Road Trip

By Tessa R. Salazar Philippine Daily Inquirer

PUT IN ENOUGH RESOURCES and creativity into the mix, and see the local 

aftermarket industry produce world-class customized cars.

And you don't even have to match the scale of such internationally renowned trade shows such as the Tokyo Auto Salon or the Sema. The cars are the stars. They will shine no matter the backdrop.

Thus, singled out from 186 showcased cars sprawled out on 7,180 square meter of floor space, and viewed by no less than 35,000 visitors, five major awards and several special awards were given out to the cars that stood out during the Nov. 26 to 29 staging of the Manila Auto Salon held at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

The five major awards had been categorized as: level to workmanship in exterior; interior; engine and suspension; undercarriage; and the craftsmanship in the restoration and modification.

Alvin Uy, Contributor Philippine Daily Inquirer

The name MINI in the automotive world is quite a paradox. It has such a short name but carries a long history and such a large following.

Introduced in 1959 by the British Motor Corporation (BMC), it was a product created out of necessity and ingenuity. In the mid to late 1950's, the Suez oil crisis made motoring with cars with big bodies and engines quite impractical.

As sales for large cars slumped, microcars like BMW's Isetta and Messerschimitt KR175's were becoming increasingly popular as fuel was being rationed. These cars were also called bubble cars, because of their bubble-like appearance. Leonard Lord of BMC didn't like the way these "bubble cars" were made so he had BMC produce a "proper" miniature car.

The first and original prototype was affectionately called "The Orange Box". The design was confined to a space of a 10 ft. x 4ft. x 4ft. box and its engine had to be an existing production engine. The distinctive two-door car was penned by Sir Alec Issigonis and was manufactured in several plants throughout its initial history. The new MINI however is exclusively produced in Oxford.

By Charles E. Buban PDI WITH ABOUT 3.8 MILLION UNITS officially registered at the Land Transportation Office and many more undocumented, the motorcycle is the ride of choice among Filipinos these days. “There’s no denying that a motorcycle is the country’s most popular form of transport with some 3.8 million units registered as compared to the 1.2 million registered four-wheeled counterpart,” said Suzuki Philippines senior marketing manager Benedict Arreola. Aside from being fuel-efficient as it can cover 35 to 40 kilometers per liter of gasoline, the scooter’s relatively low price also drives the motorcycles’ popularity as many Filipinos still consider cars a large purchase and not something to rush out and buy at the drop of a hat. “This is why as one of the major motorcycle manufacturers in the country, it is our duty to provide the market with models that could uplift their lives as well as define their lifestyle,” explained Suzuki Philippines assistant GM for motorcycle sales and marketing Eiji Kobayashi at the unveiling of its latest 125cc scooter. Kobayashi said the Suzuki Skydrive 125 attractively priced at P68,900  is not just a scooter with new flashy bodywork. Sporty look Everything in the Skydrive 125 has purpose. Its fairings are meant to improve its aerodynamic qualities that not only make the scooter move faster but also allow it to use even less gasoline. Moreover, the scooter’s 14-inch alloy wheels not only add to the sporty look but also sheds unwanted weight. The Skydrive 125, which features an improved four-stroke, air-cooled, Euro 2-compliant engine, is already compatible with E10 (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline mixture). This not only increases the engine’s compression ratio (for higher engine efficiency) but also reduces the emission of carbon monoxide thus boosting the campaign for cleaner air in the metropolis. Quantum leap The Skydrive 125’s advance electronic fuel injection certainly marks a quantum leap for Suzuki, according to Arreola. The fuel injection system automatically optimizes fuel supply to various running conditions. It features an innovative Discharge Pump Fuel Injection and ultra modern Engine Control Module that enhances smooth power delivery and fuel efficiency (the Skydrive is rated to 125 deliver a 35 to 40 kilometers per liter efficiency, which is certainly an excellent achievement for a scooter). According to Suzuki Philippines president Satoshi Uchida, the Skydrive 125 complements Suzuki’s current CVT models, the Step 125 and Hayate and was delighted that this early 120 units were already sold. “The market’s growing demand for this type of motorcycles shows that more and more Filipinos are looking for personal rides that are easy to operate, cost efficient, reliable, easy to maintain and service,” said Suzuki Philippines managing director Catalina Calderon. Calderon added that with its popularity the company is also advocating safety riding. “A well built scooter like the Skydrive will still depend on its rider who should possess the necessary skills and strict attention to safety. After all, the time you save commuting by scooter is too valuable to spend in a hospital’s emergency room,” she said.

By Fung Yu Contributor Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required to view the 360-degree VRs. Average VR size is 2.5Mb each. January 7, 2009 saw Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. launch the all new City. The much anticipated third generation Honda City, following the recent success of the new Jazz, completes Honda’s all i-VTEC line-up and reinforces its claim in the passenger car segment. Taking inspiration from an arrowshot concept, the new City ascertains sleek and powerful stance from any angle. It features streamlined grille, sharp headlights harmonization, smoother contours and a 15-inch tire size to enhance its overall sporty appearance. With cutting-edge design and technologies that set new standards in its class, the City merges modernism with practicality for an ultimate driving pleasure, forever changing the rules on how subcompacts should be. Sharing the same powerplant as the Jazz, the i-VTEC engine of the new City delivers maximum power output of 120ps at 6600rpm and 100ps at 6000rpm for the 1.5 liter and the 1.3 liter variants respectively. The i-VTEC engine technology delivers power and torque intelligently, thus contributing to a fuel efficient driving performance. Further fuel efficiency is enhanced with a 5-speed automatic transmission to reduce engine revolution and stress. An F1-inspired paddle shift (available only for the 1.5E variant) enables manual shifting of gears without the clutch to deliver superb driving pleasure of a manual transmission. Retaining its compact form despite the increase in interior and trunk space, the all new City radiates a refreshing atmosphere with careful selection of materials and design. The spacious interior creates a relaxing ambience filled with strength and character. It instantly relaxes and cools down passenger auras as soon as they get in. Complimenting the City’s relaxing air is an advanced audio system that is compatible with iPod and other MP3 players via USB and AUX ports. A multi-information display in the instrument panel also makes it possible to easily track fuel consumption with the fuel economy and range indicators in LCD. The new City conforms to EURO 4 level emission standards, a G-CON body structure, ABS with EBD and Brake-Assist comes standard, plus dual SRS airbags are available for the 1.5E and 1.3S variants. The City continues to be manufactured in Honda’s Sta. Rosa plant in Laguna, a testament of Honda’s confidence in local manufacturing operations and commitment to the Philippine government and the Filipino people. Our 2-day media test drives of the Honda City in the serene province of Bohol toke us on a tour of its prime tourist attractions. On the first day we visited the Clarin Ancestral House in Loay with no less than the former mayor, Mr. Olegario Clarin Jr. as our guide; after which we proceeded to interact with the tarsiers, the world’s smallest primate, near the town of Loboc; a sumptuous buffet lunch awaited us aboard the boat in the Loboc River as we cruised down its emerald waters while being serenaded with folk songs; a stop at the Baclayon Church, one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines; picture taking in the Blood Compact Commemorative Shrine in Barangay Bool; and finally to the classy Amorita Resort in Alona Beach, Panglao Island as we spent the night in total bliss and tranquility. The following day’s drive to Bohol’s best attraction, the Chocolate Hills, fueled us with excitement that morning. The new City was really put to the test in the 3.5 hours drive that took us crossing the municipalities of Dauis, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Candijay, Alicia, Pilar, Siera Bullones, and finally to Carmen (site of the Chocolate Hills view deck) on paved coastal roads. The long and relaxing drive on the new City certainly made me appreciate this car even more. Even with the searing heat of the mid-day sun, the increase airflow of the car kept us in cooling comfort. Overall, majority of the car features performed flawlessly, and the drive was indeed one of rule-changing comfort, performance, safety, and style. You can read my related article on Bohol here.  All VRs taken on March 2-3, 2009. The author can be reached at: fung@firefly.ph

Lawrence Casiraya INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines – Eighty-eight Petron gas stations will offer free service check-ups, as the oil firm kicks off its annual summer motorist assistance program, according to a statement from the company. Petron’s "Lakbay Alalay" program is on its 23rd year and is the biggest yet in terms of area covered, the statement said. For the first time, the company has expanded the program outside of Luzon, with 13 stations in the Visayas and 10 stations in Mindanao, it said. This adds to 40 Metro Manila stations, 14 Northern Luzon stations and 10 South Luzon stations offering free service check-ups, it said. Free service check-ups can be availed from March 1 to April 12 and are meant to help motorists prepare for their Holy Week travel, it said. Starting this month, participating Petron stations will offer free service checks on tire pressure, oil and radiator water level and brakes inspection, it said. During Holy Week, Petron will also offer free roadside assistance inside the major tollways including the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Star Tollway and Coastal Road, it said. On April 8 to 9 (Holy Wednesday & Maundy Thursday) and then on April 11 to 12 (Black Saturday & Easter Sunday), Petron Lakbay Alalay teams will also offer free minor car repairs as well as first aid assistance, it said. Radio traffic reports courtesy of Petron will also keep motorists informed about driving conditions, it said. Petron also partnered with the Department of Transportation and Communication for "Ligtas-Lakbay, Tuloy ang Buhay," its road safety awareness advocacy designed to make travelers more safety-conscious, it said.

By Hector Olympus Contributor It was in the early years of the new millennium when motorcycles started to swarm over the streets of Metro Manila. I would assume that whoever was the brainchild in promoting XRMs here in the county would have already earned a big bonus. But this happened as people opted to reduce their cost of spending in transportation. Thus the use of small motorcycles became a hit, particularly to male workers and company messengers. Rider friends told me that they save a lot since they started using motorcycles. Also, it was easier to wade through traffic using motorcycles. I have seen more people buying motorcycles. Dealers now make it easier for consumers to buy a unit under good credit terms. If my taxi driver-friend is correct, you can now purchase and get that unit in one day if you’re ready to pay P10,000 as downpayment. Also, I was told motorcycle dealers do not do credit investigations. They only ask for a few documents as proof of income. So with the increase of riders in Metro Manila comes the increase in motorcycle-related accidents. This is very alarming because in TV morning shows, they usually report motorcycle accidents. I have a high school classmate who was killed in a motorcycle accident. She was in her twenties. Her husband who was driving survived but was paralyzed. An officemate once told me, "Hindi na ako gagamit ng sasakyang na may dalawang gulong. Napaka-delikado. Isang maliit na bato lang ang katapat niyan, aksidente ang tuloy [I don’t want to use any vehicle with two wheels. It’s risky. A rock on the road can lead to an accident]." I agree. In 2008, road authorities have increased their regulations by requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets and limiting passengers to two. But seems this is not enough because accidents continue to happen. Here are some of my thoughts about motorcycles in the country. I believe motorbike riders should be re-oriented on responsible driving. I have seen riders who speed up and race pass cars and jeepneys. Some riders also violate road regulations such as wearing the proper helmet. I remember one comment, "Sa ulo dapat sinusuot ang helmet, hindi sa siko [You use your helmets to protect your head not your elbow]." I also see a lot of overloaded motorcycles—some carrying up to 4 passengers. Amazing. Is it the Land Transportation Office imposing regulations on motorcycle drivers? I hope they can ensure that licensed applicants are aware of the road regulations. I see a lot of young people (below 18 years old), especially in the provinces who ride motorcycles. Sadly, when they figure in an accident, there seems to be some trouble implementing road regulations. I hope officials don’t take bribes in exchange for a driver’s license. The MMDA should also tighten their watch on violators. Violators should be apprehended. It doesn’t matter who they are. Violators should not be tolerated. There should be a dedicated motorcycle lane in Metro Manila. It may be costly. But if it means saving lives, then it is a must. You can also visit the author's blog at http://sonofpriam.blogspot.com.

By Kerry Sheridan Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON -- Faced with the looming threat of bankruptcy, US automakers fretted Monday while White House officials studied the sputtering companies' finances but reported no moves toward a bailout. President George W. Bush, who has hinted the government could tap a massive federal rescue package to aid the automakers, said on the way from Iraq to Afghanistan that an agreement on how to remedy the carmakers' plight was not imminent. "We're now in the process of working through with the stakeholders a way forward, and we're not quite ready to announce that yet," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. But he added that "this will not be a long process because of the economic -- the fragility of the autos." The president's remarks came as lawmakers warned that time was running out for the auto giants, and traded blame with auto union chiefs over the collapse last week in the Senate of a short-term rescue bill. The Big Three US automakers -- General Motors, Ford and Chrysler -- have cautioned about the potential for millions of job losses, which would send ripple effects through the already faltering economy. "Each of the companies has a very different situation, although both Chrysler and GM are on the verge of bankruptcy, I think just a few days away," Republican Senator Bob Corker said on Fox. Corker, who was the Senate's pointman for a series of adjustments to the House of Representatives bailout bill, said the Senate deal faltered over how to restructure the struggling companies. "We have a problem and that is we have a group of people who think that the companies ought to go bankrupt," Corker told CBS. "And then we have a group of people who just want to put money on top of a capital structure that will not work," pointing to General Motors, which he said holds 62 billion dollars in debt. "Every car they make, they're at a competitive disadvantage because they are disadvantaged by their labor costs," Corker said. In turn, auto representatives accused Republicans of seeking to impose unfair wage cuts. "We need this money ... this low-interest bridge loan to get us through an emergency situation here, an economic downturn," United Auto Workers chief Ron Gettelfinger told CNN, accusing Republicans of politicizing the issue by calling for US manufacturers to bring their pay in line with foreign automakers. The Senate failed Thursday to agree on a House of Representatives bill that would have funneled 14 billion dollars in short-term loans to the Big Three in a bid to sustain them through March. Before the bridge-loan bill collapsed, Bush had opposed using money from the 700-billion-dollar Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) -- originally created to help financial services firms -- to help the auto industry. When asked by reporters on the plane to Afghanistan if TARP funds would be used, Bush answered: "I signaled that that's a possibility." White House and Treasury officials have said they were considering "a full range of options," according to one senior administration official. While Gettelfinger said his union representatives have "not entered into any discussions with the administration at this point," Corker said he had been in touch with Treasury and the White House but their path remained unclear. "This weekend, they're meeting with Treasury officials. And the Treasury officials are meeting with the companies, talking with them, talking about where their balance sheets are," the senator told CBS. "I don't think they yet know what they're going to do. GM has said it will run out of money by the end of the year unless it gets government aid, and has hired legal and financial advisors to study the possibility of bankruptcy. The largest US automaker on Friday said it had idled 30 percent of its North American production "in response to rapidly deteriorating market conditions." Chrysler and Ford have also appealed to lawmakers for federal aid. Democratic Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania told CNN that the government should step in to avoid failure of any of the Big Three. "We can't afford to lose hundreds of thousands of jobs in the next several weeks, which is what would happen if one of these goes down." A fellow Senate Democrat, Debbie Stabenow, whose state of Michigan is home to the embattled auto companies, stressed that the aid should be temporary. "It's about giving them time to be able to restructure, everyone -- workers, the CEOs, the suppliers, the bondholders, everybody -- so that they have a long-term, viable industry," she said.

By Agence France-Presse TOKYO, Japan -- Countries face massive job losses unless they move quickly to provide financial assistance to their carmakers, Renault-Nissan head Carlos Ghosn warned Monday. "Job destruction will be massive in those countries that do not rapidly help the auto sector to finance itself," said Ghosn, who turned Nissan around a decade ago. "It will not be seen immediately, but in a few years," he told a symposium in Japan. The global slowdown has badly shaken Japan's automakers, which in recent years have cashed in on worldwide demand for their cars. Fears are also mounting of a collapse of the Big Three US automakers, which are pleading for urgent government aid.

ROCK AND ROLL OVER. Cops of the summer capital now drive around in these all-terrain vehicles, part of its modernization drive. But police officers still have no weapon against second-hand smoke. (Photo by Vincent Cabreza of INQUIRER Northern Luzon Bureau)

By Agence France-Presse BRUSSELS -- New car sales in Europe slumped 14.5 percent in October, the European automakers association ACEA announced Friday, as the global financial crisis plunges the region into recession. The figures marked the sixth consecutive monthly fall in new car registrations which were also down 5.4 percent for the 10 months to October. "Reflecting the financial and economic crisis, new car registrations have now decreased for six consecutive months," the association said in a report. The figures were released amid expectations that the 15-nation eurozone would be formally declared in recession later in the day. The European Commission was swift to respond to the disappointing car figures. Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said that the EU is ready to take action at the World Trade Organisation if it judges that US aid for its struggling auto industry is "illegal." The US Congress approved an aid package worth 25 billion dollars in September to help the auto industry invest in new generation technology but no timetable was fixed for payments to be made. Meanwhile, European automakers -- who have cast an envious eye at the US plan and called for similar action at home -- have been forced to close factories and cut jobs. "We are looking at the (US) plan. The plan has not yet been made official but certainly, if it amounts to illegal state aid we will act at the WTO," Barroso told Europe 1 radio when asked about the US bailout package. Since then, problems have mounted as the global financial crisis has savaged the economy, with all three US majors -- General Motors, Ford and Chrysler -- clamouring for help in the same way as Washington has bailed out the US banks. The economic news coming out of Europe was making equally gloomy reading. Official figures released Friday in Rome showed the Italian economy in recession -- defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. A day earlier Europe's biggest economy Germany declared itself in recession while the French economy only narrowly escaped the "R" word. A reecssion announcement on the eurozone as a whole was expected later Friday. In total, 1.134 million new cars were registered in Europe in October in the 28 countries reviewed -- the 27 EU member states, minus Cyprus and Malta but plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Only the Austrian car market avoided the sales drop, while Ireland and Spain crashed 54.6 percent and 40 percent respectively in October compared to the same month last year. The Spanish figures were at their lowest for 13 years. In response to waning sales, French car maker PSA Peugeot-Citroen has ordered a 30 percent production cut while Renault is to temporarily shut down several factories in France and Europe as the global financial crisis undercuts the economy. The bad news on car sales news has had ramifications beyond the auto industry. Last month, steel giant ArcelorMittal announced it was shutting down furnaces at a dozen sites across Europe for at least six months in response to a sharp fall in demand from crisis-hit carmakers. The car registration figures were less grim, according to the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), in the mainly eastern European new member state markets, with sales down 3.3 percent in October. The Polish market was up 12.3 percent over October 2007. All main carmakers saw their sales drop with Chrysler, already a relatively small player in Europe, seeing its figures fall by a whopping 49.4 percent. General Motors, the biggest US carmaker, saw its October sales fall by a little over 25 percent. Germany's Volkswagen sold the most cars in Europe last month, with 249,948 new vehicles registered, a drop of 7.6 percent over the same month last year.