Motoring Today Column

Oct 27, 2021

There still seems to be a lot of confusion over how Land Transportation Office (LTO) circulars and memos regarding the PMVICs or Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers are being understood by vehicle owners, the LTO itself, and even senators.

In social media, car club members have been complaining that some LTO district offices and branches in the provinces are now refusing to accept results of Private Emission Testing Centers for vehicle registration renewals.

The complaints have reached the notice of Senator Grace Poe who then questioned the LTO publicly about why some PVMICs in the provinces have resumed mandatory inspections despite a suspension order issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

This prompted LTO chief Edgar Galvante to issue a clarification stating that "PMVICs have not been ordered to stop their operations and that motor vehicle owners still have the option to have their vehicles tested for roadworthiness and compliance with the Clean Air Act either at a PMVIC or at a private emission testing center (PETC) with the required LTO visual inspection."

Galvante explained that what was suspended was the implementation of an earlier order that established so-called geographic areas of responsibility (GAORs) where LTO branch and satellite office would require PVMIC testing.

The LTO chief then said "perhaps vehicle owners might have misinterpreted the LTO's rollout of a new information technology (IT) system linking PMVICs with LTO offices with the aim of optimizing the agency's Motor Vehicle Inspection and Registration System (MVIRS), as a return of the mandatory vehicle inspections at the PMVICs."

He explained that the new LTO memo on the rollout of the MVIRS did not make PVMIC inspection at GAORs mandatory.

Even with the MVIRS roll-out, PETC results will still be accepted and will be uploaded in the LTO's record system, said Galvante.

Perhaps it is not the vehicle owners misinterpreting the latest LTO memos on the MVIRS and PVMICs but the LTO people at district and branch offices in the provinces.

In addressing complaints from motoring vehicle owners in the provinces, Galvante should do well to clear it up with his own people there. Perhaps something was lost in the translation. Or there could be reasons for the misinterpretation.

New GR-S Models

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is pulling out all stops in marketing its vehicles in these final months of the year, rolling out the GR-S-badged Fortuner and Hilux.

The GR-S badge is meant for vehicles that benefit from work done by Toyota Gazoo Racing, Toyota's global motorsports division that focuses on specialized research and production of vehicles built for racing.

What has been added to the Fortuner and the Hilux to make it deserve the GR-S badge?

Well, the Fortuner GR-S gets a redesigned front and rear bumper, fog lamp garnish, body color arch mould and back door garnish, and bi-tone rear spoiler for a more striking and aggressive exterior.

The Hilux GR-S gets a black gloss G-MESH front grille design with TOYOTA emblem, body color overfenders, sports bar in gloss black, and black-tinted 18-inch alloy wheels with machine cut finish.

Both get red, black, and smoke silver metallic accented GR interior, leather with red stitching on the wheel, aluminum pedals, and sport type front seats with suede and leather material with red stitching.T

The Fortuner GR-S comes with Matte Carbon trims on the center cluster while the Hilux GR-S comes with paddle shifters.

Do these additions deserve the GR-S tag?

Premium Trailblazer

There's another contender in the very crowded compact SUV market and its Chevrolet.

The All-New 2022 Chevrolet Premium Compact SUV is expected to shake up the segment.

Chevrolet Philippines snuck in Premium to the official name of the newest member of the local Chevy lineup for a reason.

It says the Chevy Trailblazer has been built to be embraced by a forward-thinking, tech-savvy, and independent audience and will engage owners looking to drive a premium compact SUV that is a step above the competition.

Adds Albert B. Arcilla, president and Chief Executive Officer of Chevrolet Philippines-TCCCI : "The Trailblazer is a continuation of the new design language for Chevy's crossover family and extends our momentum into one of the industry's fastest-growing segments.

"It continues the SUV heritage of the revered nameplate and is now loaded with safety and convenience features that anticipate the needs of today's most discerning customers."

Chevrolet Philippines also wants people to know its Trailblazer, built on on the GM global platform, comes from theGeneral Motors Incheon plant in South Korea.

Phoenix Block 2

There's a another Phoenix Block site inMetro Manila and it can be found at the corner ofEstrella and Evangelista streets in Bangkal, Makati City.

The 778-square meter area houses aPhoenix fuel station, a Phoenix SUPER LPG Hub, a FamilyMart store, a Phoenix lubricants shop, and an Autoworx Plus automotive care shop.

"The Phoenix Block is the embodiment of our pursuit to fulfill our vision of becoming an indispensable partner to the lives of the people we serve," says Phoenix Petroleum president Henry Albert Fadullon.

The first Phoenix Block was opened earlier this year at a 3,000-square meter site along Sucat Skyway.

"Our first Phoenix Block has been a hit, so we hope that this new one will be similarly enjoyed by the community. We believe in the value it offers to the customers, so we hope to open more of this one-stop-shop retail site soon," Fadullon adds.

Happy Motoring!!!

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