Mazda’s bid for fuel efficiency

Berjaya Motors recently joined the bandwagon of industry players that spotlight fuel efficiency as one of the major selling points of their market offerings

With around 20 motoring journalists in tow, the Mazda CX5 2-wheel drive, Mazda CX5 all-wheel drive and the Mazda 6 were all subjected to rigorous economy runs to bring out the best fuel performance in each of these models that they currently carry in the local market.

The 2-day economy run that was held last October 23 included driving in traffic congested metro streets as well as 40 kilometer runs at the SCTEX in various set speeds, which were mandated at 60, 80 and 100 kilometers per hour as strictly supervised by marshals to ensure actual and documented results.

The participating members of the motoring media actually went through a challenge to see who and what model can register the best fuel performance with prizes for the winners. To make the event more interesting, the motoring journalists also had a side trip for a friendly kart race.   

The models all registered passing marks, with flying colors even with results ranging from 18 kilometers per liter to 25 kilometers per liter for the Mazda CX5 2-wheel drive.

Isuzu zooms ahead with the all-new D-Max

Right after its grand launch in September, the Isuzu all-new D-Max has registered chart-busting sales figures, which was not only a big boast to Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s (IPC) overall sales performance but also for the commercial vehicle segment as a whole as well.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) recently released combined reports that showed that the D-MAX’s sales in September has more than doubled from its tally in August, or 179 units compared to the previous month’s 84-unit total—a rise of 113.1 percent. The D-MAX’s market share also rose to 11.2 percent in September from 6.3 percent in August.

The reports also showed that the growth of the All-new D-Max that was registered in September came together with the local pickup segment’s month-on-month rise of 19.7 percent. Maintaining an upward trend in popularity, pickup trucks found 1,332 buyers in August, accounting for a 9.7 percent share of the domestic auto industry, while in September the total grew to 1,594 units, or a 10.8 percent share. The country’s commercial vehicle segment, which includes pickup trucks, climbed 12.3 percent in September.

In contrast, IPC’s tally of light commercial vehicles, bolstered by the All-New D-MAX, saw a 12.9 percent increase in September over August. This contributed to IPC’s 15.9 percent spike in total vehicle sales in the same period.

“The favorable market reception of the All-New Isuzu D-MAX can only lead to a positive outlook for Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s overall performance for the rest of the year, keeping us on track of reaching our sales target of 13,000 units,” said IPC President Nobuo Izumina.

As this article comes out, a contingent of motoring journalists is in the thick of test driving the All-new D-Max in the mid-southern islands of the Philippines, which include the world-famous Boracay Beach. What we motoring journalists have to do just to make an educated assessment of vehicles that we test drive.

How I wish I can say that with a straight face.

The growing scooter crowd

A full service dealership for Vespa, Aprilla and Piaggio scooters, motorcycles and their accessories recently opened in Quezon City. 

A collaboration between very close friends and now business partners, James Yap, Jeffrey Yap and Mikael Coyiuto (son of Mike, who’s the brother of Robert, Jr. of the famous Coyiuto clan of business tycoons), Mototechnic officially opened its doors to the motorcycling public last Saturday, October 24.

Due to congested roads and the rising of fuel prices, the two-wheeled transporter has been fast becoming the transport of choice of those who want to reach their destinations faster regardless of economic strata. Those that belong to the more affluent class prefer those two-wheelers that give the most enjoyment while driving. And in this kind of equation brands like Vespa, Aprilla and Piaggio come to mind.   

Now, the brand Vespa in the Philippines as well as all around the world is synonymous to scooters. There was a time in the distant past when all scooters on the road in the Philippines were once referred to as Vespa as toothpaste was once only called Colgate and refrigerators only referred to as Frigidaire. And this triumvirate of young businessmen, aware of the growing crowd of scooter enthusiasts among the established motorcycling loyalists feel very strongly that a full service dealership will auger well with the hastily growing market.

Mototechnic is located along Granada St. in Barangay Valencia in Quezon City.    

All our best to this new breed of young entrepreneurs.  

Epic Top Gear Party

“They have been churning out those damn good magazines for 9 years now and they’re still going strong,” was the common reaction of people we got to talk to during the swinging party that the local Top Gear family lead by its controversial yet very talented editor-in-chief, Vernon Sarne with its sales-savvy publisher, Jeff Reyes hosted last week at one of the hottest party places at the BGC, the Prive.

The well-attended event saw most of the people that matter from the auto industry raising their glasses joined by the motoring media plus some of the lucky readers of the almost decade-young magazine toasting the simultaneous celebration of its 100th edition.

Congratulations to Top Gear! Way to go, guys!

Happy Motoring!!!

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