Motoring Today Column

May 27, 2020

The automotive industry is among sectors of the economy leading the way towards normalcy.

What kind of normalcy is still to be clearly seen but leading economists are saying there is a need for the economy to be restarted as soon as safely possible after the Covid-19 pandemic shut down most businesses and trades.

That is what local auto assemblers and distributors are now doing after volunteering vehicles and personnel to help provide transport needs of medical and other frontliners under enhanced community quarantine restrictions.

Authorities are now looking to strike a balance between saving lives while containing the spread of the coronavirus that caused the pandemic and restarting the economy and saving people's livelihoods.

Both objectives are equally important and government has issued guidelines for some businesses and trades to resume operations under what it calls general community quarantine which many expect to be the new normal until a vaccine has been developed.

The automotive industry has been actively seeking new ways of doing business under the new normal offering innovative ways of marketing their products - online press conferences and vehicle launches - and the safe provision of casa or after sales services like using smartphone apps for appointments.

But perhaps one of the more important developments is the reopening of vehicle assembly operations.

Toyota Reopens

Toyota Motor Philippines announced that it has resumed manufacturing operations at its plant in Sta Rosa, Laguna, saying that it "understands that restarting business as soon as possible would stimulate economic axtiities in the country."

It also understands that it is important that employees are protected against being infected.

" Prior to resumption of plant operations, precautionary measures were conducted in the plant to ensure safety and adherence to production protocols," Toyota said in a press release.

"All reporting Team Members have been briefed on the safety guidelines and measures that will be strictly followed in the plant. The overall workforce currently reporting on single-shift operation is within the 50% cap mandated by the government under MECQ guidelines," it added.

Toyota also announced that 66 of its 70 dealer outlets have resumed operations with sanitation guidelines as well as social distancing protocols in place.

Ford On-Line Launch

Ford Philippines has rolled out the New Everest Sport in an on-line launch inviting media via a video conference portal.

Perhaps as impressive as the new Everest variant is the manner of the launch which allowed virtual media attendance as numerous with a reported 98 attendees as vehicle rollouts in pre-Covid 19 days. The launch came complete with the unveiling, audio video presentations, speeches from top execs, and a Q&A. Although some may have missed the giveaways and the raffle. Or the buffet and cocktails.

The virtual launch showcased the new Everest Sport with an enhanced design and a host of driver-assist technologies that it expects will help widen its appeal among customers who appreciate the vehicle's versatility, safety, and capability.

"The new Everest Sport supports the Everest's position as one of the safest and most capable SUVs in the market today," said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. "We are confident that the new Ford Everest Sport will set another standard for mid-size SUVs in the market with its design and technology that match various needs and lifestyles."

Cashless Payments

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is encouraging the use of cashless payments for taxi and transport network vehicle series operations as part of efforts of curb the spread of the Covid-19 disease.

Under general community quarantine guidelines, taxis and TNVS units can operate but only using contactless or digital payments and implementing other health safety protocols like an impermeable barrier separating driver from passengers.

According to a DOTr press release, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is partnering with various digital payment providers to boost the use of cashless or contactless transactions.

Already signing up as partner is Gcash.

GCash will enable taxi drivers to accept digital payments through a Scan to Pay (STP) app via the QR technology. Using this app, GCash users only need to scan the unique QR code of the taxi unit they are riding to pay for their metered fares.

GCash is now collaborating with various taxi operators nationwide to implement the digital fare payment scheme.

Happy Motoring!!!

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