A nightmare of an auto launch

Three motoring journalists were physically assaulted and even reportedly threatened with "a bullet in their head" during the media launch of a new line of automobiles, which was said to be an offshoot of an article written by one of them that allegedly did not sit well with the local distributor of the vehicles.

Here is the gist of the compiled accounts from the victims, witnesses and the police report on what many journalists who learned about it describe as "an ugly, despicable and revolting" incident that happened during the launch of "China-made" vehicles brought to the country by Auto Prominence Corporation (APC) last week, February 28th, Tuesday at the Autostadt Building in Pasong Tamo, Makati.

From the information gathered, the saga may have all started when Vernon Sarne, editor-in-chief of well-known and respected motoring magazine Top Gear and motoring columnist of the Manila Times wrote a critical article regarding the about-to-be-launched "Made in China" vehicles, which Auto Prominence Corporation was to unveil that evening to the media, citing among others the similarity in appearance of the said vehicles to existing brand models that are already in the market. He also considered their durability and reliability suspect in the face of the less than standard warranties that go with them — 5,000 kilometers instead of the more common 10,000 or two years instead of the more expected three years.

In the evening of the launch, in which Vernon himself was invited, an altercation ensued between Vernon and Mr. Paul Rodriguez, president of APC and Paul’s son Paolo, who reportedly may have actually triggered the whole melee by calling Vernon "bobo", in reference to what he had written about their vehicles and with Vernon warning him to watch his language.

And it was reportedly at this point when Paul shoved Vernon and fists from his armed bodyguards and other APC employees started to fly. Other journalists who saw the developing scenario rushed to help to make things simmer down — Ira Panganiban of Metroactive Media tried to pull Vernon out of harm’s way from the bodyguards and other employees and got the full brunt of the blows causing cuts in his face and bruises to his body and Dong Magsajo, motoring editor of The Philippine STAR repeatedly tried to cool down Paul. The assault only ceased reportedly after the ladies who were around tried to put themselves in between the bodyguards and the journalists.

The above brief description of events was made after a most thorough investigation taking into account statements from those involved and those who witnessed the incident coupled with the police report. As of this writing we still don’t have a personal account of the incident from Mr. Paul Rodriguez as he was reported to have made a trip to Europe the next day after the incident.

An immediate response from the top groups of journalists covering the motoring and motor sports beat in Philippine media came by way of a joint statement from SPMJ, the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists and CAGI, Car Awards Group, Inc., which reads in part:

"We strongly condemn the physical and verbal assault made on two journalists who were invited guests in the launching of the Nexus brand of automobiles on the night of February 28, 2006 at the Autostadt Building on Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati.

We, from SPMJ and CAGI believe that this act is a blatant display of brute force to prevent journalists from performing their duties to pursue the truth. In this case, the truth concerns issues on consumer protection and public safety."

Signed:

Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists / Car Awards Group, Inc.

No, I don’t think the saga ends here.

Isuzu climbs again to the top

Last week was Isuzu Philippines’ 3rd climb to Mt. Pinatubo. The first was in 2002 when they put into the test the Isuzu Fuego. They went back in 2004 subjecting the newly-launched Isuzu D-MAX to the off-road challenges of the trip. And for its third assent, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) brought back the D-MAX, now considered as the #1 pickup in the Philippine market but this time combined with the new Isuzu Alterra sport recreational vehicle to face up with the rugged terrain of Mt. Pinatubo.

In all these adventures the motoring media was always in tow with this trip having a total of 18 motoring journalists from various broadsheet newspapers car/travel magazines and motoring TV programs. All having the experience of driving a fleet of nine Isuzu vehicles consisting of three Isuzu Alterra 4x4, four Isuzu D-Max and two Isuzu Alterra 4x2.

Having been invited to this grueling event, I would have really enjoyed the trip, especially considering that I haven’t had the opportunity of seeing Mt. Pinatubo in all its majestic beauty. But waking up at 3 o’clock in the morning is a little off my lifestyle — that’s the time when I just start getting sleepy.

But I think I really missed a lot considering the exciting activities that the journalists enjoyed experiencing during the trip. There was this 4x4 briefing and clinic conducted by the Angeles City 4-Wheeler Club headed by it president Rey Liwag where motoring journalists were instructed about the dos and don’ts of 4x4 off-road driving right at the Sacobia River centering on actual applications of the Altera and D-Max 4x4, especially the usage if Isuzu’s very convenient and much south-after shift-on-the-fly system. Then there was the actual driving through lahar stretches and maneuvering through large boulders and sometimes even over big rocks.

Well, I don’t think I really missed having to go through a six-hour trek — meaning walking — to the Mt. Pinatubo crater. But then everybody was treated right after to a relaxing massage and hot spa, which I would have enjoyed even without the trek.

But then there are also those much talked about Isuzu games that come after a trip with prizes galore, this time a whole caboodle of gift certificates from sponsor TOTAL Philippines Corp., who provided the fuel and the very important lubricants for the grueling drive with no less than their corporate communications manager Malou Espina in attendance and with the very game Alexine Parreño.

This latest Isuzu adventure to Mt. Pinatubo can really be summed up by what our good friend Art Balmadrid, the top Filipino executive of Isuzu Philippines as vice president for corporate business, when he said in his speech, "No human creations ca match such powers of Nature, thus our third visit to Pinatubo with our new Alterra 4x4 and the D-Max 4x4 is not a trek of conquest but a tribute to the unique of-road driving opportunities that the trail offers."

Well said Art. I didn’t see you in Pinatubo but I hope to see you in Bangkok for the motor show.

Pit lane Notes

Red Bull F1 Racing’s loss is Red Bull-Toyota’s gain. Gunther Steiner, Red Bull’s technical director for Formula 1, was recently assigned to take on the technical duties for their Red Bull-Toyota NASCAR team starting April. The talented forty year old will be sorely missed by his F1 team, but Red Bull is confident that he will work his magic in the NASCAR front. Their team will start racing in 2007 and Steiner is reportedly looking forward to tackling this new challenge.

So what do you guys think — will Kimi Raikkonen jump ship to Ferrari or will he stay put at McLaren? That is the question on everyone’s minds right now as the controversial young Fin is intent on keeping his silence about his impending decision. He was, however, not above giving little hints as to which direction he is leaning towards. He reportedly said that he is not a Ferrari driver — at least not yet. He was also quoted as saying that Michael Schumacher will not influence his decision. Ok, maybe not. Maybe it was the announcement of current World Champion Driver Fernando Alonso’s 2007 move to the Silver Arrows that swayed him. It was also reported that someone from Alonso’s camp said that it would be impossible for Fernando and Kimi to be teammates at McLaren. This is turning out to be a great little sidelight to the already exciting and colorful world of Formula 1 racing, isn’t it?

On another note, Kimi was said to be very satisfied with how his car — the MP4-21 — performed at their recent testing session in Valencia. It is no secret that McLaren has been plagued with reliability problems in the last couple of seasons, so this is definitely good news for all the Kimi and Juan Pablo Montoya fans out there. Could 2006 finally be their year?

Motoring Tip of the Week

Summer trips are just about to come. Don’t wait for the last minute to check if your vehicle is road worthy for long drives. This could be the right time to find out. When there’s still no rush.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: (e-mail) [email protected]