

A couple of columns ago, to be precise last September 22, my lead article (LTO steps backwards) was on the plan of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to revert from the present plastic back to paper the material to be used for driver’s licenses. As my lead article’s title suggested, the move appears to be retrogressive. But the loudest howl of protests came from a militant transport group saying that a public utility driver’s license made of paper is infinitely less durable than plastic, considering its daily use and the conditions the license is exposed to like sweat and moisture, elements that can cause paper to crumple, easily tear and even disintegrate. Also part of the protest was the insinuation that a change of the license’s material would also favor a particular supplier.

To get better insights into the issues, I decided to have the LTO head, Madame Virginia Torres invited to the TV show Motoring Today. In my one-on-one interview with the lady assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on our TV show’s Motoring Forum portion, she explained that the “paper” referred to in all the news reports is not ordinary paper but a more durable kind, which would also be further laminated to ensure that it meets the harsh conditions that a driver’s license, especially those carried by public utility drivers, are exposed to.

Regarding the issue that the proposed move tends to favor a certain supplier, she explained that although she’s espousing the change in material, she’s not a member of the committee that determines the winning bidders. This is aside from not knowing any of the suppliers that could be tapped to make the proposed new license.

I hope that makes for balance journalism, giving both parties in an issue a chance to explain their sides.

Isuzu’s latest pitch for local tourism

Last week Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) brought some members of the motoring media to Cebu for a vehicle launch and test drive from September 30 to October 2.

This event again made IPC “hit several birds with one stone” (using an old idiomatic expression with all my apologies to animal lovers especially those that favor the winged ones).

Not necessarily in this order of priority, IPC was able to present to the media, so that they would in turn announce to the public, the launch of this special edition of the D-MAX and the Crosswind Sportivo dubbed as X-MAX (pronounced as CrossMax) just in time for the X-Mas holidays.

Then IPC was able to make the motoring journalists again have a hands-on experience of the said vehicles not only to re-confirm that Isuzu is indeed the diesel authority with vehicles that are not only durable, dependable, fuel- efficient and having a very comfortable ride (thanks to it flex ride suspension) but also to enjoy first hand the new features that they offer in this special X-MAX edition.

This event also further established IPC’s commitment to promote local tourism and land travel by bringing journalists to exotic local destinations that they would not normally go to so they can write about them and further inform the public of their existence and be further promoted as local and foreign tourists’ destinations.

Now new for the D-MAX (which has already sold 14,246 units since its launch in October 2003) in its X-MAX edition are color-keyed stepboards; taillamp guards; cargo bed liner; and a navigation-ready 2-DIN audio-video head unit. It’s available in omega white pearl, ebony black, sterling silver and magma red. Of course, the D-MAX is still powered by the proven 3.0-liter CRDi turbodiesel that produces 146 ps of maximum output and 294 Newton-meters of maximum torque. This engine already conforms to Euro 2 emission standards. The D-MAX also retains its customer-favorite Flex Ride MOVE suspension system, which provides one of the most comfortable rides in the pickup segment.

Meanwhile, the Crosswind (which has sold an even more impressive 55,374 units since its introduction in June 2001) in its Sportivo X-MAX edition have features like white-light-effect headlamps; roof rack; two-tone spare tire cover; “X-MAX” sticker logo; and a dealer-option seven-inch LCD touch-screen monitor. With the i-Nav feature, the Crosswind is the first vehicle in its class to come with a GPS navigation system. It’s available in magma red, ebony black, glacial white and sterling silver. The Crosswind is still equipped with the tried-and-tested 2.5-liter 4JA1-L direct-injection turbodiesel that’s also Euro 2-compliant. Like the D-MAX, the Crosswind benefits from the supple ride of Isuzu’s vaunted Flex Ride MOVE suspension system.

IPC president Mr. Ryoji Yamasaki, who came for the evening awards night to honor the journalists who upended their peers in fun challenges introduced in the event, said, “Many of those who have experienced owning either the D-MAX or the Crosswind still come back to us when it’s time to purchase another vehicle. They usually cite durability, reliability, performance and fuel efficiency as the principal reasons why they put Isuzu vehicles at the top of their list. We expect this trend to continue with the new X-MAX editions of the D-MAX and the Crosswind.”

It was a grueling test drive more for the vehicles but an exciting one for the drivers and passengers not only for the fantastic views of mountain ranges and beachfronts but also for the gastronomic lunch stops that spotlight much of what Cebu has to offer the foodies that are prevalent in the group.

Two groups were formed to drive almost the length and breath of Cebu province with IPC evp Yuki Kato and senior vp for corporate business Art Balmadrid graciously staying with the journalists every inch of the more than 200 kilometers of travel.

The areas covered the northern parts of Cebu like Mandaue, Liloan, Compostela, Danao, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Asturias, Balamban, and in the southern part of Cebu include Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Dalaguete, Argao, Sibonga and Carcar.

Making sure of the success of the launch, test drive and the media’s well-being and comfort were the usual suspects, namely; Timmy De Leon, the very capable section manager-marketing division and her assistant Ronald “Isuzu Joe” Baladad together with IPC’s iconic “go to guy”, Hermes “Chairman” Canon.

Despite the exhausting but exciting experience, IPC made sure of the journalists’ comfort by choosing the newly-opened Crimson Resort and Hotel located in Mactan Island with its fantastic amenities.

Thanks to Isuzu Philippines Corporation for the wonderful travel experience.

BDO Auto Loan’s auto fair’s last leg

From October 7 to October 24, the BDO Auto Loan’s Deals on Wheels shall be held across the country on several chosen locations and dates.

On what is considered as “the best deals in the history of car deals” the last leg of what’s known as the most celebrated auto fair shall have the following schedules; October 7-13 in SM Mall of Asia and SM Marikina; October 8-10 in SM Naga and SM Davao; October 15-17 in SM San Pablo; and October 22-24 in SM baguio, SM Tarlac, SM Lucena, SM Bacolod, Sm Iloilo, SM Cebu, SM Cagayan de Oro, NE Pacific Mall Cabanatuan, Robinsons Ilocos, Tacloban and General Santos.

In a chat over lunch recently, Tony Peña, BDO senior vice president reminded us, “BDO Auto Loan’s main drive is to find ways to keep our clients satisfied when buying a car. So, like all the BDO Deals On Wheels before, we still have guaranteed low rates, flexible payment terms of up to 72 months and fast approval on complete applications.”

Tony, the known automobile marketing veteran and expert who has also made his mark in auto financing also made an assurance that the BDO Deals On Wheels offer of free gas stays. Knowing that fuel persists to be a financial problem for everyday travelers, BDO Auto Loans is keeping the P1,000 free gas extra when a car is bought through them.

Way to go, Tony.

A gathering of the old guards of racing

Note this list; Mandy Eduque, Jojo Silverio, Mike Potenciano, Paeng Nodalo, Pepon Marave, Georges Ramirez, Louis Ramirez, Popong Andolong. What do these guys have in common? They were once top names in their favorite motor sports discipline.

And these big names in motor sports gathered together for a weekend of racing dubbed as the Race of Champions at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) as a special part of the 2010 Philippine Touring Car Championship.

The Race of Champions is organized by the Automobile Association of the Philippines in cooperation with Sammy Liuson’s Concept One Wheels and Chevrolet Philippines.

Watch out for the equally if not more exciting second leg on November 20-21 also at the BRC.

Happy Motoring!!!

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