New fuel efficiency record in the Isuzu Family Challenge

Cebu’s Wennie Engracial and Efren Palma set a new fuel efficiency record in the ongoing Isuzu Family Challenge with their 2003 Crosswind XUV MT logged in a fuel efficiency rating of 34.89 kilometers per liter beating the last standing record of 32km/l.

The route passed Cebu’s main roads simulating typical driving conditions in the city. The entire run was 108.5 kilometers with the winning team clocking in two hours and 59 minutes. Palma, a seaman and the team navigator, and Engracial, a PLDT employe and the team driver, thought the Isuzu Family Challenge would be a great way for them to catch up with their friendship and for their respective families to bond. It was the first time for both to join such a contest.

Isuzu Cebu, Inc. general manager Tony Pineda welcomed the families that joined last weekend’s event which began at the Isuzu Mandaue dealership and ended at the White Sand Beach Resort in Maribago. Flagging off the teams with Pineda was the Isuzu Philippines Corporation president Keiji Takeda.

Takeda, in his rallying speech to the participants, reiterated Isuzu’s commitment as the Filipino’s reliable and caring partner in life and business. The goal of every Isuzu Challenge is to go farther with less fuel and to test every Isuzu vehicle’s performance. “Isuzu Philippines will continue to organize exciting and challenging events like this in order for us to stress the importance of proper driving in bringing out the maximum fuel efficiency of a vehicle,” adds Takeda.

Ultimately, this year’s Isuzu Family Challenge is not just about teams of drivers and navigators competing against each other but about families having a fun day together with their own special Isuzu family. Capping off the event is a series of beach games, magic shows, mascots meet n’ greet sessions and performances, and more family bonding time on the beach.

Fourteen teams with their families participated in the Mandaue leg of this highly anticipated Isuzu event. It is a get-together of the Isuzu family which Isuzu Cebu, Inc. general manager Tony Pineda describes as the essence of the dealership’s corporate social responsibility. The event is not just about doing extra activities with customers but providing a service to them and the general public. The message is that good vehicles driven properly help the planet and save fuel. Also, that properly maintained engines lessen pollution and prolong the usefulness of vehicles. “Events like these are not just for advertising and promotion. Our responsibility does not end after selling the vehicles. We come up with activities like this to make sure your Isuzu vehicles are used to their maximum capacity. Events like this allow customers to test the products and demonstrate that the product is worth more than its value,” says Pineda.

The emphasis on fuel efficiency in Isuzu events is not only a response to the rising oil prices but to the need for commitment to cleaner air. According to Isuzu Cebu, Inc. sales manager Marylou Labrador Neri, to qualify, participating vehicles underwent emissions testing using the LGU’s recently acquired equipment. With the nature of the event involving entire families, the message of fuel efficiency and commitment to clean air is something that is passed on to the kids who are also an important part of the entire program.

The Isuzu Family Challenge is open to all Isuzu owners of Crosswind, D-MAX, and Alterra, male or female. This year’s challenge is an open-category fuel economy contest. Upcoming legs are Isuzu Davao, October 18; Isuzu Iloilo, October 25; Isuzu Bacolod, November 8; and Isuzu Cagayan de Oro, November 15.

Topping the Isuzu Cebu leg are Wennie Engracial and Efren Palma in first place. Kim Uy Dy and Jhiella Fajardo in second with 31.27 km/l in their 2007 Crosswind XTI MT and Frank Evangelista and Maritese Evangelista with 31.09 km/l in their Crosswind XT.

The challenge is mainly a fuel-economy contest. The team that consumes the least amount of fuel over the set distance wins the competition. Participating Isuzu vehicles must be stock with odometers not exceeding 100,000 kilometers. The winning team receives a cash prize of P15,000, with the runners-up getting P10,000 and P5,000 respectively.