Sep 07, 2016


PIMS - indeed ❝a must see❞

Judging by the distinguished gathering of top auto industry leaders last Friday at the Marriott Hotel, CAMPI or the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines is all geared up for the 6th staging of the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), the biggest auto industry event that it organizes every two years.

Scheduled for a 5-day show this year, what CAMPI banners as a "one-of-a-kind" motoring experience draws its curtains on September 14 up to September 18, 2016 at its usual home, the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

"We are excited to bring back PIMS, the prime industry-led motor show, for its 6th staging and showcase the latest automotive technologies from 17 of the top automotive brands in the country today. This year's theme,"Steer The Future" is a testament to CAMPI's mission of not only bringing new car models in the market but also contributing to the country's growth and leading the way for better mobility and transportation for Filipinos." according to Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, vp for corporate affairs of Toyota Motor Philippines as well as the dynamic president of CAMPI, the country's biggest organization of auto industry players.

During the media conference, which launched the much-awaited motoring event CAMPI announced that the event would be a remarkable showcase of the latest automobiles and automotive technologies coupled with exciting activities that are sure to entertain motoring and car enthusiasts, "may they be kids or kids at heart."

These activities and event offerings include; CAMPI Brand Heritage Display where 17 of the country's top automotive manufacturers and distributors will spotlight their latest vehicles and automotive technologies in the brand heritage display.

Car Launches - the individual unveiling of highly anticipated premiers of latest car models.

After-Sales Pavilion - will offer special packages on vehicle upgrades, repair services and quality genuine parts for different vehicle models, old and new to allow customers to have the best possible ownership experience.

Test Drives and Off Road Demonstrations - outside the venue will be a test drive area for participating car companies.

Car Club Meets - affiliated organizations of participating car brands will hold club meets to promote camaraderie among auto enthusiasts.

Entertainment - Top Gear Drift Box Challenge, C! Challenge, Kiddie Day Care activities, Karcher Car Wash activity, etc., to name some would form part of the entertainment.

CAMPI guarantees that not only are there a lot to see at PIMS, there are a lot to do and enjoy too.

A must for car buffs! I'll see you there.

The Phil's 10 top-selling auto companies

Inquiries as to what are the country's top-selling automobile companies are commonplace for us motoring journalists. The public expects us to know everything about cars and its industry. The truth is I don't - not all anyway. The fact that there are two industry organizations; one mainly for car manufacturers and distributors and the other for importers and distributors both coming up with their individual organization's sales performance, is no help to the inquisitive motoring public either.

Then there's the issue of what is really to be regarded as sales - those that are transferred from the authorized distributor to its dealerships or those that are actually sold to the public?

Manny are of the belief, industry players included, that the latter is more indicative of actual sales. That being the consensus in the industry and with such data made available for us by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) documented by STRADCOM, its authorized IT provider as a requirement for our annual Auto Focus People's Choice Awards, allow me to give you here as a public service to the general motoring public the 10 top-selling automobile companies in the country based on documented registration of vehicles in the LTO main offices and all its satellite offices nationwide from January to July 2016.

1. Toyota Motor Philippines
81,083 units
2. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines
27,283
3. Ford Philippines
20,676
4. Honda Cars Philippines
12,499
5. Isuzu Philippines Corp.
12,260
6. Hyundai Asia Resources
12,034
7. Nissan Philippines
8,008
8. Suzuki Philippines
7,008
9. Columbia Autocar Corp. (Kia)
3,923
10. Covenant Car Company (Chevy)
3,421

We shall also release here the country's top-selling models, possibly in each model category (sedans, SUVs, pick ups, etc.), as soon as the tabulation is completed. It may also include the 5 top-selling premium brand auto companies and their corresponding sales.

Again for the record, the above are figures from the regular documented report submitted to STV by STRADCOM as authorized by the LTO on actual vehicle registration in the country. And we are releasing this without the intention of favoring or putting into bad light any entity in the auto industry but as an act of public service to the general motoring public.

Isuzu launches 2017 D-Max

The Isuzu D-MAX recently earned the distinction of being the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the country during the economy run conducted by the Department of Energy involving all the vehicle models currently available in the local market.

Last Thursday at the Marriott Hotel, IPC (Isuzu Philippines Corp.) gathered the local motoring media to lunch the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L LS. There are quite a slew of upgrades and refreshed styling in this latest iteration but immediately visible are those in the D-MAX's front and rear. The front has redesigned projector headlamps with the addition of LED Daytime Running Lamps, while the rear has a new tailgate that incorporates a spoiler-shape design.

Add to these the new look of its wheels with a newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels ideal for both street and off-road use.

"The upgrades received by the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 LS are designed to make a capable truck even more appealing and value-laden to consumers. The pickup truck segment is currently one of the most dynamic and competitive in the local market, and we believe that the very popular Isuzu D-MAX should always stay ahead of its rivals in terms of equipment level and competence," remarked IPC president Hajime Koso during the well-attended launch, which was graced by movie personality Derek Ramsey, whose appearance of toughness and being capable of handling anything that life may throw at him, an attributed likeness to the DMAX, earned him being its latest brand ambassador.

Prices of the 2017 D-MAX variants are pegged at P1,520,000.00 for the 3.0L LS, 4x4 A/T, P1,450,000.00 for the M/T. while the 4x2 A/T goes for P1,210,000.00 and the 4x2 M/T for P1,140,000.00.

They are all available for test-drives in all IPC dealerships nationwide.



Petron and Uber - no strange bedfellows

A most welcomed partnership between market leader Petron Corporation and Uber; the world's leading ridesharing application was recently launched. The happy benefactors are the thousands of Uber Partner-Drivers in Metro Manila. Through this partnership they would exclusively enjoy special bonus points, discounts and other privileges when using the Uber x Petron Value Card at participating Petron service stations.

The special bonus points are 25-peso points and 5o-peso points when they load up with P500 to below P1,000 and P1,000 to P2,000 worth of Petron Blaze 100, Petron XCS, and Petron Xtra Advance, respectively. For Petron Turbo Diesel and Petron Diesel Max, the special bonus points are 10-peso points for purchases worth P500 to below P1,000 and 20-peso points for purchases between P1,000 to P2,000.

During the launching it was also announced that on top of these exciting rewards, Uber x PVC holders can also avail of free 24/7 towing assistance, personal accident insurance coverage, and other privileges and benefits such as discounts at partner establishments.

"Our partnership shows the strength of two innovators. Petron has always been the Philippines' leader in fuels and product innovations, while Uber as we all know changed and more importantly improved the transport service in the country," Petron vp for National Sales Division, Archie B. Gupalor said during the launch.


Motoring Online

Here are websites to check out for motoring and automobile enthusiasts - www.motoringtoday.ph / www.autofocus.com.ph

Happy Motoring!!!

For inquiries and comments (email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

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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)