Motoring Today Column

Feb 28, 2018

Last year's unprecedented spike in sales that most of the local auto industry experienced has caused some apprehension of a possible sales downtrend or at best a flat growth for this year.

The phenomenal sales performance being attributed more due to buyers' fear of increased car prices due to the implementation of the government's tax reform measures, many of the industry's observers are expecting a downward correction, which could really be a more logical consequence.

But despite a possible sales decrease or a flat growth for this year the industry presently appears unperturbed by such scenarios as car manufacturers and importers seem to be in a frenzied mood as far as organizing media test drives, marketing events and the like.

According to industry observers this could either be because many don't believe of such reversal of market demeanor or many are just making sure that in the event of such an adverse scenario their market shares would not be jeopardized or at best get a bigger part of the possible shrinking pie.

In time right after its VIP launch scheduled tomorrow at theWorld Trade Center, theMitsubishi XPANDER shall have an exclusive 3-day, weekend public grand display and test drive at the same venue.

The XPANDER Xpo, which opens March 2, Friday up to March 4, Sunday is a showcase and test drive of the all-new Mitsubishi XPANDER line-up and an array of Mitsubishi's current best-selling models,Montero Sport, Strada, Pajero and the Mirage variants. During the admission-free expo, visitors will also be able to view the world's first plug-in hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV ( Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

According to our friends fromMitsubishi Motors Philippines,Froy Dytianquin, (First VP - Marketing Services) and Arlan Reyes (Ad and Promo Manager) a special test drive course shall be laid out to showcase the performance and best in class features of the XPANDER and to convince you further, a head-to-head test drive where customers can try other competing brands to fully compare the XPANDER will also be available.

The Mitsubishi execs also added that aside from a feast of great vehicles on display and test drive activities, MMPC will make sure that the public's visit to the XPANDER XPO will be exceptionally worthwhile and enjoyable with the array of other fun activities lined up for the whole family. Even kids will enjoy this event as it will host a kids play area with special attractions and activities, including a free drift box experience.

And as an added attraction to kids, MMPC invited some friends fromNickelodeon- SpongeBob SquarePants andPatrick - to say hello and play with the kids on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4.

Live performances from the country's most popular bandsParokya ni Edgar on March 2 and Sponge Cola on March 4 will also entertain expo goers. To make this event even more memorable,Montero Sport brand ambassador, Megan Young, will be dropping by to host some fun games for the whole family. A lot more exciting activities and exclusive offers are in-store for all the visitors of this 3-day event.

The motoring media was treated by Auto Nation Group, the country's exclusive importers and distributors of Mercedes-Benz to a luxuriously comfortable ride from their EDSA, Greenhills showroom to Nuvali in Laguna and back aboard the Mercedes-Benz OF 917 Midi Bus.

"We are very proud to showcase the OF 917 Midi Bus, a truly world-class product that was designed and manufactured with the Asean market in mind. Ideal for transportation companies and private institutions, customers will find it to be a wise investment," remarked Joseph Ayllon, assistant vice president for public relations, who accompanied the journalists all throughout the trip.

The high-decker OF 917 was presented to the media as sized perfectly making it the ideal transport vehicle for a group of passengers travelling within the city or out of town. The model unveiled features a 32 reclining seat configuration with standard amenities including a huge rear compartment luggage space, a high capacity roof-mounted air conditioning, electrically-operated outward swing-type passenger door with remote control and emergency escape roof hatch. It's a standard configuration and package that Auto Nation Group offers, however customer preferred seating configurations, seat covering and other amenities can be arranged on a customized mode.

Powered by a Euro 5 emission standard 4 -cylinder vertical in-line, turbocharged and inter-cooled diesel engine, the Mercedes-Benz OF 917 Midi Bus, according to Auto Nation Group puts out 170 hp at 2,500 rpm and a torque of 520 Nm at 1,500 rpm. Further, it is highly fuel-efficient boasting of a fuel efficiency rating of4 to 5 km/liter[1]. A full tank of200 liters on the OF 917 is touted to cover a distance of 1,000 kms.

Admittedly the versatile Mercedes-Benz OF 917 can be perfect for tourism transport or even for P2P (point-to-point) public transport in a highly luxurious manner.

Toyota Motor Philippines optimized its traditional yearly thanksgiving party for the media with the introduction of what it calls the boldest variant yet in the Hilux line-up- the Hilux Conquest as well as a sneak peak into their poised offering to the B-segment-the all-new Rush.

The Hilux Conquest is powered by 4 -cylinder, 16-valve DOHCVariable Nozzle Turbo with Front Mounted Intercooler designed for any off rod activity.

Aside from how Toyota describes as asserting a bolder look showing more authority on the road, other features of the Hilux Conquest include daytime running lights, a bed liner, 18" alloy wheels, Smart Key /Entry and a new black interior trim with 6.5"Capacitive Touch Screen / DVD / Tuner / Steering Wheel Audio Control.

On the other hand, the all-new Rush was presented visually on the screen as a teaser and to be released to the Philippine market only by mid second quarter of this year. On its second generation in Indonesia, the limited specs we could gather speak of a Dual VVT-i 1.5 liter engine with 103 PS of power and 136 Nm of torque mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4 -speed automatic.

This new offering from Toyota Motor Philippines is seen by industry observers as a possible preemptive move should the Mitsubishi XPANDER takes the country by storm as many seem to predict.

Honda Cars Philippines in its proactive effort to continuously ensure safety of its customers announces that it will voluntarily replace Takata passenger front airbag inflators of 10,461 vehicles of 2013 model of City, Jazz andPilot sold in the Philippines from2012 to 2015 as part of Honda's precautionary global recall campaign.

HCPI president and general manager,Noriyuki Takakura, appeals to Honda customers to take action and have their vehicles checked right away saying, "Safety is always Honda's top priority and we urge the affected customers to have their vehicles checked at any Honda Cars Philippines dealership as soon as possible."

Customers can check if their Honda vehicle is affected through the recall webpage at hondaphil.com/services/vin-search .

Replacement parts for this voluntary recall is FREE OF CHARGE and will take only about one (1) hour to process.

Happy Motoring!!!

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