Impasse on LTO plates?

There’s a brewing issue that needs to be resolved speedily by the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications). It has something to do with the DOTC’s License Plates Standardization Program, which requires the replacement of all existing vehicle license plates with newly designed ones. 

Senate President Protempore Ralph Recto is of the strong legal belief that this DOTC program runs contrary to an existing law, Batas Pambansa (BP) Bilang 43, section 17, which reads in part, “That the identification, numbers and letters of any motor vehicle plate shall be permanently assigned to such motor vehicle during its lifetime.”

Senator Recto is reported to be leaning not to surrender old license plates for replacement if they are not dilapidated, defaced or broken. And should the vehicle owner opt to surrender his or her plate, it may be replaced with a plate of the new design but with the same alphanumeric combination or its original letter and number code. 

Let’s see how this shapes up.

Isuzu Philippines unveils an all-new model after years

It has been quite a while since Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) launched an all-new model to the Philippine market and the event did look like they were making up for lost time. The presentation, which was held last week at the SMX Convention Center was grand, to say the least and well attended. I guess the timing was such that the all-new model’s public unveiling came ahead of the CAMPI’s Philippine International Motor Show scheduled this week so as to make sure the momentous event for IPC would have its much- deserved undivided attention.

On center stage was the Isuzu mu-X, a midsize SUV that would replace the Alterra, which has just been phased out. It is highly expected to impress the local market after setting a trend in countries like Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Laos and Indonesia.

With the mu-X, Isuzu Philippines hopes to get a 10 percent market share of the country’s 60,000-unit SUV market. They are looking forward to a better market performance compared to the Alterra, which cornered only 5 percent despite its no mean market acceptance. 

“We are banking on the mu-X’s aggressive pricing schemes to keenly compete with the other SUVs lording it over the local market,” says IPC senior vice president for marketing, Art Balmadrid. “Combine this kind of SUV affordability with Isuzu’s trademark reliability, durability and famed diesel engine performance and I don’t see where we can go wrong with the Isuzu mu-X,” he added.

The all-new Isuzu mu-X is available in six color options: Splash White, Silky Pearl White, Cosmic Black, Titanium Silver, Aqua Blue and Outback Brown.

Prices are set at P1.188 million for the mu-X LS M/T 4×2; P1.260 million for the mu-X LS-M M/T 4×2; P1.358 million for the mu-X LS-A A/T 4×2; and P1.748 million for the mu-X LS-A A/T 4×4.

“You are all invited to come to Isuzu showrooms located nationwide for a close scrutiny and test drive of the all-new Isuzu mu-X,” said IPC president Nobuo Izumina. “And better be prepared to be impressed,” he confidently added.

Congratulations to Isuzu Philippines Corporation. It’s really high time for an all-new model in your stable of remarkable vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class launch

It was one of those events where you get to see and meet the metro’s “who’s who”. That was how the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class was publicly unveiled last week at the Peninsula Hotel in Makati. Cats Motors president Felix Ang and chairman Greg Yu looked like debutants endlessly making the rounds among invited guests thanking everyone for their presence, many of whom were just as happy feeling privileged to be invited.

  During the launch presided by Cats Motors’ top marketing executive Bobby Shaw, the all-new C-Class was presented as Mercedes-Benz’s premium medium-size sedan with a sensuous, clear design, a sporty interior with premium appeal and a generous sense of space, the lightest body shell in the segment, economical and lively engines, efficiency benchmarks, extensive safety features, a new agile and comfortable suspension as well as a host of other innovations that create the impression of an upgrade to a higher class of vehicle.

“With the introduction of an intelligent lightweight-design concept boasting weight savings of up to 100 kilograms, excellent aerodynamics and new economical engines, the C-Class establishes new efficiency benchmarks for the model,” Bobby declared during the brief but highly informative presentation. “Assistance systems offer safety of the highest standard, while a new optional air-sprung suspension provides for exemplary ride and driving comfort as well as nimble and agile handling,” the auto industry veteran added.

For the Philippine launch, the C 200 AMG line, which lends the C-Class a decidedly sporty appearance is initially unveiled, with other engine variants and design lines coming in the future. 

It was also emphasized during the unveiling that the C-Class has grown to take account of people’s increasing average height. With an 80-millimetre increase in the wheelbase compared with the previous model, the vehicle is 95mm longer and 40mm wider. The result is a more spacious interior. At 480 litres the new C-Class also surpasses its predecessor in terms of boot capacity.

Congratulations to our long-time friends Felix and Greg. Judging from the reactions of many of the guests during the launch, the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is another winner in our hands.

Honda City Eco Drive

An amazing 20.75 kilometers to a liter fuel performance was registered in the last Eco Drive organized by Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI).

Starting from Grams Diner at BGC, a convoy of 5 all-new Honda City models for the same number of competing teams composed of two journalists per team made its way to Lakeshore in Pampanga combining city and highway driving.

The Sunshine TV team of Ray Louis “Wee” Gamboa, STV supervising producer and Online Operations manager together with top-notched cameraman, Matt Mallari, registered the 2^nd best fuel performance of 20.55 kilometers per liter, just slightly less (0.2 kilometers) than the top performing team.

 This event is part of a series of activities that HCPI has lined up this year to highlight the different unique features of their array of new models recently launched to the local market.

CAMPI’s PIMS—a must to attend

Starting tomorrow, Thursday, September 18, automobile enthusiasts troop to the World Trade Center for this year’s edition of the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) organized by the country’s biggest auto industry organization, the Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers in the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI).

It’s a “must attend” event for the members of the motoring media as a number of launches are scheduled, especially on its first day tomorrow as well as display of concept cars by a number of major industry players.

Aside from the interesting activities lined up for those who would decide to come to the 4-day motor show, a voting booth for those who wish to support their favorite automobiles in this year’s search for the most preferred automobile model in the different categories like sedans, SUVs, pick ups, MPVs, sports cars and vans and the most popular automobile, separate for Standard and Luxury —the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards for 2014-2015 Automobile of the Year. There will be gifts waiting to be won for all those who would cast their vote. And if you want to see how the voting is shaping up why don’t you check out the vote and sales tally on www.autofocus.com.ph or check it out on Facebook. It can be very interesting. 

By the way, if you are a die-hard auto buff, the PIMS should be a “no miss” event for you. I’ll see you there!  

Happy Motoring!!!

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