Aug 19, 2020


Truly Positive

Positive has gotten a bad reputation these days.

Nobody wants to read that in test results in these Covid-19 times.

Still positive can be good even under community quarantine, especially when it refers to an increase in vehicle sales.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines reports selling 3,147 vehicles in July, a positive 39 percent increase in sales compared to units sold in June.

The biggest increase in sales came from the Xpander, Mitsubishi's 7-seater compact MPV, with 1,083 units sold, a 63 percent increase from June sales, the carmaker said.

Another big positive jump in sales came from the Strada, Mitsubishi's entry in the pickup truck segment wtih 583 units sold in July, a 58 percent increase in sales from July, it added.

Mitsubishi also reports selling 517 units of the L300, a 19 percent increase and501 units of the Mirage/G4, a 17 percent increase.

The Montero Sport found 496 new buyers, a 27 percent rise in the months compared.

However only 13 units of the Pajero was sold in June.

Mitsubishi also reports 1 unit sold under the Others classification although it did not identify the make or model.

One positive take from Mitsubishi's increase in sales is that people are still buying cars even under the pandemic. Optimists will read that as reflection of confidence that the economy will recover and grow.

Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, president and CEO of MMPC , best expresses this positive take, saying: "We at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation very much appreciate the significant sales improvement achieved in the month of July; not just for the Mitsubishi brand but for the entire automotive industry. The progress represents the commendable capability of the Philippine market to adapt during these trying times. We hope that the strong momentum will continue and we at MMPC will strive harder to provide better offerings both in sales and after sales service. Despite the very challenging situation that we are facing, MMPC remains optimistic and inspired to serve our customers."

Ford Territory

If anything can boost momentum for positive growth in industry vehicle sales even under community quarantine restrictions, it is new vehicles that can excite Filipino buyers with their design, engineering, digital technology for connectivity and affordable price points - like the New Ford Territory.

In a press statement, Ford Philippines described the Territory as "a Ford-engineered and designed SUV which combines a sleek and stylish look, impressive performance, and smart and safe technologies that will offer a new driving experience to young professionals and starting families."

"We are confident that the Ford Territory will offer a new driving experience to Filipino customers as a modern, spacious and technologically-advanced SUV that delivers great value," said PK Umashankar, Ford Philippines president and managing director.

Available in two variants, Titanium+ and Trend, the Territory is classified as a small SUV powered by 1.5L EcoBoost engine mated to a CVT transmission with Sport mode that delivers 143 horsepower and 225 Newton-meters of torque.

The Territory is now available at Ford dealerships nationwide at an introductory retail price of Php1,179,000 for the Trend variant and Php1,299,000 for the Titanium+ variant.

Positive Note

Providing a positive note to the lockdown is a musical collaboration between singer-songwriter Barbie Almabis and live looper Zsari using the Nissan X-Trail as an additional musical instrument.

Nissan Philippines, Inc. asked Barbie and Zsari to team up in a challenge to perform and record a song while adding whatever sounds they can generate from the Nissan X-Trail.

The collaboration resulted in a version of Barbie's hit song, "Money for Food" which can be viewed and heard on Nissan Philippine's Youtube channel.

"This is definitely one of the most unique musical projects I've ever worked on," said Barbie in a press statement.

"I never imagined that someone could make music with a vehicle, but by discovering more about the Nissan X-Trail and Nissan Intelligent Mobility, I realized that it is indeed possible. This project really showed me how versatile this vehicle could be - not only as a great ride, but also as a surprising musical instrument! This was a great way for Zsaris and I to explore our art, and we hope that this would inspire everyone to stay creative while staying safe at home."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for all of us. But we must remember that even if we're staying safe at home, we can still exercise our creativity. We are so happy to bring creativity to life at this time and collaborated with such talented artists like Barbie Almalbis and Zsaris, to recreate a famous Filipino song with the Nissan X-Trail," said Atsushi Najima, Nissan Philippines president and managing director.

"As the first vehicle in the Philippines to carry Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the Nissan X-Trail features a unique array of sounds that helps create a safe and secure experience for both drivers and passengers. The Nissan X-Trail is truly a vehicle that inspires creativity and passion," he added.

Angkas Sharing

Motorcycle taxi hailing service pioneer, Angkas, is continuing its campaign to donate its IATF-approved protective shields to local government units.

The latest recipients are the Pasig and Pasay city governments.

Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeco turned over the protective shields to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto in simple ceremonies at the Pasig city hall.

Royeco said Angkas is also coordinating with the mayor's office to provide free motorcycle rides home to health care workers (HCWs) at Pasig city hospitals.

"Tinanggap po ni Mayor Vico ang ating Angkas shields para po ipamigay sa ating mga frontliners Ang mga Angkas bikers naman ay tutulong magbigay ng libreng sakay sa ating frontliners. Hopefully makatulong talaga tayo sa mga pangangailangan ng Pasig City," Royeca said.

Royeco also turned over Angkas protective shields to the Pasay City government led by Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

Aside from providing free motorcycle rides to HCWs of government-run hospitals and medical centers in Pasay, Angkas has agreed to the mayor's request to have its rider-partners help as contact tracers.

"To help in our country's efforts with contact tracing, certain Angkas bikers will also be trained and deployed to help in this aspect," Royeca said.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)