Modern PUVs rolling out…old ones?
One after another, news about turnovers and contract signing of multi-million peso orders (related story in this column) of newly designed and modern public utility vehicles filled up websites, newspapers and evening newscasts. The Department of Transportation is gung ho in its lead role in the government’s Public Utility
Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP) as more from the business sector, specifically the automotive industry’s engine suppliers and body fabricators, get themselves deeply involved with more expressing interest in participating.
Although the present supply is barely making a dent into the prescribed demand, which by the way has been raised to 500,000 vehicles and not 200,000 as the government admittedly fibbed about, a lot of these modern vehicles have been fielded and many are already plying routes.
The question now is as the streets get more filled up by more vehicles, though new, modern with non-toxic emissions, are the old, illegal, 15-yearold-and-above, rolling coffins still running and are alongside? If so, no wonder the traffic gets worse by the day. Gee whiz, is somebody watching over this? Is the Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok campaign still being implemented or another government ningas cogon?
ALL-NEW VIOS TO TAKE COUNTRY BY STORM?
A full model changed has been undertaken on the country’s top-selling passenger car, the Toyota Vios. And the Philippine motoring media came to the Okada Manila to watch its official unveiling. Toyota Motor Philippines president, Satoru Suzuki led the executives of the country’s top automobile manufacturing enterprise in distinguishing
the all-new model from its very well-received successor, “The all-new Vios is packed with top-notch specifications and first-rate accessories, with its riding comfort complementing its sporty design. Most of all, it prides itself with a five-star ASEAN New Car Assessment Program or NCAP rating with its advanced safety features. This remarkable car has almost everything the customer is looking for. Its signature quality, durability, and reliability remains unrivaled by any other brand or model, making it the best in its class.” Toyota Philippines’ soft-spoken top executive added in his welcome speech, “Backed by our strong Toyota Value Chain, providing the best customer experience from purchase to ownership, until re-purchase, we are confident that the all-new Vios will continue to make its mark as the best-selling passenger car in the country”.
One of the first questions asked during the media conference that immediately followed its unveiling was whether the loyal followers of the
Vios Cup races can look forward to seeing the all-new Vios in all its glory in the upcoming staging this weekend at the Filinvest street circuit. In response to our query, we were apprised that we would have to wait for the next series, as time would not permit any kind of racecar preparation.
We also learned from Suzuki-san that the first-generation Vios, which was first introduced in the country in 2003, was previously manufactured in Thailand and reached our shores as Completely Built Units (CBU). Realizing its potential and market acceptance, TMP decided to produce the second-generation Vios in its own manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa,
Laguna from 2007. During the well-attended event it was also proudly announced by TMP that in the month of June 2018, Toyota achieved another momentous milestone — an impressive 1.5 million cumulative sales.
Congratulations to Toyota Motor Philippines!
Mahindra Modern Jeepneys totaling 1,000 units worth P2 billion have been committed to join and support the government’s Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program with the formal signing of the landmark deal between Felix Mabilog, president of Mahindra Philippines and Dennise Trajano, managing director of EcoDyip, Inc. last Friday, July 20 at the Megatent in Libis, Quezon City.
During the signing ceremony the youthful top executive of EcoDyip, Inc. was quoted as saying, “His company is venturing into the local jeepneybound commuter line and feels confident that the Mahindra T20 and Supro Modern Jeepney, which it has chosen as carriers are more than capable in meeting the requirements of the commuting public.”
“Having tested the Mahindra T20 and Supro Modern Jeepneys on the road for days, I find the vehicle responsive, efficient and has good handling capabilities,” Trajano says. “One advantage worth mentioning is its airconditioning system which can provide comfortable cooling power even when the units are fully loaded,” he added. In a statement released during the event, we learned that Mahindra/ Columbian Autocar Corp. has a modern and fully equipped Assembly Plant in a sprawling 10-hectare complex at the Laguna International Industrial Plant (LIIP) in Laguna. It is capable of assembling more than 10,000 units annually; a fact not lost on Trajano and EcoDyip Inc. when the decision to place the big order was made. Furthermore, the media was apprised that the powertrain for the Mahindra T20 and the cab and chassis for the Mahindra Supro Modern Jeepneys are imported from India but the body, flooring, roof, leather (or vinyl seats) and other customized modifications are fabricated in the Philippines. Enhancing the milestone event, the first 100 units were turned over right after the well-attended signing ceremonies.
With members of the country’s motoring media, numbering 30 in tow composed of editors, reporters, cameramen, etc., Isuzu Philippines conducted a fuel performance run involving three DMax pickups and four
mu-X SUVs. The exercise was aimed to demonstrate the vaunted fuel performance of the Isuzu vehicles to the motoring media and, at the same time, give the journalists a hands-on experience driving and riding them.
From the documented experience the following impressive figures came out. The final destination of the participants was the Thunderbird Resort and Casino in La Union where the latest upgraded iteration of the Isuzu D-Max was given an exclusive media unveiling. Happy Motoring!!!