New car plates at last

After a long wait, the much-delayed new car registration plates may finally be available for those brand new vehicles bought starting from early this year.

This 5-year, P3.8 billion standardization program should have been implemented as early as September last year but failed due to several problems foremost of which was the funds issue between the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management. Of course there was also the issue between the DOTC and the LTO on which government agency should approved the supplier of the plates, which dated back to the time of the former LTO head.  

The new license plates for motor vehicles and motorcycles are patterned after those in Europe and in Singapore. Those for motor vehicles have a new alphanumeric design of having a combination of 3 letters and 4 numbers compared to the present 3 letters and 3 numbers while motorcycles will have 2 letters and 5 numbers when before it was a combination of 2 and 4. There will also be a change in font design, which has been used since 1981. Private motor vehicles would sport a new black and white design similar to those used in most countries while public utility vehicles (PUVs) will retain the black and yellow combination.

A major selling point of the new design is that it would help weed out illegal or colorum vehicles due to features like a third plate in the form of a sticker that would be required to be placed on the windshield of the vehicle which would not only indicate its plate number but also its authorized route in the case of PUVs. The other feature is the tamper-resistant plate locks and screws to prevent the prevalent illegal practice of switching plates by many unscrupulous PUV operators. 

 There are some reservations though voiced out by some vehicle owners with regard to the use of the “one use” or tamper-resistant locks and screws of the license plates. There are instances when plates need to be removed like in the case of bumper replacements or repairs due to damage, when plates would be needed to be removed and replaced. There should be detailed instructions on what to legally do in such a situation.

There is also the question of previously registered vehicles that have been issued the old plates. Do they need to have them replaced? And those who purchased special plates that do not conform to the present alphanumeric design. Will they be affected by the standardization? If so, will they be reimbursed with the special fees they were assessed for the special plates?

These questions need immediate answers from the DOTC or LTO.

A stylish BMW launch

The choice of the Manila Polo Club, specifically its polo field, the sports haven of the rich and the famous seemed to be so apt for the launch of the 3^rd generation of what’s considered as the world’s most successful Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV—the All-New BMW X5.

It must have been considered as a real auspicious event by Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the exclusive importers and distributors of BMW, the country’s top-selling premium brand vehicles considering the presence of no less than the Chairman Emeritus of the Alvarez Group of Companies, Palawan Governor Jose Ch. “Pepito” Alvarez, who has been discerning lately in his presence in the metro due to his largely known deep involvement in the development of his province and advancement of his constituents.     

During the short program that preceded the actual unveiling, Governor Alvarez welcomed his friends and other guests and urged them to enjoy the evening.

While ACC’s lady president had this to say during her speech, “This year, the Boss of all SAV’s is back to assert BMW’s superiority when it comes to executing unmatched joy, whether you’re on or off the road. The all-new BMW X5 is an all-around package designed to meet even the most exacting and varied demands” The lovely auto industry top executive also graciously added during the well-attended event, “The reintroduction of the BMW X5 to the Philippine market further showcases our commitment to continue innovations to provide the sheer driving pleasure that is unmistakably BMW. It is for this very reason that BMW remains number one in the segment not only in the Philippines, but in the world as well.”

Although in the midst of summer, guests came last Tuesday, April 29 mostly wearing business suits despite being an al fresco event while many of the ladies were at their chick best in evening attire.

The BMW X5 was first introduced to the global market in 1999 and was brought to Philippine shores in 2002. The X5 is considered by BMW as the pioneering vehicle that forever changed the face of the luxury SAV segment. The introduction of this new type of efficient driving dynamics was said to have led to others in the market to follow suit, but many are saying that none has come close to the original. “Over the years, the BMW X5 has continued to evolve into a versatile Sports Activity Vehicle that exudes the same commanding presence as those on top. Like a Boss” the demure ACC lady president confidently declared.

The executive director for sales of ACC, Glen Dasig was not short for words in describing their latest diesel baby in the market during our TV interview right after the dramatic electronic “light & sound” unveiling of the all-new automobile model, “The third generation of the iconic BMW X5 features the marriage between the ruggedness and functionality of an SUV, and the dynamism and luxuriousness of a typical BMW vehicle. The all-new BMW X5 showcases the most premium comfort for both driver and passenger, with an interior finish made of the highest quality materials, an exclusive and relaxing ambiance and other innovative comfort-enhancing functions.”

The BMW X5 is now available for your close scrutiny in all of its eight dealerships located all over the country.

Vios Cup 2014 season opens

After the rousingly successful staging of Vios Cup Exhibition Race held last January 25 at the Clark International Speedway, which saw a record-setting attendance of 6,000 racing enthusiasts and spectators, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has lined up a motorsports/racing festival on May 24.

The big summer happening will again have the Clark International Speedway as venue. Aside from holding Race 1 of the 2014 season of the Vios Cup there will be various activities all designed for the entire family to enjoy and even participate.

The Vios Cup race will have a full-packed starting grid that would include celebrities like Rhian Ramos, Sam YG, Phoemela Baranda, Fabio Ide and Jinno Rufino and a host of influential motoring journalists and 20 individual teams.

Indeed motorsports has been fully revived in the country, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Toyota Motor Philippines.

This is a hard-to-miss event for all motorsports enthusiasts.

Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival sidelights

Here are some of the unsolicited testimonials that were offered to us after we staged the Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival, presented by Caltex with Techron—the first-ever industry common test drive event. 

“It was the best way we were able to introduce to the market our automobile brand and what it has to offer.”

“We had the most number of test drives, hot prospects and reservations in this one event compared to the last 5 test drive events combined that we ourselves staged.”  

“The introduction of a test drive course within the event venue surely addressed our security concerns during test drive events. And the test drive course undoubtedly brought the best features of our models”

“STV should stage this more often. You have always been an industry catalyst anyway.”

I can only thank the industry leaders themselves for the unprecedented success of the undertaking. They gamely gambled with me on the untested concept with the objective of just perking up further the industry but turned out to be a game-changer indeed.

I also need to thank our presenting sponsor Caltex for their confidence on STV organized events. The Road Wise Foundation road safety advocates, Bebot Reyes, Art Guevarra managed the test drive course so professionally that no untoward incident marked the 4-day event. I should not fail to mention the support of MNTC-NLEX and thank Ms. Marlene Ochoa who made sure we had ample pylons or traffic cones to help ensure safety within the test-drive course.

And by the way, we had drivers who displayed exceptional skills in precision driving by recording the closest to the prescribed lap time while performing the test drive exercises. Here are their names and cars they drove; Francis Antonio driving a Peugeot, Howard Beronio aboard a Mitsubishi Mirage, Andrew Real behind the wheel of a Nissan Altima and Mary Jane Valencia the only lady winner on a Kia Rio hatchback. Congratulations. You will be advised as to how to claim your prizes from STV and the car brand that you drove when you achieved your exceptional lap times.   

And to the automobile industry players as well as its market, all I can say is, “If we had a successful “summer” test drive festival, we should also have a “pre-Christmas” edition. Watch out for future announcements.

Happy Motoring!!!

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