CAMPI answers the call

The multitude of students that would soon be part of those who have been taught on how to become safe and responsible road users through the Young Street Smarts road safety seminars and workshops would have to add CAMPI or the Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers in the Philippines, Inc. to the list of benefactors that support the advocacy to promote road safety among the youth.

The Young Street Smarts Road Safety School Tour, which CAMPI has recently decided to fully support, is a series of road safety seminars and workshops conducted free in schools located in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces for graduating high school students.

The “teach ins” include topics vital to road safety like, the meaning and importance of traffic signs and road markings, rules of right of way, road courtesy as a way of life, dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, safe biking and other related matters that would ensure one’s safety while on the road as a driver, passenger, commuter, pedestrian or a biker.

Started in 2010, the Young Street Smarts Road Safety School Tour has been conducted in more than 20 schools and to almost 30,000 students. Since it started the list of benefactors include MNTC (Manila North Tollways Corporation), Chevron Philippines, Asian Carmakers (BMW), Columbian Autocar Corporation (Kia), The Car Covenant Company (Chevrolet) Auto Nation Group (Mercedes-Benz/Chrysler/Jeep) PGA Cars (Porsche/Audi), Mitsubishi Motors Philippines and Toyota Motor Philippines, among others.

CAMPI, the latest in the list of benefactors has in its roster; Regular Members – Asian Carmakers Corp., Columbian Autocar Corp., Columbian Manufacturing Corp., Honda Cars Philippines, Isuzu Philippines Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., Nissan Philippines, Inc. and Toyota Motor Philippines with Associate Members – Automobile Central Enterprises, Auto Nation Group, Inc. Berjaya Auto Philippines, Inc., Eurobrands Distributor, Inc., Suzuki Philippines, Inc. and Universal Motors Corp.

Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, president of CAMPI has expressed his elation for the opportunity granted to their organization to show to the public its innate concern for road safety by supporting efforts to promote public awareness into its importance. As one of the advocacy’s stakeholders and one of the YSS Road Safety School Tour’s benefactors, CAMPI has committed that its members would also help in lining up schools to where the seminars and workshops would be conducted in the future.

Way to go, CAMPI!

Increased opportunities for Pinoy auto technicians

It was some seven years ago when business tycoon and multi-brand auto industry stalwart, Robert Coyiuto, Jr., chairman and ceo of PGA Cars, Inc. realized that he was losing his local high-ranking technicians to the global Porsche network. This led him to conceive the idea of setting up a training facility in the country tapping the talents of the underprivileged youth. “I discussed with a member of the Porsche AG board the possibility of setting up a training school in the Philippines, because our technicians were highly sought-after worldwide,” recalled Robert. After getting the nod of Porsche AG, Mr. Robert Coyiuto, Jr’s brainchild became the very first training facility of Porsche outside of Germany—the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA), offering Filipinos from underprivileged backgrounds career opportunities as “Mechatronics” or elite technical specialists for Porsche vehicles.

Since PTRCA started, Porsche in cooperation with PGA Cars and Don Bosco Technical Institute has trained more than 250 young adults to become top-notched motor vehicle service technicians mostly to work abroad.

Starting this year, two other brands, Audi and Volkswagen have joined in to form what’s now known as PTRCA 2 with the potential of having more Filipinos being accepted in the training program with the possibility of increasing the current 32 trainees per year to 120 next year and even 45 in 2017. These would cover the growing demand for qualified specialists especially in the Porsche centers in the Middle East and Asia Pacific growth markets. Aside from Robert’s initiative, Porsche executives concede, “Good English language skills and the good work ethic the people of the Philippines are known for are beneficial here.”

The Philippine operations of the PTRCA is being ran by Porsche Philippines managing director, Roberto “Ompee” Coyiuto III and executive director Anthony “Nick” Lagmay, under whose tandem stewardship, Porsche Philippines is reportedly experiencing record highs in both volume and profits these past two years.

Ford Philippines changes guards

Members of the Philippine motoring media were invited to a traditional American kind of Thanksgiving Party, with turkey and all last week by whom else but the country’s foremost American auto company, Ford Philippines.

During the dinner, which of course had turkey meat as part of the fine dining menu of Le Jardin Restaurant, Ford executives also took the opportunity to make a very important announcement, an unexpected one though, which is the changing of management leadership in their operations in this part of the world. Ms. Kay Hart, the very gentle, jolly, friendly and of course, add pretty, managing director of Ford Philippines since 2013, has just been promoted (as many expats who have had a hand in Philippine management operations in most multinational companies) to Director, Advanced Consumer Experience Marketing, Asia Pacific and would be based in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford’s global management center.

I had the privilege of being seated right beside the in coming top executive for Ford Philippines (he officially starts December 1), Mr. Lance Mosley during the dinner and had the early chance to know each other. Prior to his Philippine assignment he was Retail Marketing Director for Ford Asia Pacific, based in China I was briefed. I gathered he has been with Ford since after college, which was in North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

They say first impression always counts and lasts and I liked what I saw. He may have big shoes to fill as Kay made quite a good account of herself while at the helm and she has sales figures to show. But I think Lance didn’t come unprepared with 21 years experience in marketing, sales and service and an unadulterated Ford culture.

All the best to Kay and Lance as they both face greater challenges in their new positions.

And to Lance, we extend a very warm welcome to the Philippines. Soon enough you’ll find out why it’s more fun to be here.

New Peugeot 308 launch in high “spirits”

It was as “Frenchie” as a prime French auto brand model launch should be. The 25^th Soiree Beaujolais (Don’t ask me how to pronounce it. Spelling it was hard enough) Food and Wine Festival last November 24 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom was the setting for the unveiling of the Peugeot 308.

Mr. Glen Dasig, the ever-dapper president of Eurobrands Distributor, Inc., exclusive importers of premium Peugeot vehicles in the country was true to his word when he made the invite to the 308’s launch as a celebration of the pride of France with the finest French wine, cheese and delicatessen.

The well-attended grand event almost overshadowed the launch of the Peugeot 308 but it didn’t, what with the 308’s head turning looks and premium features. Our word should not be taken, a close look and a test drive at any of the Peugeot’s dealerships is the best way to be convinced.

An off-road test dare

As if saying, “Kaya ninyo ba ito?” (Are you capable of doing this?), Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently held a special public off-road test to highlight the 4x4 capabilities of its flagship models, the Isuzu mu-X and the Isuzu D-MAX pick-up at the Open Grounds of the Bonifacio Global City.

Designed to demonstrate the vehicles’ performance, the test course included an artificial ramp station, roller slips and the 40-degree traverse angle ramp. The highlight was the giant 20-foot inclined steel ramp or “thrill hill”, which ultimately tested the vehicles’ power.

With absolute confidence, the very amiable IPC president Hajime Koso said during the event, “The Isuzu off-road test is designed to push the limit of our mu-X and D-MAX models. We want the public not just to see but to experience by themselves the true power of our new 3.0-liter VGS turbo variants.”

Happy Motoring!!!

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