No ‘ghost month’ in a fast-paced industry

THE JOHNNY-COME-LATELY Lexus NX is the brand’s first entry into the growing luxury compact crossover segment.

There have been some exhilarating starts and nervous stops. The Philippine automotive industry has been characterized as a one-step-back, two-steps-forward sector the first seven months of 2014, where record-setting double-digit growth has been tempered somewhat by sobering news that some auto firms are considering relocating their manufacturing and assembly facilities to neighboring countries.

But one thing is certain: The just-concluded eighth month, supposedly the dreaded and dangerous “ghost month” for some Oriental geomancers, hasn’t spooked the sector one bit. In fact, the 31 days of August have been some of the liveliest and most productive.

BYD goes for the mooncake

It has been the Chinese themselves who have disproved the bad vibes of the month, when Chinese brand BYD (Build Your Dreams), represented by its authorized Philippine distributor SOLAR Transport and Automotive Resources Corp. (STAR Corp.), celebrated an Aug. 30 thanksgiving via a Mooncake Festival at its showroom in Shaw Boulevard, treating guests to a special viewing of the new crop of cars BYD F0 (a mini compact car), BYD F3 (a sedan suitable for fleet accounts and taxis), and BYD S6 and its new 2.4-liter engine with dual clutch transmission.

SPIRITED yet frugal, Honda Brio and Brio Amaze signify HCPI’s foray into the budget car fray.

The S6 was awarded in 2013 the highest 5-star safety rating for an SUV, outperforming other brands in every aspect of body structure, design and safety device validation. The China Automobile Technology Research Center had published the C-NCAP crash testing impact scores of BYD S6.

“In the Mooncake Festival, families gather to thank the heavens for the good fortune that has been showered upon them, and to ask for gifts of longevity, success and the expansion of the family,” explained STAR Corp. general manager Jose Paolo “Popo” Soriano.

“This thanksgiving get-together is BYD Philippines’ first milestone. It is a synergy of blessings that we are thankful for, to our customers, our suppliers, our partner banks, the motoring media, and, of course, our principal, BYD China,” said STAR Corp. managing director Mark Andrew Tieng.

STAR Corp. also celebrates the first anniversary of its first dealership on Sept. 7. Last March, the company opened its second dealership in North Edsa, with Jerry Y. Chan as dealer principal.

 ‘NX step’ for Lexus

Luxury carmaker Lexus introduced in its Lexus Manila showroom in Bonifacio Global City on Aug. 28 the Lexus NX, the brand’s first entry into the luxury compact crossover segment.

THE NX offers the hybrid NX 300h and the all-wheel drive NX 200t.

The NX offers two powertrain variants: the highly efficient hybrid NX 300h and the first use of an all-new Lexus-developed 2.0-liter gasoline turbo in an all-wheel drive NX 200t.

The NX variants represent Lexus’ first entries into the fast-growing luxury compact crossover segment; sharply styled for urban and active lifestyles. The NX has been conceived under the development concept of “Premium Urban Sports Gear” characterized with an edgy, emotional design intended to appeal to new customers who lead urban and active lifestyles.

TMP’s 26th anniversary ‘sing-along’

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) celebrated its 26th anniversary on Aug. 19 at 12 Monkeys in the spanking-new Century City Mall in Makati City. The night was made even more memorable when TMP president Michinobu Sugata took over the stage, grabbed the mike and sang with the live band.

On a more serious note, Sugata related how, in the first three months of 2014, four new models—the Corolla Altis, Innova, Wigo and Yaris—were launched. He also remarked that “TMP continues to beat its own record, having sold 8,000 units in March, 9,000 units in May, and in July breaching the 10,000 mark.”

He also acknowledged the enhanced nationwide Toyota dealer network of 44 outlets as having helped immensely in achieving sales records. Both Toyota’s locally produced Vios and Innova performed their highest levels last July with 2,480 units and  1,614 units, respectively.

Sugata also noted that last July marked a significant period in TMP’s history as team members in its production plant were able to produce 3,998 vehicles in a single month, setting a new production output record for TMP despite the setbacks brought about by Supertyphoon “Glenda.”

SUGATASAN ‘exorcises’ the ‘ghosts’ of August with his respectable rendition of The Beatles’ classic ‘Come Together.’

Sugata disclosed that, on a year-to-date basis, the Sta. Rosa plant had already assembled a total of 24,330 units. “This is 33 percent higher than the same period of last year, illustrating the great demand of our proudly Filipino-made Vios and Innova because of their exceptional quality and reliability.”

Sugata also noted that the TMP School of Technology (TMP Tech) had just signed an agreement with Chisholm Institute, an Australian-registered training organization. Under this agreement, graduates of TMP Tech would be eligible for employment in Australia and other Commonwealth countries.

The Toyota Dealers Association has also partnered with TMP Tech. Under the partnership, each dealer would sponsor at least one TMP Tech scholar per year and accommodate students for on-the-job training. TMP Tech would also train and provide for The Abdul Latif Jameel Imports and Distribution Co. Ltd. (ALJID), an authorized Toyota distributor in Saudi Arabia, a total of 60 aftersales technicians per year.

Sugata also announced during the celebration that the third and final race of the 2014 Vios Cup would be held at the McKinley West Compound, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on Oct. 18 and 19.

New spirited Hondas

On Aug. 13, a preview of Honda’s most affordable cars—the Brio (hatchback) and Brio Amaze (sedan)—was held in Tagaytay Highlands. The two new variants signify Honda Cars Philippines’ (HCPI) entry in the budget-car segment.

BYD’S celebration of the Mooncake Festival includes this lion dance to let good fortunes in. Photos by Tessa R. Salazar

During the event, HCPI announced that the all-new Brio and Brio Amaze would be available for retail starting September 2014.

HCPI president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara said the company is still in the process of finalizing other specifications for each variant, with the final pricing to be announced during the official launch at the Honda booth during the 5th Philippine International Motor Show on Sept. 18 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The Brio (Italian for “energetic” and “cheerful”) series was specifically developed for the emerging needs of the Asian market—automobiles to facilitate personal mobility. While relatively the most affordable car in Honda’s vehicle lineup, the Brio models embody high levels of Honda DQR (durability, quality and reliability). The Brio models’ development is backed by Honda’s extensive experience in creating compact cars such as the Jazz and City, examples of the application of Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” design concept.

In numbers, the Brio is the smallest vehicle in Honda’s lineup, measuring 3,610 millimeters (length), 1,680 mm (width) and 1,485 mm (height) with a 2,345-mm wheelbase. The Brio Amaze is longer than its hatchback version, measuring 3,990 mm (length) with a 2,405-mm wheelbase. Given these figures, the Brio Amaze enjoys a roomier interior and a larger trunk capacity of 400 liters.

Both the Brio and Brio Amaze will be available with a 4-cylinder, 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine that delivers a maximum power output of 98.63 HP at 6,000 rpm. Honda stressed that this makes these cars “the most powerful in the mini compact segment.” The engine is mated with either 5-speed manual transmission or the first-in-class 5-speed automatic transmission, which helps realize better fuel efficiency. All variants will have standard safety equipment of dual SRS airbags and anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) on Aug. 20 launched the new X-Series variant at the Metrowalk Tent in Pasig City intended for the hip, young and active members of “Generation Y,” or “Millennials.”

Photo by Eugene Araneta

A stylish racing-style decal runs on its hood and tailgate, together with a red Isuzu emblem. There’s also a cargo spoiler that extends to the roof and aero skirts under the front and rear bumpers. There’s also the sporty 17” gun metallic finish alloy wheels. It has side steps, making access into the cabin easier, and a cargo bed liner that allows the upwardly mobile to securely and stylishly accommodate active weekend gear like mountain bikes, wakeboards or camping equipment. There is a prominent X-Series badge in the tailgate.