25TH-YEAR REVELRIES AND MORE Of silver jubilee, racing fest, and a roadshow
These recent events were just signs of good things to come for the motoring industry as we slowly recover from the pandemonium of the past few years
The local automotive world has recently been loaded with goings-on, which has been rarely seen in the past few years. This is good since the pandemic has hampered in-person events these couple of years. Now, with the easing of restrictions, vaccination, and strict implementation of safety protocols, the road to recovery seems promising.
25 years and more
And speaking of promising, one Japanese company that has been fulfilling its potential for the past two decades has been Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), which just celebrated its 25th year in the local vehicle market.
In a ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City with shareholders, dealers, suppliers, banks, media, and many others, IPC president Noboru Murakami acknowledged everyone who contributed to their success, “The main reason why IPC has attained these countless achievements throughout the years is because we have the unwavering support of each and every one of you.”
Other the IPC head honcho, the King of Diesel engines received congratulatory messages from Koji Nakamura — Isuzu Motors Ltd. executive officer; Kyoya Kondo — Mitsubishi Corporation’s division COO; Antonio “Toti” Zara III — AC Motors Automobile Group president and Johnny Fetalvero — House of Investment senior vice president and car business operations head.
Apart from the revelries, IPC also shared the company’s plans on adhering to the sustainable development goals through their new vision: “Road to Progress,” which is going to be the underlying motive of their business activities and goals moving forward.
For IPC, the “Road to Progress” vision aims to realign the company’s business process through a new perspective focusing on environment, social and governance aspect. One of the steps IPC takes in protecting the environment is shifting its energy source from coal power plant to renewable sources like solar power plant to decrease carbon emission of its manufacturing plant.
The truck maker is also encouraging its dealers to follow its lead in switching to renewable energy in the next years, envisioning lower carbon footprint for the entire Isuzu dealer network.
Greener roadshow
Another carmaker that is also taking big steps in lowering its carbon footprint is Chery Auto Philippines. In fact, it is actively promoting its flagship model — the Tiggo 8 Pro, which comes with a plug-in hybrid variant — through a nationwide roadshow.
On its first stop held at SM Aura Premier in Taguig City, visitors there were treated with a bespoke experience featuring the all-new Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6 turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TDGI) and Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV, showcasing their equally luxurious interior and exterior. Here, guests were able to tour the vehicles and see their outstanding features, while enjoying coffee in the lounge. Test drive activities were also made available for the other Tiggo lineup, from Tiggo 2 PRO, Tiggo 5x, Tiggo 7 PRO all the way to the Tiggo 8 PRO lineup.
The Tiggo 8 Pro has advanced driver assist systems with 12 safety functions, including rear cross traffic assist, blind spot detection, autonomous emergency braking, door opening warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist, integrated cruise assist, intelligent high-beam control, lane departure warning, and speed limit sign recognition. It retails for as low as P1,645,000.
On top of a complete suite of luxury experiences, the vehicle also comes with Premium Preserv, one of the best warranty packages in the local market. It features a seven-year engine warranty, a seven-year general warranty, a three-year full preventive maintenance service, and three-year roadside assistance.
The next stops for the roadshow will take place in SM Megamall, Eastwood City, Estancia, SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, Lucky Chinatown, and Glorietta. It will further go to other parts in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Racing festival like no other
When it comes to local motorsports, nothing beats Toyota Motor Philippines as it has done it with its flagship model, the Toyota Vios, for almost a decade. And for the past couple of years, it has upped the ante with its Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival.
Recently, other than its usual Vios Cup, TMP had something up its sleeve as it gathered around 200 dealer representatives from all over the country, the local motoring media and other executives to a three-day affair at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
Here, we were able to experience the newest models in its GR lineup, such as the Toyota Supra and Yaris, not to mention the spruced up OEM Toyota Vios.
It was done through a race-themed event, wherein we were pitted behind the wheel in a slalom race, drag race and a drive around the full race track.
“The objective here is for the dealers and the media to personally experience what it was like to race inside these amazing vehicles,” TMP AVP
for marketing services, Elvin Luciano shared during one exclusive interview.
“We want them to enjoy the experience — which I believe — we were able to achieve since all of them were having fun while driving the cars,” he added.
And speaking of fun, this writer had — indeed — a time of his life driving behind the wheel — and perhaps more importantly, riding shotgun with motorsport greats, such as Marlon Stockinger and Ferdie Ong. Not to mention reaching the podium in a mini race held for the members of the media.
Other than the high-speed affairs, TMP also made a preview of the Toyota GR 86.
All in all, these recent events were just signs of good things to come for the motoring industry as we slowly recover from the pandemonium of the past few years. No matter how slow, we can — at least say — that we are now surely looking forward to more face-to-face events in the next few weeks; and of course, even though it may sound cliché — a brighter future ahead.