Seatbelt law implementation - a farce?

Judging by the account of one of our readers, Mr. Leandro A. Mojica, Jr. the implementation of the seatbelt law can also be called a sham, a mockery or downright ridiculous.

Mr. Mojica writes, “I just would like to share with you an experience with the so-called ‘traffic enforcers’, lately they have been busy flagging down private vehicles whose drivers (by their judgements) are violating the seat belt law. I do not begrudge them on this ‘zealousness’. However, what appalls me is their bias, they do not seem to notice that almost all PUJs and PUBs don’t have the proper 3-point seat belts installed in their vehicles. How come they are so vigilant on privately-owned vehicles but obviously ‘very blind’ to public utilities...one traffic enforcer was so ‘arrogant’ to chastise me – he said I should not make false accusations with regards to jeepney drivers not wearing the proper seat-belts unless I have proof – ay naku, talaga, they only see what they want to see...”

Yes, sir. You are so right. And I’m sure the government and police agencies task to implement this know the situation for sure but refuse to do anything about it.

Are there those in these agencies, especially those who always profess concern about safety, bold enough and upright enough to do something about this travesty?

Toyota’s media thanksgiving

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) again gathered members of the Philippine motoring media for its annual thanksgiving party. The yearly occasion stands as a testimony of Toyota’s recognition of the very important role that the local media plays not only in promoting Toyota products to the Philippine market but in helping the country’s automotive industry as a whole by informing the public about the latest models and technology that are now available.

This year’s very cordial affair was made cozier by the choice of a smaller yet more conducive venue where TMP executives and their associates mingle closer to the journalists and promote closer camaraderie and fellowship. The venue this year was Blue Leaf at the newly-developed McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

A whole slew of prizes were again given away, but this time those who got had to work for them in a very enjoyable and entertaining way like winning fun-filled contests instead of the usual raffle or the boring drawing of names.

TMP also took the opportunity to announce the introduction of the 2.0-liter Corolla Altis. This top-of-line variant is equipped with a dual VVT-I engine, paddle shift, smart entry with push-start system and an array of “comfort and safety features that puts it a notch above its class.”

Incidentally, the event was also an opportunity for Toyota Motor Philippines to announce its continuing dominance of the local automotive industry by again achieving for the 7th consecutive time their record smashing sales leadership in passenger cars, commercial vehicles and in total overall sales.

Congratulations to Toyota Motor Philippines.

Being Number One seems to be a hard habit to kick?

Hino 300 Light Duty Truck launch

The Le Pavillion in Roxas Boulevard, Manila was the venue chosen by Pilipinas Hino, Inc. (PHI) to launch their 300 truck series last January 29.

One of the main highlights of the event was the audio-visual presentation that showed how this model series, which come in 4-wheeler and 6-wheeler variants, can be so versatile by having the flexibility of having it customized to different body applications like, aluminum cargo van, water tanker, passenger van, dropsied cargo body, flat bed cargo body, aerial platform, mini dump truck, fire fighting truck, crane cargo and refrigerated van.

Another highlight of the event is the “Grandeza”, a new breed of bus added to the Hino bus line-up that has “the stylish interior and exterior designs, well synchronized to satisfy the luxurious, aesthetic taste of elegance, comfort and functionality.”

The Hino 300 light truck series can be checked out in any of PHI authorized dealers all over the country or visit their website at www.pilipinashino.com.ph

Congratulations to Pilipinas Hino.

Lifan Cars now in the Philippines

The company had it beginnings as a motorcycle manufacturer until it ventured into automobile production in 2006 upon seeing the growing demand for quality but affordable vehicles not only in China (the company’s origin) but also in the international market.

Lifan Cars entered the global passenger industry in March 2007 with the release of the LF520 in Vietnam. In August of the same year, the LF520 came off the assembly lines in Russia and passed the European crash test standards. Today, the LF520 is exported to over 50 countries with five overseas assembly plants set up to meet these global demand.

And now Lifan Cars come to Philippine shores.

The LF520 model is also Lifan Cars’ maiden offering in the country. It is equipped with a SOHC 16-valve head and electronic throttle control delivering a maximum torque of 149 Newton-meters.

It also has a 5-speed manual transmission, with a rack-and-pinion, hydraulic-assisted steering system. A McPherson strut with stabilizer in the front and torsion beam in the rear suspension system absorbs the jolts should one encounter rough patches on the road.

The LF520’s standard safety features include ABS, driver’s and front passenger airbags, and side-beam protection system.

You can it out at the Lifan Showroom in West Avenue, Quezon City.

Welcome to the country, Lifan Cars.

Kudos for swift action

In this column we only hit when we find a dire need to hit to correct a wrong to defend the oppressed but we never scrimp on our kudos for the deserving.

Some people sounded so desperate about their problems with their vehicles which according to them, seemed beyond solution.

But then as long as there are people in the industry like Ford Group Philippines (FGP) VP for customer service, Dave Macasadia and backed up by no less then FGP president Rick Baker, vehicle owners like our reader Pol Pastoral would regain their trust and confidence with the company that they purchased their automobile from.

There’s also senior VP for business affairs, Art Balmadrid of Isuzu Philippines Corporation to commend for making our reader Manuel I. de Leon realize that owning a vehicle that has stopped production like the Trooper is not a disadvantage as long as the auto company that he got it from makes true its commitment to make every Isuzu owner a satisfied customer.

Thank you guys for raising the bar for customer satisfaction.

I doff my hat to you and cheers!

Heartwarming tradition

There was no less than the president of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, ever with “a winning toothpaste smile”, Keiji Takeda together with senior VP for corporate business, Art Balmadrid and joined by media darling Timmy Naval-de Leon and IPC media point man Ronald “Isuzu Joe” Baladad who personally hosted lunch at the Zuni for January-born motoring journalists, Vernon Sarne, editor of Top Gear magazine and myself.

While Honda Cars Philippines took their turn by inviting for lunch at Gaudi in Serendra with head of sales, Voltaire Gonzales joined by media relations veterans Tin Tin Reyes and Sheryl delos Santos.

This tradition of marking and celebrating the birthdays of motoring journalists has been established so may years back and consistently kept by these two automotive industry giants as, “their way of showing appreciation to the efforts of the motoring media in providing the continuous flow of information from the industry’s manufacturers and distributors to the industry’s market or consumers.”

Very touching indeed. Thanks guys.

Happy Motoring!!!

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