Suspend their driver’s license!

I have my utmost respect for the public utility driver who has paramount in his mind his passengers’ safety, comfort and convenience but nothing but disdain and contempt for the those who make disregarding traffic rules, regulations and signs a way of life and have nary a care or concern for the commuters’ welfare.

Having said that, I urge the MMDA to go ahead and implement with haste the suspension of licenses of drivers who have continually disregarded their "traffic violation tickets" and have shown intentions of not acknowledging them or paying for their corresponding fines.

It has been said many times that our country has more than its ample share of laws, traffic regulations included, but there is a dearth in their strict implementation more so of their sanctions — therefore a wanton disregard for many of these laws and regulations. Now is probably the best opportune time to show the government’s political will to punish those who have erred to serve as an example to those who still think these traffic laws are just meant to be broken.

To MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando we say — way to go and get those undisciplined drivers off our Metro’s streets!

Isuzu goes straight to the "heart"

The engine or powertrain is considered the "heart" of motor vehicles or any motor-run machinery, as even without the other parts, an automobile or a machinery may still function, but not without the engine or powertrain.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) just recently declared its plunge to the heart by launching a "first of its kind" business in the Philippines — making available diesel engines for industrial, marine and automotive applications — brand new Isuzu diesel engines to the marine industry (fishing vessels, light boats, yachts and other water crafts), users of industrial engines (power generation, air-con auxiliary engines, forklift engines, etc.) and transport industry (operators and assemblers of jeepneys and owners of bus and truck fleets).

When it comes to both diesel vehicle engines and diesel industrial power plants, the expertise of Isuzu dates back all the way to 1936, when its predecessor company, Automobile Industries Co., Ltd., developed Japan’s first air-cooled automotive diesel engine.

After seven decades and 18 million diesel engines around the world, Isuzu is still on top with its trendsetting technology in diesel engineering proven by such technological innovations as direct-injection system, turbocharging with intercooler and the electronically controlled common-rail high-pressure fuel-injection system. Isuzu has also set up a global diesel engine supply network that covers Europe, North America, Japan and other parts of Asia, which can make it lay claim that no other diesel manufacturer in the world has the global production and sales network that Isuzu has.

During the "Isuzu Powertrain Launch", where DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza was one of the honored guests, when it was held last Friday, August 19 at the Rockwell Tent, IPC president, Yoshifumi Komura, described it as a momentous occasion, "I say momentous, because in my term as president of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, and perhaps in my entire career, this event represents the beginning of something new, something big, and something that will revolutionize the role of Isuzu in the Philippines."

For his part, Art Balmadrid, IPC’s vice president for corporate business, aptly described in his speech what Isuzu, after all the series of events and activities, then had to offer, "Well, aside from the cutting edge diesel engine technology, the state-of-the-art designs and the brand that has been a trusted name in commercial vehicles, tonight, we proudly show you that indeed, "the world works on Isuzu Diesel, as we go beyond fulfilling your transportation needs."

Congratulations to Isuzu Philippines Corporation as they embark on this new business horizon that could indeed work for the betterment of the country’s economy.

Ford Focus makes public debut

After its first official appearance in the Philippines several weeks back that was limited to the motoring media and which was immediately followed a week after by it first Asia-Pacific Media Launch & Test Drive held in Pattaya, Thailand, the Focus, heralded by Ford Philippines as "the new car of choice" and the "must have car of the year" finally made its public debut last Friday, August 19, which was marked by five simultaneous launch parties in Ford dealerships located in Alabang, EDSA, Makati, Balintawak and Libis.

To date, the Ford Focus has received over 80 international awards, part of which is the distinction of being the first and only car to secure the much coveted "Car of the Year" in both Europe and North America, a feat that’s reportedly unmatched by any other car manufacturer.

The new Ford Focus will be manufactured at Ford’s Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant for export to the ASEAN region’s countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Well, finally, you don’t only get to read about the Ford Focus; you can now see it up close with a test drive to boot at any of the Ford dealerships all over the country. Check it out!

Pit Lane Notes

Chalk up another win for the amazing Kimi Raikkonen! McLaren did one heck of a job in the maiden run of the Turkish Grand Prix, despite the slippery surface of a brand new track, proving absolutely unbeatable both in qualifying and the race itself. However, with yet another stroke of bad luck from Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi only managed to chop 2 points off Fernando Alonso’s lead. Although the season is far from over, the young Fin should really work overtime if he wants his first driver’s championship.

Well, Rubens Barrichello has ended all the speculations surrounding his impending departure from Ferrari — he has announced that he has signed a multi-year deal with BAR Honda. He has nothing but kind words to say about his former team, and reportedly said that he was proud to have helped the team win five constructor’s titles. He said that the only real reason why he wants to leave was because his goal was to win the driver’s championship — which would be impossible if you had a teammate named Michael Schumacher. BAR’s Nick Fry was reportedly delighted over the deal, noting that this was yet another milestone in the team’s already colorful history.

According to reports, Rubens was handpicked by no less than Jenson Button. This is where it gets complicated. Who will BAR Honda’s number one driver be then? And if somewhere down the road they suddenly decide that it’s Button, then the Brazilian will be right back where we started. Also, there’s that matter of the young Briton’s problems concerning his contract with Williams. The saga that is Button’s career lives on. While the other people in this beloved country of ours are fixated on telenovelas, us F1 aficionados have this to look forward to. It’s just as dramatic, just as riveting, and just as interesting.

MegaMotion Thanksgiving

For the out-and-out auto buff the name MegaMotion will soon become a by-word as it now embarks further and deeper into the other automobile concerns like detailing, repair, painting and maintenance to "souping up" and dressing up.

This move was marked with a thanksgiving affair held at its Otis outlet in Manila where auto enthusiasts gathered to join the very friendly and gregarious Steve So, who’s behind the continuing success of MegaMotion.

Among those who came for the very exclusive get-together were NBN’s Dong Luna who came together with TV show "Agri" host/producer Philip Daffon, who was also Motoring Today’s director in its early years. Willie Tee Ten of Ford Makati, Andy Cheng of Options Unlimited, Robertson Sy of Blade and other personalities, all friends of Steve made sure of their presence during the event. I know my good friend Willie was hoping to see in attendance MegaMotion’s brand endorser, Diana Zubiri, but unfortunately she was unavailable.

All the best to MegaMotion in its new endeavor.

Toyota "adopts" 20 schools for Road Safety Seminars

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) and the Toyota Foundation have just recently confirmed their sponsorship of "Road Safety Seminars" for the first 20 schools, which will be conducted by SPMJ, the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists and a team of well-trained "road safety educators". This is Toyota’s support of SPMJ’s advocacy to teach the youth to become safe and responsible road users.

Engr. Serafin "Afin" Pantaleon, TMPC senior vice president said that the sponsorship forms part of Toyota’s on-going Road Safety program that it is conducting in partnership with SPMJ and the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), where the latter shall focus on reaching the sectoral stakeholders (government business & private sectors) in this road safety concern while SPMJ concentrates on educating the youth.

SPMJ’s project manager, Quito da Roza, a retired top marketing executive of Phillip Morris International, who managed a similar undertaking for PMI, is now in the process of conducting extensive training for the "road safety educators" to ensure their expertise on the subject.

In the midst of all these, other automotive companies, like Ford Philippines and other corporate stakeholders are still studying their possible involvement in promoting the SPMJ advocacy where the clear beneficiaries shall be our children and theirs in living in a society of responsible and safe road users.

Motoring Tip of the Week

What do you do when your brake pedal suddenly goes flat to the floor without stopping your vehicle while running at a fast clip?

First of all, you don’t panic by just quickly swerving your vehicle to whatever direction without even checking if there are vehicles on your either side or looking at where you are heading. The first thing that you should do is to pump on your brake pedal and try to get the brakes to work back and look at both sides of your vehicle to see if it’s clear before slowly maneuvering your vehicle safely to the side of the road until it halts to a stop.

In an emergency situation where you are bound to hit something or someone ahead if you don’t stop your vehicle immediately, try to scrap the side of your vehicle to a wall or to any immovable objects in order to hasten its slowing down and eventually its ceasing to go any further.

Happy Motoring!!!

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