Speed limits should be strictly implemented

I’ve written about this several times the operator of the SLEX and SKYWAY appears to be remiss in implementing the speed limits, especially for buses. And last Monday’s dreadful event again lent credence to my observation.

To prove this further, try doing what I always do when I travel on those tollways just to find out if buses are running within their speed limit of 80 kph. I would drive alongside a bus that’s suspiciously over-speeding and look at my speedometer. In most cases I would be proven right. They travel above 80 kph and close, if not over 100 kph.

The recent horrendous accident that caused the death of over 20 people could have been avoided if the traffic enforcers were there to consistently monitor speeds of tollway users, especially buses, and strictly enforce the limits and penalize the violators.

I deliberately discriminate against buses (but I don’t mean to leave other vehicles alone) for several reasons; foremost of which is the number of passengers these humongous vehicles carry that can be victims should they figure in an accident; second their sheer size would always be a contributing factor to the magnitude of the accident; and third, in my observation more speed limit violators come from their ranks.

I remember one morning several years back I observed an unusual strict implementation of the speed limits at the SLEX and the SKYWAY and vehicles of erring drivers were lined-up somewhere near Nichols to be given warnings or citations. However, that ningas kugon strict implementation lasted for only several days, not even weeks.

I also hear of some cases when some drivers have been cited for speeding. But an “every now and then” type of implementation won’t fly among most drivers. They should be very aware that there is consistent monitoring of vehicle speeds and violators would be penalized.

Take the case of Subic. They may not be as darn strict now as they were during the time of Dick Gordon but they are still strict. And many of you may have seen how drivers are so conscious about obeying traffic regulations when they’re in Subic—simply because they know that they are being watched and they will be apprehended if they cross the line.

To promote greater awareness—let’s try being consistent in implementing traffic rules and regulations to avoid the further senseless loss of lives on the road.    

When “Sir John” calls—everybody comes

Recently the president of Lexus-Manila, Mr. Daniel Sir John” Isla sent a short-noticed invite for members of the motoring media to come for some roundtable interaction cum lunch. And boy, was it a large round table that met me when I arrived. Almost all of motoring media’s “who’s who” were present and I quipped that if some terrorist would decide to bomb the place, heaven forbid, the country’s “fourth estate’s” entire motoring beat would be wiped out with perhaps nobody credible enough left to write about the local auto industry—well, when Sir John calls, everybody comes.     

And the hosts from Lexus-Manila and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) also came in full force lead by TMP’s rocker of a president, Mr. Michinobu Sugata, which really made the meeting quite a gathering. But sadly we didn’t get to hear the rocking Sugata-san belt a tune, which he is much known for aside from being the motoring media’s choice as one of the most capable and approachable presidents TMP has ever had.

After some open discussions and talks regarding some industry issues and developments and even showbiz gossips, an impressive thorough presentation made by marketing services honcho Carlo Chungungco about one of the many new offerings of Lexus-Manila, the GX 460 ensued. 

Danny “Sir John” Isla emphasized the versatility of this remarkable Lexus model during the presentation, “The Lexus GX 460 is a premium luxury family commuter during the week that easily transforms to a trail-driving 4x4 on the weekend, with room of up to seven. Such a contrast of functions is made possible by a combination of rugged body-on-frame construction and an advanced standard Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System or KDSS, which helps to significantly reduce body lean without needing stiffer springs and dampers. The GX 460’s 4.6-litre V8 provides 301 horses.”   

There are a lot more to say about the Lexus 460 but I would recommend an up close look and a test drive at the Lexus-Manila headquarters at the BGC. And while you’re at it you can probably check out the Lexus Lease Program, which invites you to “drive a new Lexus every 3 years”.

IPC highlights fuel efficiency of all-new D-Max

Another motoring media gathering was held last week, this time through the invite if IPC, Isuzu Philippines Corporation to report on the results on the tests conducted last month by AAP (Automobile Association of the Philippines) and attested further by SMART Driving Corporation on the all-new D-Max to document its fuel performance.

During the test the all-new D-Max LS 4x2 with manual transmission travelled a total of 1,985 kilometers on a single full tank containing 76 liters of diesel fuel. This gives a class-leading fuel performance of 26.12 kilometers to a liter of fuel.

Although according to IPC senior vice president, Mr. Art Balmadrid, IPC deemed it prudent to cancel its always much-awaited yearly Christmas Costume Party and instead add the projected expense to their donation for the benefit of those families affected by recent devastating earthquake and typhoon, the Japanese luncheon also served, although not by design, as its Christmas get-together with he motoring media.

As gleaned from the presentation made by Joseph Bautista, IPC product development honcho, the major factor in the All-New D-MAX’s fuel efficiency is Isuzu’s 4JJ1-TC iTEQ 3.0-liter Common Rail Direct Injection with Turbocharger and Intercooler diesel engine that makes 146Ps @ 3,800rpm and 294Nm @ 1,400rpm to 3,400rpm, which is reputed for its reliability, durability and fuel efficiency. Isuzu’s new 4JK1-TC iTEQ 2.5-liter Common Rail Direct Injection with Turbocharger and Intercooler diesel engine, which produces 109Ps @ 3,400rpm and 280Nm from 1,800 to 2,200rpm, is also capable of providing optimum power at reduced fuel consumption.

It was also further explained that both the proven 3.0-liter and the new 2.5-liter engines have a wide torque curve that calls for less gear-changing while ensuring effortless power in hill-climbing and off-road driving. Matching the power plants is a new 5-speed automatic transmission (available for the LS 4x2 and 4x4 variants) that is thoroughly modernized with a sequential shift function that makes manual gear-shifting possible in an automatic transmission. Also offered is a 5-speed manual transmission that has been improved with shorter gear throws.

Our good friend Art Balmadrid added, “Further aiding in reducing fuel consumption is the All-New D-MAX’s body, which was developed to be aerodynamic and was even tested in the wind tunnel of the Japan Railway Research Institute, the same facility used in developing the country’s famous bullet trains. As a result, the All-New D-MAX has one of the lowest coefficients of drag among pickups.”

Test drives sell cars

Aside from producing TV shows that support the growth of the local automotive industry by way of weekly TV programs like Auto Focus and Motoring Today, Sunshine TV (STV) have organized motor shows to further excite the market. In the 9 consecutive years of staging the Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo we have come to the conclusion that aside from promoting brands and showing off brand new models, it’s the test drives where motor show exhibitors get the most of its participation—test drives sell cars.

With this stark realization we have decided to put together a strictly test drive event where industry players can come to a common venue to have their models test-driven by the public. The “Summer Test Drive Festival” is scheduled from April 24 to 27, 2014 at the SM Mall of Asia and so far major industry players like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Lexus, Honda, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Chevy, Isuzu and Ford have expressed their keen interest to join.

The idea is to have a “test drive course” put up within the event venue that gives the participating car company the option to have vehicles test-driven outside or within the test drive track, which can address some security and damage risk concerns.

We’ll update you as we get along putting this pioneering venture together.

Happy Motoring!!!

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