By INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The number coding scheme for Thursday, All Saints’ Day, and Friday, All Souls’ Day has been suspended, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has said.

This means that vehicles with plate numbers ending in 7 and 8 on Thursday and 9 and 0 on Friday can travel.

Number coding is a traffic scheme that seeks to decongest traffic in Metro Manila. Vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 are banned from the road on Monday; 3 and 4 on Tuesday; 5 and 6 on Wednesday; 7 and 8, Thursday; and 9 and 0, Friday. Thea Alberto

By Riza T. Olchondra
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–In anticipation of the exodus to and from Southern Luzon for All Saints’ Day, the South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) has deployed 24-hour maintenance and emergency teams at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) starting this Tuesday, according to an SLTC advisory.

The teams will have road equipment and supplies, including generators and fuel, according to the advisory. The SLTC has cancelled all personnel days-off to monitor the annual activity on All Saints’ Day dubbed “Oplan Kaluluwa,” it said.

All construction related activities which may affect traffic flow were suspended until Nov. 4 although normal worksite schedules will be observed in non-traffic areas, it said.

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By Tessa R. Salazar
Inquirer

WHILE Japanese manufacturers are busy hosting local motoring journalists from the Philippines for the 2007 edition of the Tokyo Motor Show, rival Korean carmakers have been patient and busy reinforcing their product lineups in the local market, slowly eating away at the huge market share the Land of the Rising Sun has traditionally enjoyed in the Pearl of the Orient Seas.

The reinforcements from Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. Philippines are expected to face off with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The Azera (P1.758 million), Sonata 2.4L (P1.238 million) and Sonata 3.3L (P1.318 million) were launched simultaneously just last week. Azera and Sonata are CBUs (completely built up units) from Korea.

People mover

In the other Korean frontline, Kia has revealed what it touts as its version of the Chevy Town and Country with its people-mover 2.9-liter Carnival. Columbian Auto Cars, Kia’s exclusive distributor in the Philippines, now offers its lifestyle-centered eight-seater family vehicle with a common rail direct injection diesel engine versions.

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By Agence France-Presse

CHIBA, Japan–Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp. has unveiled a prototype motorbike with a zero-emission fuel cell that is cooled by air.

The “Crosscage” motorbike has a fuel cell set in a simple chassis and a hydrogen tank protected by an X-shaped metal frame cage. The fuel cell was developed by Intelligent Energy of Britain.

The motorbike, which is on display at the Tokyo Motor Show, is said to be free of noise and vibration, and has a lithium-ion battery below the tank for extra power.

“Fuel cell motorbikes tend to have podgy scooter-like bodies given the large size of the system. But this compact system enabled us to propose a sporty, slim design,” said Suzuki motorcycle marketing official Kenji Mori.

By Tessa R. Salazar
Inquirer

TOKYO, Japan–It’s ogling time again.

For 17 days, Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan will be home to motoring journalists and car enthusiasts from all over this third planet from the Sun for the 40th Tokyo Motor Show.

Among the thousands will be Inquirer Motoring, which will also get a closer look at the leading auto research campaign of Honda in Tochigi, where the innovative manufacturer keeps a full-scale wind tunnel, safety crash-test facility and the Tochigi proving ground. There would also be a meeting of motoring journalists at the Twin Ring Motegi.

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By Aida Sevilla Mendoza
Inquirer

AS a motorist, I am glad that the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) project did not get embroiled in controversy the way the National Broadband Network deal did. I am sure that starting next February, this feeling will be shared by thousands of other motorists and commuters traveling north of Metro Manila because the Clark-Tarlac segment of SCTEx will lop off one hour from their traveling time.

Together with three other directors of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), the nonprofit, nonstock auto club that provides 24/7 roadside assistance at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), I checked out the Clark-Tarlac portion of the P27.5-billion SCTEx last Wednesday.

Driving an old Mitsubishi L300 double cab pickup truck with zebra stripe markings, Deo Manuel of the Tollways Management Corp. led the way with AAP veep Johnny Angeles and treasurer Jogy Mantaring Jr. as his passengers. I drove a 2007 compact SUV with AAP director Angel Kanapi in the front seat. (I won’t mention the brand of the SUV I drove, since its aircon conked out on the way back to Manila after a stopover at the Caltex station near San Fernando. Let me just say that it’s not a Japanese, Korean or European marque.)

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By Agence France-Presse

CHIBA, Japan–Japanese electronics giant Hitachi has developed a steering wheel that enables the driver to use his or her fingers as switches for the engine, car stereo and navigation system.

The steering wheel is equipped with a tiny device that reads the driver’s finger veins.

“If I place my index finger on this reader, it recognizes it’s me. If I put the finger again, it starts the engine,” Masahide Hayashi of Hitachi’s sensor design department explained at the Tokyo Motor Show near the capital.

“When the middle finger is on the device, it sends a command to play music I registered in accordance to my taste. The ring finger can start the navigation system,” he said.

“You can use your fingers just like switches,” without taking your eyes off the road, he said.

Hitachi said it was still uncertain when the system might be put in practical use although it hopes to launch it within three or four years.

By Agence France-Presse

CHIBA, Japan–Nissan and Renault hope to start selling a car for about $2,500 in India in around 2010 along with their local partner there, chief executive Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday.

“We have already practically decided all the attributes of the car,” Ghosn told reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show.

“We have the full intention to do it — if it’s feasible. Hopefully this is going to be 2010 in India,” he said.

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By Agence France-Presse

CHIBA, Japan–Japan’s Honda Motor Co. plans to release a more affordable hybrid car by 2009, hoping to boost sales among consumers who now find eco-friendly vehicles too expensive.

Japanese automakers pioneered hybrid-engine cars such as Honda’s Civic Hybrid, which save fuel costs and have proven to be major hits at a time of soaring oil prices.

Honda showed to the Tokyo Motor Show the CR-Z concept car, a lightweight sports model with a hybrid engine.

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By Daniel Rook
Agence France-Presse

CHIBA, Japan–Zany concept vehicles, fuel efficient hybrids and muscular supercars vied for attention as the Tokyo Motor Show opened Wednesday with Japanese automakers eager to revive moribund domestic sales.

From bubble-shaped vehicles of the future to sleek petrol-guzzling sports cars, makers showed off their latest efforts to push the boundaries of automotive technology.

Rivals showed off their green credentials with an array of environmentally friendly vehicles crammed into a convention centre near the capital, as record high oil prices prompt unprecedented interest in fuel-efficient motoring.

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