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Falling in love with new cars and other highlights from last month’s social media

By Alvin Uy
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March 22,2016

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February’s social media calendar was composed of cars that you will love and most likely have one in your garage. Falling in love is a good thing. However, being fall guy is not, as ex-MRT boss Al Vitangcol exclaims. All these and more as we compile last month’s social media highlights from the archives of motioncars.com .

The Fortuner Awakens

TO DRIVE the Fortuner is to drive a totally new, totally different vehicle that bears little semblance to its predecessor.

Just like waiting any Star Wars movie sequel, Toyota has recently launched the all-new Fortuner after a decade of market domination by the first-generation model. However, Toyota has not changed its formula and is no longer as revolutionary as its predecessor, and now faces a much more competitive segment. It has also moved up in price, with the top model breaching P2 million. To compensate for this, it comes loaded with more features and better equipment, though.

With its tapered lights, it looks sleeker and more streamlined, more horizontal. Going by the tape, it is now wider than it is tall. Its most adventurous feature is the tapering window behind the rear door, a look shared with the new Lexus RX SUV. It comes with a smoother ride as well, so no need to worry about bumpy rides, which is a thing of the past already. Its introduction took the automotive social media by storm, with photos and prices splashed all over the internet when it was launched last month. Buyers have to wait for a few more weeks to get the deliveries of their orders and just like watching a Star Wars movie, the beeline is long. Aside from the Fortuner, Toyota also unveiled its all-new Innova with pricing starting at P919,000 for the base gasoline model, all the way up to P1.46 million for the top diesel variant.

Toyota’s Executive Chief Engineer Hiroki Nakajima calls the new Innova a “Multi-Performance Vehicle.” Its concept of toughness includes not just the traditional tough chassis, but also a comfortable ride even while traveling on unpaved roads, cabin quietness, and better fuel efficiency. Just like the all-new Fortuner, to check out the all-new Innova, just follow the beeline.

True or Fall? Ex-MRT boss claims the later

MAY 27, 2014
Atty. Al Vitangcol, general manager MRT3, during the committee meeting on Good Government and Public Accountability in Congress.
LYN RILLON

February should be a month of falling in love, not falling out of grace or being a “fall guy”. Disgruntled and former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 general manager Al Vitangcol III recently asked the Supreme Court to stop the Sandiganbayan antigraft court from proceeding with the corruption cases filed against him in connection with alleged anomalies in the railway’s maintenance contracts. In his defense, Vitangcol’s lawyer Inocencio Vivero Jr. submitted to the high court a 23-page affidavit where he blamed Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, his successor at the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Emilio A. Abaya, and two DOTC undersecretaries for the problems afflicting the MRT-3 line. He said that Roxas’ and the other DOTC officials’ failure to “timely and properly act” on the repeated requests to look for a new service provider resulted in questionable temporary agreements.

Vitangcol said he was made the “fall guy” by the DOTC officials. “If there is anyone who should be accountable to the people and to the law, it is no other than former Secretary Roxas, current Secretary Abaya, Usec. Lotilla and Usec. Limcaoco, whose repeated inaction and purposeful deferment delayed the procurement of a long-term MRT-3 maintenance agreement,” he said. Sought for comment, Roxas declined, saying he was not aware of the allegations raised by Vitangcol against him.

Foton’s 2020 vision

FOTON’S assembly plant facade

The country’s biggest Chinese automotive brand Foton finally puts up shop by opening the country’s first Sino-branded assembly plant in Pampanga. Foton Philippines says it is targeting 20,000 units in 5 years, according to its president Romel Sytin during its inaugural rites of its expansive 11-hectare assembly plant located inside Clark Freeport Zone. The brand has been making inroads in the local automotive market since 2006 by initially targeting the private sector. Eventually, it was able to penetrate the public sector by offering fleets of pickup trucks and other commercial vehicles such as patrol cars and ambulances vehicles to government institutions.

Back then, its first year of business sold only 100 units in 2007. By 2015, it had grown to 4,000 sold units. “By the year 2020, Foton Philippines aims to achieve an annual sales volume of 20,000 units,” Sytin added. Foton started its foray in the highly competitive market with its continued presence in major trade shows and motor shows like the Manila International Auto Show, Worldbex construction show and Philconstruct.

Hyundai says “Keep on Truckin’”

HD65 is Hyundai’s contender in the light truck category.

Coinciding with its 15th year as the distributor for Hyundai passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, Hyundai Asia Resource Inc. (HARI) takes over as new distributor for Hyundai commercial vehicles from Maxima Machineries, Inc. As one of the top selling brands in the automotive market, HARI is banking on its strong branding presence and market share in the passenger vehicle market to gain momentum and consolidate distribution of all types of vehicles (passenger and commercial) for the Hyundai brand.

Hyundai Motor Co. is one of the world’s biggest commercial vehicle producers.HARI president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said, “The timing is just perfect. All the essential ingredients that favor our new venture are in place: a stable economy to support the demand, industries on a steady growth track, upbeat consumer confidence, a vibrant new market that welcomes new players, and an enabling policy environment characterized by the implementation of the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) and new landmark policies designed to boost the competitiveness of Philippine business in the Asean Economic Community (AEC).”

Hyundai foresees rapid growth in the large commercial vehicle segment due to increased government spending in infrastructure projects and an active mining industry. HARI cited the $2.9-billion worth of public-private partnership projects that are to be implemented, with 80 percent of these being infrastructure related. Hari also foresees another $7 to 12 billion in infrastructure investment, many of which will require substantial hauling capacity. The third wave of Philippine motorization is predicted to last until at least 2020.

Honda PH launches all-new Pilot SUV

THE PILOT is powered by Honda’s latest version of its 3.5-liter V6 engine.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines officially launched the all-new Pilot at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel last month. Designed and developed in America by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., the all-new Pilot showcases generous space, powerful and dynamic performance, more advanced technology, and more premium attributes and amenities. It has earned several awards since it was first displayed at the 2015 Chicago International Auto Show in North America.

Honda’s redesigned premium SUV sports a sleeker design accentuated by distinctive character lines and an aggressive new face. The LED Projector Type Headlight with Signature LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and LED Tail Lights, as well as new 18-inch alloy wheels complete the All-New Pilot’s modern and commanding look.

Mitsubishi puts their money where their mouth is

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC), the local unit of Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) announced a P4.3 billion investment for its production facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, in preparation to participate in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program as it gears to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the third wave of motorization in the country. Mitsubishi is one of the longest and continuously running brands in the country with 50 years of presence in the local market. MMPC plans to tap the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered under CARS, which dangles some P27 billion worth of incentives for vehicle assemblers that can produce 200,000 units of a single model over a six-year period. Once the CARS program takes off, MMPC is mulling to further hike the production capacity of its facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, to 100,000 units, estimated to be about 1/3 of the country’s annual auto production output. Currently, the local unit’s assembly plant, at full capacity, can produce as many as 50,000 units.

The CARS program is expected to attract more than P27 billion in new parts manufacturing investments, and eventually produce at least 600,000 vehicles, generating some 200,000 new jobs, and generate a total economic activity estimated to be worth P300 billion. The resulting contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at about 1.7 percent.

Social Media’s version of “people’s power” stops Edsa museum and traffic plan

These days, “people power” can also be staged in the digital domain. Netizens took social media by storm with angry remarks as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced plans to close the westbound lane of White Plains Avenue from Temple Drive all the way to Edsa for 16 days for the 30^th“People Power Edsa” anniversary. Sensing another revolution, the MMDA later on relented and the road stretch was only be closed on the celebration on the actual day on February 25^th from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m. The MMDA earlier warned motorists of heavy traffic along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City to give way to the construction of an “experiential museum” for the Edsa anniversary celebration. MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos said the Edsa People Power Commission (PPC) earlier set plans to construct a museum composed of several halls, which would depict the events of the People Power Revolution until the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos. However, the Edsa PPC decided to stage it inside Camp Aguinaldo. MMDA special operations officer Emmanuel Miro told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the commission might have greatly considered the big effect that the road closure would bring to the riding public.

LTFRB fines abusive and colorum Uber driver

Inquirer file photo

The Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) en banc has finally fined Uber driver Nicolo Lizaso the amount of P200,000 and cancelled his franchise application for threatening to hit a stewardess with a metal pipe. The order penalized Lizaso for operating a public utility vehicle without proper authority based on the joint Administrative order no 2014-01. In a Facebook post last September, a certain Christine Fulgencio, a flight stewardess, said she rode Lizaso’s Toyota Vios, which did not have a conduction sticker, from Valle Verde in Pasig City on September 24^th.

Lizaso, she said, threw a fit against her, cussed and threatened to hit her with a steel pipe when she failed to precisely state her destination. Lizaso even sped away and escaped from the guards of Valle Verde 6 who tried to apprehend him, an investigation showed. The LTFRB immediately acted on the viral post on social media regarding Lizaso’s alleged arrogance, threat to the life of a passenger, and unauthorized use of a public utility vehicle. LTFRB would also recommend to the Land Transportation Office proper sanctions against Lizaso’s driver’s License, he added. SFM

Motorist had the shock of his life

Social media followers were “shocked” to see a viral video of a heated confrontation between Bacoor, Cavite traffic enforcers and a motorist and his passengers that ended up with the driver being hit with a taser due to a supposed traffic violation in Bacoor City. In the video first posted by a certain Kheo Avejar last February 4^th, he said the unnamed sales manager of his company and his employees were flagged down by traffic enforcers in front of SM Molino in Bacoor City due to a supposed traffic violation.

In the video, it can be seen that the sales manager, who was also the driver of the truck, was arguing with the enforcers on what violation he supposedly committed. He also refused to park his vehicle on the side of the road until his violation has been explained to him. The driver’s action seemed to irk one of the four traffic enforcers and ended up tassing him. The same traffic enforcer then saw one of the passengers who was taking the video of the incident and tried to get the tablet. They were all then asked to get off the vehicle but they stood their ground.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook account early Sunday, Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla said the traffic enforcers in the viral video had been suspended and that the city government was investigating the incident. The video shared by Avejar has since been “liked” more than 7,600 times and shared by more than 26,600 Facebook users.

Recalls on airbags still hound the industry

Looks like the airbag issue is still hounding the industry, as Toyota recalled about 320,000 trucks and SUVs in the US because the roof-mounted air bags can inflate without a crash. The recall covers the 2005 and 2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, the 2003 through 2006 Land Cruiser, and the 2004 through 2006 4-Runner. Also included are the 2003 through 2006 Lexus LX 470 and the 2004 through 2006 GX 470. According to Toyota, it was caused by improper programming in the air bag control computer that caused the problem, which could increase the risk of driver and passenger injuries. Toyota says it’s not aware of any crashes caused by the problem, but it has received reports of injuries such as scrapes and ringing in the ears. Last month, owners were notified of the recall by mail and Toyota dealers will replace the air bag control computer at no cost to owners.

Honda PH recalls Jazz, City, CR-V to fix airbag fault

On the local front, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announced a voluntary preventive measure campaign for select Jazz (2012-2013), City (2012-2014) and CR-V (2011) sold in the country due to a suspected defect in the driver’s airbag inflator. Although the said concern remains unconfirmed, the campaign is HCPI’s proactive action to ensure the safety of the owners of the affected vehicles to avoid any unfortunate circumstance should the problem occur. To date, no accidents nor injuries were reported related to this concern in the Philippines. Replacement and repair of the affected inflator will take only one (1) hour and no cost will be charged to the customer for both parts and labor.

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