This monthin motoring

How time flies! As another month of 2010 draws to a close, we look back at several significant events in the world of Philippine motoring. February 2010 was marked by the launch of a brand new vehicle, the arrival of a new automotive brand, the re-launch of a line of high end vehicles, and a pair of significant ride and drive events, which were held almost simultaneously. What has traditionally been a lean month for the automotive world had motoring scribes scrambling to leave no stone unturned in covering the events. No worries. It’s a good problem, we’d wager. As usual, The Philippine STAR motoring team was there to cover them all. Here are the significant details of each…

---> The Great Wall cometh

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., China’s first privately owned automaker listed in the Hong Kong stock market, is set to introduce six models in the Philippine automobile market. Statemotor Corporation was appointed by Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. to be its official Philippine distributor. Already, Great Wall dealerships in Alabang and North EDSA are being built, with more to be established in 2010 nationwide.

According to Statemotor president Allen Roxas, “Statemotor Corp. has been tapped by Great Wall Motor Co. to bring high-quality and cost-effective products to the Philippine market, namely, the Florid compact passenger car, Peri sub-compact passenger car, Wingle 4x2 and 4x4 pickup, Cowry MPV, Coolbear compact passenger car and Hover 4x2 and 4x4 SUV.

“Great Wall’s entry into the Philippine market is timely because in 2010, its overall production capacity will reach 500,000 units and in the coming three years, it will invest RMB10 billion in R&D, production facilities and new product development,” Roxas stressed.

---> Isuzu’s southern trail

On the first weekend of February, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) held “Trailing Southern Luzon with the 2010 Isuzu Alterra and Caltex Diesel with Techron D”. The Isuzu Alterra is known to have one of the most pleasurable ride experiences in the large SUV class and IPC was raring to stress this point.

“We were getting a lot of positive feedback from Alterra owners,” said IPC president Keiji Takeda. “Most of them tell us they are really satisfied with their SUV especially on long, out-of-town drives. So we invited some members of the media to do this long-distance drive and asked them to see for themselves if what our customers are saying is really true. We picked Southern Luzon because of the long, scenic route and the various types of terrain that are available in the region, which make it a perfect place to test and experience the ride comfort of the Alterra.”

The drive had several members of the motoring media drive all the way up to luxurious Misibis Bay Raintree Resort in Albay. Through the long drive, participants were able to experience the 2010 Isuzu Alterra’s new features like the new-design dashboard; garnish for the door cluster; a 2-DIN dashboard audio head unit; and new moquette seat material for the Zen Edition. The famed ride of Isuzu’s flagship SUV, of course, was still the main highlight of the trip.

----> Mercedescapades

At right around the same time that the Isuzu media contingent was making its way to Albay, a separate group of motoring media practitioners was heading to nearby Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC), where CATS Motors, exclusive distributors of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the country, were hosting their own ride and drive event, aptly called Mercedescapades. Mercedescapades was actually a unique form of breast beating as CATS Motors paraded several of their most select models in the long drive. Included in the drive were an ML350 CDI, a GL320 CDI, a C320 CDI, an E250 CGI, an E300, and an S400 Hybrid.

Thoroughly highlighted during the long drive were the prowess of the new Mercedes Benz diesel engines (which were fitted in the CDI models specified above) and the absolutely evil green technology enhanced gasoline V6 engine of the S400 Hybrid, which was ably supplemented by an electric motor and perhaps the most efficient lithium ion battery in the country. Long straights through the Bicol region, the twisting roads of Bitukang Manok, the pesky traffic of Metro Manila, you name it, the convoy went through it. And we were none the worse for wear. I guess that’s half-expected when you drive around town (and way out of it) in some of the latest Mercedes-Benz models to hit the country.

Ford’s new business class

Ford Group Philippines, meanwhile, introduced their version of upgraded business class towards the middle of the month. Leading the charge is the 2010 Ford Expedition EL, which features 14.8 inches more in overall length that provides 24 cubic feet of added cargo space from the standard Ford Expedition. It features top-of-the-line luxury standard equipment, including a reverse-gear camera, SOS post crash alert, Easy Fuel™ capless fuel system, and AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) with a new TrailerSway Control Feature. It also now comes with 20” Chrome Clad Aluminum Alloy Wheels.

While last year’s Ford Expedition EL featured the all-new technology of SYNC for best-in-vehicle communication and entertainment, this year, the 2010 Ford Expedition EL also introduces the new MyKey safety innovation – programming the car’s top speed and audio volume, encouraging the use of seatbelts, and providing earlier low-fuel warnings.

The 2010 Ford E-150 Club Wagon, on the other hand, brings to the Filipino consumer maximum space and the highest levels of safety. Powered by a 4.6-liter E85–capable engine and with standard AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®), the 2010 edition now also features SYNC.

The 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer’s impressive host of safety features include AdvanceTrac with RSC and Trailer Sway Control complementing Safety Canopy™, Ford’s Belt-Minder®, Intelligent Safety System™. These complete the suite of advanced adaptive technologies working together as a system for the safest SUV ride. Added to this, the 2010 Ford Explorer now also features Ford SYNC connectivity technology.

---> Chevrolet Cruze unveiled

Bringing up the rear in this month’s list of events is the launch of the Chevrolet Cruze. Now, the Chevrolet Cruze launch is in no way less significant than the aforementioned motoring highlights. It just so happens that the launch itself won’t be held until the end of this day. As such, you’re actually getting a heads up on this bit of news as you read.

The Chevrolet Cruze is the model that replaces the aging Optra. General Motors (GM) and its new local distributor, The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), are pinning their hopes on the car, envisioning it as the reinvigorating model that puts the Chevrolet brand back on the automotive map. Warmly received in Europe, North America and in select regions in Asia, GM and TCCCI have reason to be optimistic. We have already driven and subsequently written about the car (The Philippine STAR, Business Motoring Section, Wednesday, February 24, 2010 and you can turn to page N-3 for more on the Chevrolet Cruze as seen through the eyes of James Deakin). And we have to say we are impressed.

Built by a truly international team composed of members from Germany, the United States and Australia, it is bound to compete tooth and nail for its place in the sun amongst such notable models as the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Honda Civic, the Mitsubishi Lancer, the Ford Focus and the like. Initially offered with a 1.8-liter, 141 hp powerplant, it comes in four variants that are priced competitively. Its exterior design speaks rather eloquently about Chevrolet’s new design language even as its interior amenities and safety features move up by a few notches compared to its immediate predecessor. Without a doubt, the Chevrolet Cruze will be a significant player in the automotive scene for many years to come.