The Honda Pilot and the 2006 Honda Sport Accord were simultaneously launched during the weeklong celebration, which showcased Honda’s latest innovations in mobility, foremost of which is its prestigious line-up of automobiles and motorcycles and the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, Honda’s Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility or ASIMO.
Launched in the US in 2002, the Pilot is reportedly Honda’s most awarded brand and is currently widely accepted by the American market. Because of this distinguished overall value and leadership stance, Honda Cars Philippines took the initiative to exclusively import the 2006 Pilot — a first in the history of Honda in Asia.
Listed as some of the Pilot’s first-class refinements include; 8-Way Power Adjustable Driver’s Seat with manual Lumbar Support, Leather Steering Wheel with Cruise Control and Audio switches, 6CD in-dash Audio System with 7 speakers, Synchronized Automatic Climate Control at the front and rear and Power windows and door locks.
The Pilot’s engine is a 3.5 liter, 24-valve, VTEC V6 engine delivering 247ps @ 5,600 rpm mated to a 5-speed Automatic Transmission. It is also equipped with the revolutionary Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel Drive or AWD and "On Demand" 4WD.
The Pilot has indeed quite a slew of technical advancements and refinements in performance and safety that need to be demonstrated to be better understood and exterior and interior amenities that need to be seen and experienced to be better appreciated. As HCPI’s president & general manger, Mr. Takashi Sekiguchi said in his presentation speech, "Ride it, drive it. With the new Honda Pilot, the sky is the limit as you feel and experience the rush of excitement it brings."
Reservations are now being accepted and availability is assured by November of this year with an introductory price of P2.6 million.
On the other hand, since its introduction in the 90s, the Honda Accord has sold an estimated average of 4,000 units every year in the US and its sustained acceptance in the Philippines is expected with the introduction of the 2006 Sport Accord.
The exterior’s inevitable eye-catching new chrome wing-typed front grille and lowered profile and sleek bonnet design for better aerodynamics with minimized drag and wind noise immediately speak of a sportier appearance. Coupled with new smoked-type headlights, new 16" alloy wheel design and additional exterior features such as door mirror turn lights that offer more visibility when changing lanes.
The Sport Accord comes in two variants — 2.4 i-VTEC that delivers 170ps and 3.0 V6 with 240ps and both boasts of greater vehicle stability with their Vehicle Stability Assist and 5-link double wishbone suspension. The 2.4 liter is priced at P1.47 million while and the top-of-the-line V6 is at P1.69 million.
"Admire the elegance. Feel the power. Experience class-leading luxury sedan performance that can only come from Honda’s most prestigious–the 2006 Accord," was how Mr. Arnel Doria "ended" his presentation speech of the Accord and publicly "began" in his newly promoted position of vice president of Honda Cars Philippines.
Congrats Arnel-san!
The donation was one of the highlights of IPC’s 9th anniversary, continuing the tradition of observing its official entry into the country by performing socially responsible activities for local communities further strengthening its role as a responsible corporate citizen.
To explain why Isuzu Philippines decided to establish the protected mangrove at the Hundred Islands, IPC president Yoshifumi Komura said, "Isuzu is proud to work together with local communities and their leaders in government and in the private sector to develop the local tourism sectors and boost economy. Isuzu is not only in the business of selling reliable and durable vehicles for the family and business. It is also serious about its role as a responsible partner of its loyal customers and the community at large. And there is nothing more important than helping customers and the community prosper while at the same time helping protect and preserve the environment."
Aside from the mangroves, IPC also donated environmental signages that are spread on Governor, Quezon and Children’s Islands that remind the touring public on keeping the islands clean. While during the short program that preceded the actual planting of mangroves, IPC vice president for corporate business Arthur Balmadrid also announced the donation of 500 flowering tress that will be used to line the roads leading into and out of the city.
Art further elucidated Isuzu’s role as a responsible corporate citizen by saying, "It is true that technology has made us realize that our world is really just a small village with very finite natural resources. It is very important for all of us to realize the need to conserve. Like Isuzu, we must al be responsible partners in our small global village and ensure that we can all always enjoy our moments of recreation for a long, long time."
During the actual planting of the mangrove, which was done by Komura-san, Art and Mayor Nani, strong winds and heavy rain poured drenching everyone wet to the bones. During what seemed to be a display of nature’s joy to such environment-preservation gesture, someone was heard saying, "If the storm really hits us now and something untoward would happen to all of us, there won’t be a Philippine motoring media to speak of–no motoring sections in newspapers, no motoring magazines and no motoring TV shows as most of the motoring journalists are all here."
Yes, almost everyone was there if only to show support for Isuzu’s worthy "Save our Mangroves" project.
Happy anniversary Isuzu Philippines!
The final outcome of the race, as you may know by now, did not alter the Driver’s Championship standings among the top contenders as Fernando Alonso of Renault and Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher both registered DNFs or "Did Not Finish" records.
The defending champion, the youngest so far in F1 history, should not be blamed for a possible screw-up by the Renault crew that caused a loose bolt or screw to fly from his rear wheel almost immediately after taking off from a pit stop, which actually caused him the race that he was leading. But then in Schumy’s case, many are of the belief that there he may have misjudged the situation where he had a prolonged track battle with Pedro dela Rosa of Mclaren-Mercedes. Some say it was a misplaced bravado that caused the German record-holder of unprecedented number of championships in F1, a no-point race. A reduction of the young Spaniard’s lead could make his quest for the 8th record championship a little less difficult.
Right after the exciting race I couldn’t resist the temptation of calling up newly-appointed Honda Cars Philippines vice president Arnel Doria ribbing him about the increased chances of watching any of the remaining F1 races with the first win of Honda since their come back and their first ever as a "solo" team in Formula 1 with podium finish of Jenson Button.
Everything that happened last Sunday only gave us F1 fans all the reasons not to miss the Turkish Grand Prix three Sundays from now come August 27.
Well, the trick there is to shift to neutral while breaking with your left foot and maintaining your right foot on the gas pedal.
Happy Motoring!!!
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