Motoring

What’s stopping the gov’t?

MOTORING TODAY - Rey Gamboa - The Philippine Star

October 31, 2012 | 12:00am

With the way things are shaping up regarding the use of RFIDs or Radio Frequency Identification, considering that even the public bus operators who used to adamantly oppose its use are already urging the government to go ahead, people are asking what’s keeping the powers that be from implementing the project.

The public’s knee-jerk reaction to reject something new and something that smells of overpricing and corruption like when the idea of using RFDs was first introduced has been overcome by merely being able to understand how it works and the benefits can be derived from its use.

The RFID has a myriad of uses and for legitimate bus operators it is the best way to pinpoint the colorums from the legal buses that ply the country’s roads.

Having established this, why doesn’t the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) or the LTFRD (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) commence with its implementation and use?

We can only wonder and remain puzzled and hope there are no more compelling “multimillion” reasons behind the inaction.

He’s back and so is Peugeot!

Felix Mabilog is recognized as one of the main pillars in the local auto industry, not only because of his decades of meaningful stay but more because of his significant contributions in raising the standards of automobile marketing and manufacturing.

The highlight and crowning glory of his glorious career is to retire as president of Columbian Autocar Corporation, exclusive Philippine importers and distributors of Kia vehicles after raising it from a state of close to oblivion to one of the most trusted automobile brands in the country.

But this is one guy who doesn’t believe in resting on his laurels—he wants to face more challenges, even if it would mean risking his past unprecedented achievements and successes for a possible failure, but then with this gentleman, failure is never an option.

When word came out that Felix would take on the revival of the Peugeot brand in the country after a short and forgettably dismal stint some years back, his friends, this one included, raised eyebrows—“and we thought he called it a day when he was way ahead”.

Mr. Mabilog has been handed the reins as president and COO of the newly established Eurobrands Distributors, Inc. (EDI), the newly declared exclusive local partners of French automobile brand Peugeot. EDI is part of the Jose Ch. Alvarez’s group of automotive companies that include Asian Carmakers and Columbian Autocar, exclusive importers and distributors of BMW and Kia vehicles respectively.

Peugeot is presently considered as Europe’s second largest-selling automobile brand, which has claims of being the world’s leading producers of diesel engines. These attributes were gained through centuries of reputable existence, which began with the manufacturing of bicycles and spanned into its present distinction of being one of the world’s auto companies that seriously and successfully address global mobility concerns of fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness.

During the official announcement of the forging of business ties between Peugeot and EDI to the motoring media the other week at the Sofitel Hotel (An event that made me wake up early in the morning, which is something I rarely do. But then Felix is a close friend and it was an important event for him, so why not?), I had the pleasure of meeting two Peugeot executives. One was Marc Bocque, International Communications and External Relations Manager (the communications “guru” of Peugeot, as EDI’s communications top honcho and former Star motoring editor, Dong Magsajo refers to his international boss. The other was Lionel Faugeres, General Director of Peugeot ASEAN Operations, who handles Peugeot’s business operations in the region. The two charming French executives were one in expressing their confidence and trust with their Philippine partners whose sterling reputation in their handling of their automotive business interests precedes them. Aside from their indisputable belief with their business partners they have also expressed their eager anticipation for the further and hastened development of the country’s automotive industry—“a great untapped potential.”

EDI is starting off by bringing in four remarkable Peugeot models, namely; the 308 crossover, 508 midsize sedan, the 5008 MPV and the stunning RCZ sports car. There’s a mouthful to say about each of these models, but the best thing to do for those interested to know more about them, is to see these cars up close and to test drive them. The first official public launch and display of these much-awaited models shall be at the Auto Focus Motor Show and Auto Expo, which runs from November 8 to November 11 (Thursday to Sunday), 11am to 9pm at the SM Mall of Asian Concert Grounds just behind the SMX. Like all the brand-new cars on display, there will also be free public test drives of the Peugeot automobile models during the motor show, which is open free to the public.

Why should one consider buying a Peugeot automobile?

Our good friend Felix Mabilog was quick to retort, “If only because it is environment-friendly due to its unarguably class-leading low emissions and it is pocket-friendly due to its undisputable diesel fuel efficiency, the litany of Peugeot’s attributes and features make the decision to have one simply a must”.

Media’s Choice Awards

Due to space limitations last week we failed to print the winners in this year’s Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards. The following are the overwhelming choices of the motoring media to lead their individual categories in the different automobile attributes of the award. This is ensured by the rules, which requires that awardees need to garner at least 50% of the votes cast in its category. This means that if there were a total of 30 votes registered in a particular category, the winner of the award should have at least 15 votes to qualify or if there were only 10 votes cast, the awarded auto model should have at least 5 of these votes—that’s an overwhelming choice. And this year’s deserving awardees are;

BEST ENGINE PERFORMANCE

1. Luxury Sub Compact BMW 1-Series

2. Midsize Sedan Subaru Legacy

3. AUV Toyota Innova

4. Minivan Honda Odyssey

5. Luxury Minivan Toyota Alphard

6. Large Van Hyundai Grand Starex

7. Pickup Ford Ranger

8. Open Subaru XV

9. Luxury Open BMW M5

BEST ON-BOARD ENTERTAINMENT

1.Luxury Subcompact BMW 1-Series