March 2008 Archives

By Andre Palma Philippine Daily Inquirer EACH time a new road or highway opens, a sense of excitement and compulsion overcomes those of us who live to drive. Like ants converging on a fallen ice cream scoop melting under the summer sun, new places to drive are magnets to those who enjoy time behind the wheel. Fewer still are the times when the road itself is the reward for the long trip. This past Holy Week, it was the newly opened section of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that tempted many from their moments of contemplation and out into the driver’s seat. The first time I drove on this stretch of road was about a year ago, while the highway was still just a long line of compacted gravel that started in Clark and ended in several places on the way to Subic. Even then, the potential of the ambitious road was evident, the tell-tale signs of a world-class piece of public works already then unmistakable. A return trip, for the sole sake of driving the length of this particular road was inevitable. The main thing that can be remembered from that initial drive was the way that the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway snaked and crested ever so gently. At speed, the most important safety feature of any thoroughfare is just how much road that drivers can see in front of them. At the legal speed limit a car travels 100 meters every three point seven seconds or so (100 m/3.75 seconds roughly). One can imagine at those speeds, emergency stopping or evading collision is a tall order for most motorists and their vehicles. The more one can see ahead on a road, the farther out one’s event horizon is. Instead of having to react instinctively, one has time to process the situation and counter accordingly. This means that drivers have more time to deal with wayward vehicles, stray animals or whatever other potential dangers that may appear out of nowhere. While the surface is generally reported to be less smooth than the revitalized NLEX, the quality of the material laid down as the road surface is very good. Black and sticky, likely due to the high amount of crumbled rubber mixed in with the asphalt, fewer surfaces available to the motoring public afford more grip. The benefits gained from the use of this expensive material are worth it. Stopping distances are shortened. Tires adhere to cambered turns like epoxy. Driving at speed is actually made a pleasant experience.If the management of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway sought to build a technically sound, world-class road, then it seems like they’ve achieved their goal. People have likened the driving experience to those they’ve had in more developed countries. The general opinion is the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway would not seem out of place in Malaysia or the Southwestern United States. Personally, the visual similarities with a section of the Autovia from Albacete to Valencia are quite uncanny. Many ask if some of us will hit this section of the road at speed. The answer to the question is quite obvious. Already, drive times from the NLEX exit to the Subic end are circulating. While most are reasonable, slightly bordering on the fast side, there are some that are astonishing feats of pace. Let’s just say because of the way this road is built, the temptation to make velocity maximum (V-Max) runs is ever present.So it is with much anticipation that a return drive to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is being planned. A stable alignment setting, inert gas in the tires, top shelf engine oil and fresh coolant seem like bear minimums to be able to tackle this road with gusto in the summer heat without incident. Just how fast will it take to travel this beautiful section of road from end to end? Let me quote an old philosopher from my university days for some perspective. Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. Words of wisdom that praise slowing down and taking everything in. Then again, I doubt Kierkegaard ever felt the bliss of a turbo at full boost.

By Tessa R. Salazar Philippine Daily Inquirer CITY drivers who are used to driving in slow speeds eventually become unable to handle faster country driving. Austrian Herbert Grunsteidl, BMW AG certified product trainer who recently visited the Philippines for the “Torque: A BMW Xpo Driving Experience,” told Inquirer Motoring that all over the world, this has been a problem with drivers constantly being stuck in slow-moving traffic jams, and who suddenly feel at a loss with which speed to go in the next corner where there is less traffic. Grunsteidl explained that country driving uses a different driving mindset from city driving. “It takes time to become sensitive enough with all your senses to know what speed (to take) on the next corner. Some are inexperienced with faster speeds, and they get into trouble before they know it.” Grunsteidl added that these kinds of drivers either get rear-ended or do the rear-ending themselves. Grunsteidl was former national rally cross champion who lost his daughter in 1983 in a driving accident. She was a passenger with four other people when the car she was in went into a “death roll.” “It was a point when I stopped racing, I stopped my career. I put up a driving school in Austria from 1983 to 1989, using my experience. Then I joined BMW in 1989,” he recalled. He said youth and driving fast are two inseparable and inevitable outcomes. “You can just tell them to be careful and, hopefully, they will listen to you,” he mused. “You cannot prohibit young drivers from driving fast until they have experienced it themselves.” But in Austria, at least, young drivers have to undergo the gauntlet of strict and disciplined training before they could get a license and drive alone. Grunsteidl said that before new drivers can earn their licenses, they have to rack up at least 3,000 km with an experienced driver supervising them, and then undergo extensive training from a professional driver in a driving school. For the next three years, the applicant risks losing his or her license over a single speeding ticket. New drivers in Austria keep a logbook of the distance they have driven. It was Grunsteidl’s first visit to the Philippines, but he assured Inquirer Motoring that he was “very experienced” in Asian traffic, having been in and out of Asia for the past 10 years training in Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Thailand, he said he drove thousands of kilometers on his own in right-hand traffic. Grunsteidl stayed in the Philippines for just a few days, but he was surprised at how jeepney drivers could manage to weave in and out of lanes with the heavy steering and hard clutches and all, and at the same time manage to reach over and get the fares and/or give change to passengers. “It’s surprising how these jeepney drivers work. And I didn’t see one accident. This is impressive. I used to be fascinated with motorcyclists, but I saw jeepneys and these many things they put on them, now that’s really nice,” he said with a laugh. According to him, the only downside to these gaudy vehicles would be their heavy emissions. During the BMW test-drive sessions with Grunsteidl, this writer was asked to drive two identical BMW 3 Series cars through a slalom to figure out which of them was on run-flat tires, and which was on regular inflated tires. After the series of sharp turns and abrupt braking in high speeds, there was hardly any difference felt between run-flat tires and regular tires. What gave the run-flat tire away was its screeching sound during sharp turns. During the training sessions, Grunsteidl also said 90 percent of drivers were unable to apply the brakes on maximum pressure during emergency situations. He based this observation on a braking exercise data gathered from people who drove a specially equipped car that measured reaction times and pressures applied on the brake pedal during braking situations. He then cited how the TDC system in BMW cars boosted power in the braking system, ensuring proper braking distances, and decreasing the likelihood of high-speed accidents. That system would have certainly given a boost to the tireless jeepney drivers who, Grunsteidl would have most likely observed, often had to pump their vehicle’s brakes at least twice before the brake pads kicked in.

By Andre Palma Philippine Daily Inquirer IT has been a while since a Merc put a smile on my mug; a feat that has to be given its fair share of credence. One car is primarily at fault for this non-abashed animosity toward recent models released by the suits from Stuttgart. As if to punctuate the end of an era, Mercedes-Benz’s initial C Class reeked of undeserved commercial success. In place of the three-pointed star, a silver spoon should have been welded on to the first C Class hoods. Riding on the success of the relatively affordable and rather able W201 190, the worldwide public lapped up this new “Baby Benz.” In only a short span of time the first C Class started to top the sales volume figures of one of the largest luxury passenger automobile manufacturers in the world. If not for the three-pointed star on the hood and trunk of the first C Class, many wouldn’t have paid it much attention anyway. Ladies and gentlemen, we must not forget that in the Philippines, nothing says you’ve made mad money, across all economic strata, like a car with the Mercedes-Benz logo on it. And a car that screams success sells. Not convinced? Just ask the guys over from SsangYong just how effective a sales tool the Merc logo is. Much has been said about the current model C Class already, the local media getting its hands on the car even before the public launch. From the initial reports it seemed as if this new car hit all the critical success factors needed from a product that would do well in the luxury compact market. Some even hinted that the other European competition was in for a real challenge. That concept is plausible really if the major players’ products in this segment are all similar and indistinguishable from each other. As it is, the luxury compact cars like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class display very distinct personalities, especially at the mid trim and engine levels of each model. The C200 Kompressor impresses well with simple things. The theme of the new 2008 C Class seems to be one of understatement. In an unusual way, the uncomplicated nature of this car lends an air of quiet class, a decent amount of charm. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four is enough engine for this car. Acceleration is decent, with a little punch available in overtake situations or when the road ahead opens up. The five speed auto box shifts on the seamless side. Gear changes are only noticeable when selecting a gear from a cold start or when you’ve been aggressively raking through the ratios for some period of time. Ride quality successfully walks the tightrope between a sporting attitude and more comfortable designs. There is the right amount of compression and a rebound action that though slow, eases back predictably. Driving the C200 with a little panache is possible but cruising around and preening in traffic is where everything comes together. The C200 Elegance’s exterior is a little more staid than the larger, sportier of its ilk, mainly because the large three-pointed star on the grill is deleted and in its place is a smaller, more sedate upright hood ornament. Inside the compact sedan, things are equally sedate. The brown and khaki interior of polymer and fabric isn’t going to win a beauty contest but it scores points for being practical and ergonomic. Even the wood panel, which is likely a veneer of some expensive timber, doesn’t seem out of place. There is just something very Benz about the passenger compartment; it works and it works well. This current generation C Class isn’t trying to be something it isn’t, what you see is what you get. True to being luxury commuter, this is a car that emphasizes a daily driven nature with just a little more power and comfort than usual. It is in this mild manner that the C Class distinguishes itself from the competition. Score one for Mercedes-Benz.

By Tessa R. Salazar Philippine Daily Inquirer POLITICIANS can make all the noise and mudsling they want. Car buyers are just going to roll up their windows, turn up the volume of their car stereos, and drive quietly away to the relative peace and quiet of their own home and workplace. During this politically charged first quarter of 2008, at least, that's what the auto industry observes as the general attitude of many of its customers. The appetite to buy hasn't been spoiled the least by political volatility. The recent vehicle sales report prepared by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. shows the Pinoy car buyer unmindful of the political noise with a continuous double-digit growth trend for the industry during the first two months of 2008. Campi is composed of the majority of the big carmakers and assemblers in the Philippines. "Continued growth is still expected in the coming months amid political noise tempered by relatively stable economic numbers coupled with the strength of the peso," says Elizabeth Lee, Campi president. Lee, Universal Motors Corp. executive vice president for marketing, said that in the Philippines, the majority of vehicles bought have been commercial vehicles, with popular choices AUVs (Asian utility vehicles), vans and pickups. She explained that such choice of vehicle type "satisfies a need rather than a want. These vehicles have become relatively more of a necessity." Still, prolonged political uncertainties could eventually take their toll on sales reports in the long run. Lee warned that prolonged political noise could adversely affect business sentiments as a whole. Economic growth (such as high GDPs) helps fuel automotive growth, as the two are directly correlated to each other. The Campi report shows car sales performance as of February increased 14.3 percent compared to January and February performances in 2007. Last month, the industry sold 9,472 units. Mel Dizon, Mitsubishi Philippines' senior vice president for marketing and Campi vice President, surmised that the reasons for strong growth amid political noise are: • The market believes the political crisis will be resolved peacefully and the end result will be for the good. • The industry sales are fueled more by "economic needs" rather than for "fun" use. • Sustained OFW purchases have been a big factor for growth. Toyota Motors Philippines first vice president for Marketing and Sales Daniel Isla said, "the country has been governed by political circuses as far back as I can recall. We all have lived political ruckuses in varying degrees." Isla added that "there is now more concern for economic factors like continuing oil price hikes and eroding purchasing power of overseas Filipino workers." "Notwithstanding, we remain optimistic that the industry will grow, though modestly, at five percent," he said. "Politics do not kill dreams and aspirations," Isla quipped. February reports showed passenger car sales at 3,123 while 6,956 commercial vehicles were sold. CVs continue to corner the market with a 67 percent share, growing at 12 percent while the passenger car segment showed a strong growth of 19 percent. Lee said the growth for the passenger car market is seen to continue in the coming months. Campi also credits such market growth to promotional activities of the dealers and the sales of new models introduced last year.

By Tessa R. Salazar Philippine Daily Inquirer TIMES are hard, And some carmakers may be neglecting their technicians-the heart and soul of the casa business -- but does that give a struggling or underpaid casa mechanic a license to, well, fool you? Let's turn the question around: Will you give the opportunistic mechanic a good enough reason to put one over you with your cruelty or gullibility? The truth is, not all casas are equal, and not all casa mechanics are honest. If you do an informal survey of your trusted friends (those who do tell objective tales), chances are they will share with you a number of several horror stories, and not of the paranormal kind, but of the purely human ones. Some mechanics the Inquirer Motoring has talked to said they had yet to encounter colleagues cheating their customers, and as long as there is no proof, they would consider these tales as just tall ones, pure hearsays. You be the judge, dear car owner. But in the meantime, it wouldn't hurt if you "foolproofed" yourself from such unscrupulous acts, would it? Interviews with several car owners and colleagues in the motoring industry who have maintained and had their cars serviced in casas have revealed common-sense tips on how not to be "taken for a ride" in the service bays. The first line of protection is to keep the work the mechanics are doing well within your sight. Some dealerships provide viewing decks of the service area, with comfortable lounges. However, not all casas will afford you this advantage, and, admittedly, it is actually dangerous to loiter around the service bays, what with all that heavy equipment, oil slick on the floor, and loose parts lying around (And you have to actually respect the sign that reads "authorized personnel only"). So, if you can't be there, do the next best thing: keep in touch with your technician/s and/or service bay managers. But don't be the nagging type. Be friendly with them. Engage in light chatter. Try to get them to warm up to you so they'll open up to you. Generous tip Make them feel that you're treating them as respected professionals. And after they get the job done on your car, don't forget to give a generous tip. They will remember you, so that the next time you bring your car in, you'll be treated not like just another customer, but maybe like an old acquaintance, and then they will personally see to it that you won't be shortchanged. Aris Ilagan, a columnist of Top Gear Philippines magazine, recently wrote about some mechanics confessing to him how they cheated on their customers. Aris said he would personally talk to the mechanic assigned to his car. If he did sense that the mechanic was underpaid or was treated shabbily in his job to the point that the mechanic would pull a fast one on every customer the casa assigned on him, Aris would waste no time telling him pointblank: "Pare, 'wag mo na akong taluhin, help me with my car, ayusin na lang kita. (Friend, instead of shortchanging me, just help me get my car fixed, and I'll take care of you afterward)." Ilagan, who earned his automotive know-how in the machine shop in Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati, and whose brother is an automotive diesel mechanic, would also ask the mechanic not to change the parts of his car that were still running good. He also notes one advice from a colleague: This friend would ask the mechanic to survey the prices of certain parts outside the casa (which would usually turn out cheaper), and smuggle that part inside the casa. How would the mechanics do it? Aris said that the mechanics would road-test the cars, and while at it, would change the parts outside. These mechanics know where to find quality yet low-priced parts outside, he said. Ilagan said he had looked at the profiles of many of the mechanics he had talked to, and many of them were contractual workers for six months at a time, which meant they had no security of tenure. 'Transparent' casas Some car manufacturers nowadays, however, have been proud to say that their service bays have become "transparent" areas. These casas have designed their service area as customer-safe, which means the car owners can freely roam inside designated areas of the service bays to accompany their mechanic as he or she went over their cars. Take, for instance, Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive dealer of Subaru in the country. Motor Image stressed that it was fully aware that many Subaru owners were car enthusiasts, and were therefore meticulous in almost all aspects of the driving experience, especially the maintenance and servicing ones. Subaru Impreza STI 2007 owner James, 36, (who wouldn't want his surname printed) made some modifications in his car recently, with Motor Image Pilipinas performing the installation work for him. He said that he worked side-by-side with the mechanic during the process. Establish trust with customers Subaru car owners are also free to look at their cars even during regular servicing, said Motor Image Pilipinas' Ariel de Jesus. He said this would be an opportunity for them to get more educated about the car, and a chance for a young car company like Motor Image to establish trust with the customers. A car industry member who refused to be named said other casas refused the owners to stay with their car as it was being serviced because of one sensible reason: loitering around the casa could be dangerous. Some Mitsubishi casas such as in Makati, Paco, San Fernando, Balintawak and Cebu encourage owners to watch their cars while being serviced through viewing decks. Ford service bays, for their part, ask customers to be present at the interactive reception process as part of what it terms its "quality care" process. Customers are asked to stay while their cars are inspected by the technicians. The service adviser would then point to the owners the worn-out parts that needed replacing and parts that were still in good condition. The majority of Ford dealerships were also said to offer their own viewing decks.