Get a closer look at your future PU ride

By Tessa R. Salazar April 26,2017
Most of the 210,000 jeepneys operating inMetro Manila are at least 15 years old.

Most of the 210,000 jeepneys operating inMetro Manila are at least 15 years old.

 

That “PU” isn’t the start of a crisp expletive. It stands for “public utility,” and it has a lot to do with the sitting president’s directive to modernize the country’s public transport system.

“Dutertenomics,” a term concocted by the Duterte administration’s economic team, is based on its concocted battle cry of “build, build, build” to usher in the so-called “golden age of infrastructure.”

To put it simply, the government plans to spend as much as P8.4 trillion over the next six years for vital projects such as airports, roads, bridges, railways, seaports, telecommunication and power facilities—collectively called an infrastructure network—that would define the backbone of economic development.

For its part in the grand scheme of “Dutertenomics,” the Department of Transportation is set to undergo a PUV modernization program phasing out public utility vehicles 15 years and older. These vehicles include buses, garage-to-terminal vans (GT and UV express), and yes, that ubiquitous jeepney.

Naturally, jeepney drivers have howled in protest. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has hinted, through various media interviews, that under the modernization program, the DOTr will be purchasing these ageing jeepneys from the owners/operators to give way to newer and safer utility vehicles.

The Board, however, has yet to announce if these purchases are intended to be used by the owners/operators as partial payments for purchases of new PUVs.

 

Old, unsafe, second-hand and reconditioned trucks pose a grave danger to pedestrians and other motorists.

Old, unsafe, second-hand and reconditioned trucks pose a grave danger to pedestrians and other motorists.

In LTFRB’s database, most of the 210,000 jeepneys operating in Metro Manila are at least 15 years old.

During the 2017 Truck Fest held April 20 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center, Japanese vehicle manufacturer Isuzu Philippines Corp. presented its own versions of the modernized PUV (including its own take of a school bus) and new light, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks that would replace the old, unsafe, second-hand and reconditioned trucks that pose a grave danger to pedestrians and other motorists.

The modern jeepney displayed was an NHR-55, built in collaboration with local body maker Centro Manufacturing Corp.

The 20-seater prototype has a longer wheel-base and a higher ground clearance, with the passenger entrance and exit now positioned safely at the sidewalk side, not at the rear.

“Because the Duterte government wants to phase out old jeepneys, we want to be part of the project. Our advantage over other suppliers of PUVs would be the nationwide availability of parts and services. What’s important is our after-sales support, because this isn’t a one-shot deal,” said IPC marketing head Joseph Bautista.

This NHR-55 prototype, along with another NHR unit configured into a school bus, was among the 10 or so trucks on display.

The Truck Fest also featured a flexi truck 10×10 body, and a medium-duty FVM Fruehaf Wing Van (which was used as the stage during the display).

Both were built by IPC’s trusted body builders Kyoei Kogyo Philippines Corp. (KPC) and Centro Manufacturing Corp., respectively.

In a speech to the motoring media on the opening day, IPC president Hajime Koso said there was “tremendous growth in the sales of trucks and buses during the past few years, with an average growth rate of 13 percent.”

He added that in 2016, truck sales grew 36 percent, with total sales of 6,079 units of new trucks and buses.

From this, Isuzu achieved the no. 1 position in total sales in all trucks segment for 17 consecutive years.

 

The earth-moving CYZ51 dump truck.

The earth-moving CYZ51 dump truck.

LTFRB directive

Centro Manufacturing Corp. vice president for sales and marketing Rommel Juan told Inquirer Motoring that with the implementation of the PUV modernization program, “we are seeing brand new trucks nationwide.”

He explained that “In any economy, there should be a rate of obsolescence in vehicles. Safety and technology should always be upgraded. This also comes with economic development.

“In the past, companies were not ready to buy brand new vehicles because they couldn’t afford it, but now, since our economy is growing rapidly, you have to be efficient and reliable.

“If you’re a logistics company, and your truck malfunctions, you lose so much money. That’s where having new trucks becomes feasible.

“That’s why truck sales are going up because of the economy, and with this growth comes brand new vehicles.”

Bautista shared that “a typical brand-new jeepney would cost from P700,000 to almost P1 million. A modern PUV is about P1.2 million.

“Maybe, a modern jeepney version with Euro 4 standard should be about that amount, as well.”

Bautista added that trucks, apart from jeepneys, if used as a public utility vehicle or public transport, will also not be allowed on public roads if they are 15 years or older.

“You will not be able to register them anymore. It’s an LTFRB directive, and it’s actually helping us gain a bigger market.

“Many businessmen are shifting from secondhand to brand new vehicles. And it’s a wiser investment.

“Big trucks, like the Wing Van, is sold for about P4.5 million to P5 million. Second-hand trucks go for P2.5 million. It’s almost half the price, but then you can use these trucks for only around three to four years.

“Our trucks would be useful for 15 years. You can even sell these after 15 years as private vehicles,” said Bautista.

 

JEEPNEY MAKEOVER Isuzu and Centro’s version of the PUV, the 20-seater NHR-55.

JEEPNEY MAKEOVER Isuzu and Centro’s version of the PUV, the 20-seater NHR-55.

Demand for brand-new trucks

One of the country’s most trusted truck brands, Isuzu has been a consistent segment leader specially for its light-duty N-Series trucks which has held the No. 1 position for 17 straight years.

In the past two years, however, the trucks and buses segment also saw a significant increase in demand, parallel to the growth of the economy, which is why IPC’s medium and heavy-duty trucks sales increased by around 13 percent in 2016.

Completing the light-duty truck line-up on display were the Isuzu NHR with iVAN body option, NPR dropside, NPR aluminum van, and NQR Garbage Compactor.

For the medium to heavy-duty segment, IPC displayed the FVM with crane, CYZ51 dump truck and EXZ51 tractor head.

Adding more diversity to the show, IPC displayed its leading light-commercial vehicles: the Isuzu mu-X Black Series and Isuzu D-MAX X-Series.

Koso said that the introduction of the Isuzu NHR with flexi truck 10×10 body and FVM with Fruehaf Wing Van are IPC’s latest addition to the wide array of body applications which can be done on Isuzu trucks.

Different body builders were on site during the show, including Centro, Almazora, KPC, Multilift, Transbilt, Versatemp, Red Dragon, CoolAire and JVF Commercial.

 

The versatile FVM, configured as a crane.

The versatile FVM, configured as a crane.

 

The FVMwith Fruehaf Wing Van can be turned into a portable stage.

The FVM with Fruehaf Wing Van can be turned into a portable stage.

 

Garbage into gold. An NQR garbage compactor, body design by Almazora.

Garbage into gold. An NQR garbage compactor, body design by Almazora.

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