Big events, launches you may have missed
Aside from big automotive shows— the Manila International Auto Show held last March 30 to April 2, the 26th edition of the Trans Sport Show held last April 20 to 23 and the Isuzu Truck Fest, also held last April 20 to 23— you may perhaps missed some of these equally important motoring- related events during the first four months of 2017.
Here’s a refresher.
February
In February, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation ( MMPC) turned over to President Rodrigo Duterte the very first car— a Mirage G4— built under to the CARS ( Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy) program.
No less that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation ( MMC) president Osamu Masuko and MMPC president and CEO Yoshiaki Kato presented the car to Duterte.
With the start of the production of the Mirage G4 ( and the Mirage hatchback by May), MMPC aims to manufacture 20,000 units by the end of the year.
The new stamping plant at its Sta. Rosa, Laguna complex is currently being constructed, and will start operation in January 2018 to even increase local content and boost MMPC’s production volumes by 50 percent.
The Philippines, being one of the most important markets for MMC, has already invested P4.3 billion for the production facilities and equipment required for the localization of the Mirage models. The Mirage is one of MMC’s global car models.
The CARS program is a fiscal- capped, time- bound and performance- based program provided by the government to help elevate the Philippine automotive industry.
One of its objectives is to help transform the country into an automotive manufacturing hub in the region.
The government will give incentives to car manufacturers who can commit to manufacture 200,000 vehicles of their chosen model in a span of six years.
February- March
From 2014 to 2016, the Asian leg of the Shell Ecomarathon had been staged at the historic Rizal Park where a specially- designed street circuit was built in front of the Quirino Grandstand.
This unique and global— similar events are also held in the Americas and Europe each year— competition that challenges college students to design, build and drive the most energy- efficient car attracted not only the top universities and colleges in Metro Manila but also those in far away provinces.
Even those with limited financial support were emboldened to join considering they only have to be in Manila for a couple of days.
But with Singapore becoming this year’s venue for the Asian leg of the competition, many interested teams from the Philippines were not able to participate.
Aside from financial issues, participants also needed to consider the number of days they will have to be away from school, family and other obligations.
Another consideration was logistics, i. e., transporting entry vehicles and spare parts.
Shell was able to address this when it organized the country’s first- ever Shell Ecomarathon Challenger Philippines last Feb. 3 to 5 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
The event attracted 26 teams composed of 260 engineering students from 17 educational institutions from all over the country.
This special version of Shell Eco- marathon Asia challenged the participants to utilize an energy mix that included biofuels such as ethanol, to technologies such as compressed natural gas and gas- to- liquids, apart from conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel.
Winners of the event were then supported by Shell in Singapore where they competed last March 16 at Changi Exhibition Centre.
Among top performers included “Siglo,” the entry of Team Dagisik from the University of the Philippines that bagged the first prize in the Urban Concept Battery Electric Category. Siglo posted the highest mileage of 110.03 km/ kwh.
The Philippine entry did not disappoint in Singapore when it placed second, attaining the best time of 106.6 km/ kwh.
Siglo’s number was very close to the eventual winner, the LH- EST of Vietnam’s Lac Hong University that achieved a mileage of 107.8 km/ kwh.
Other notable Philippine entries during the event included the DLSU Eco Car Team- ICE of the De La Salle University. This placed sixth in the Internal Combustion Engine category after attaining 195.9 km per liter.
The winner in this category was Sadewa of Indonesia’s Universitas Indonesia that attained 374.9 kpl.
Aguila of the Mapua Institute of Technology University placed 12th in the Urban Concept Internal Combustion Engine- Prototype Gasoline category after it attained 387.9 kpl.
The winner in this category was Virgin of Thailand’s Sakonnakhon Technical College that attained a phenomenal 2,288.9 kpl.
March
Last month, Petron announced that its recently introduced Blaze 100 gasoline product surpassed Euro 6 standards to become the country’s cleanest and most advanced gasoline product to date.
Petron’s Blaze 100 Euro 6 was rigorously tested and certified by the following leading global laboratories and engine rating experts: Switzerland’s SGS, United Kingdom’s Millbrook Proving Ground, and Germany’s ISP- The Testing Institute.
The current Euro 6 emissions standard is the toughest yet, and has the potential to eliminate majority of exhaust pollutants that have an impact on air quality.
To qualify for Euro 6, a fuel should have significantly reduced particle numbers, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons in vehicle emissions.
Particle number ( PN) is another criterion that separates Euro 5 and Euro 6 fuel standards.
According to Petron, due to its pure formulation and high octane level, Blaze 100 Euro 6 gives motorists six advantages and benefits: improved fuel efficiency, powerful engine performance and acceleration, guaranteed cleaner engines on just one full tank improved combustion with its unique fuel and additive formulation significantly reduced harmful emissions, and reduced maintenance costs.
Petron president and CEO Ramon Ang said that with the high octane rating and low sulfur content, Blaze 100 Euro 6 would be the best gasoline in the market by far in terms of power, efficiency, engine protection, and reduced emissions.
“Since our fuels are locally produced and formulated in our refinery, we can guarantee the quality and consistency of Petron fuels,” Ang said.
Tests showed that Blaze 100 Euro 6 contains less than 3 ppm ( parts per million) sulfur, compared to the Euro 6 standard of 10 ppm maximum.
Euro 4 fuel, which is currently the mandated standard in the country, contains up to 50 ppm.
Blaze 100 Euro 6 also passed the PN tests with flying colors as it was three times cleaner than the limit.
Samples of Blaze 100 Euro 6 were taken from Petron’s Bataan refinery and randomly chosen service stations by SGS.
These samples were then sent to the SGS laboratories in the UK, Singapore and the Philippines.
All samples tested met specifications ( EN 228: 2012) for Euro 6- technology vehicles.
Petron also sent samples to the ISP- The Testing Institute which conducted a gasoline direct injection ( GDI) test.
ISP- The Testing found that the Petron fuel did not cause carbon deposits in GDI engines. GDI is a more advanced engine technology that addresses fuel economy and emissions. It is being used in newer European, American, and Asian car models.
Meanwhile, Millbrook Proving Ground conducted an intake valve deposit test, and found Blaze 100 Euro 6 could clean over 70 percent of engine deposits in 60 hours.
Blaze 100 Euro 6 is available in nearly 300 Petron service stations nationwide.
April
Continuing a long tradition of nurturing racing talents, Total announced its partnership with 16- year old prodigy Jacquelyn Buncio, the first female as well as the youngest motorcycle racer to win the 2016 Philippine Pirelli Superbike Championship held last October.
“Jacq,” as she is often called, is the younger sister of the late superbike legend Maico Buncio. She is set to compete in the upcoming Philippines Superbike Championships 2017 on April 29 and 30.
Buncio has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, garnering a slew of titles, including IR Cup Championships, Second Over- all Champion at the Philippines Scooter Racing 2016, Third Over- all Champion of the Philippine Underbone Racing 2016, Vice Champion at the Moto IR Championship 2016, and Over- all Championship for the Pirelli Lightweight Superbike Category.
Buncio informed that during the race, where she moves up to a new division— from lightweight Class A to middleweight motorcycles— she will be using Hi- Perf, Total’s leading line of motorcycle and scooter engine oils.
Total Hi- Perf is formulated with a super strong film technology that protects the motorcycle engine from severe heat and friction.
Total VP for Lubricants and Specialties Raymond Decena said that Total Hi Perf is proud to be a partner of Buncio in her upcoming race as the company has always supported those with the same drive and passion for excellence.
The French oil giant is a major sponsor of teams as well as drivers competing in the Formula 1 race, World Rally Championship ( WRC), MotoGP, Superbike, and Dakar Rally.