TMP launches highly improved Fortuner and Hilux

Last week was quite a busy one for motoring journalists with important auto industry events scheduled almost one after another.

Last Tuesday, September 11, TMP (Toyota Motor Philippines) launched to its dealers and the motoring media the much-improved Fortuner and Hilux at the Holiday Inn in Clark.

During the test drives at the Clark Speedway the next day after the launch both models were made to demonstrate one of their major improvements; the advanced Variable Nozzle Turbocharger (VNT) Technology with Intercooler, which aims to improve fuel efficiency and produce additional engine power by 40% and increase torque by 30%. VNT is available for the Fortuner’s 4x4 V and 4x2 G Diesel manual and automatic variants and also for the Hilux’s 4x4 G, 4x2 G and 4x2 E variants.

A new feature for the Fortuner 4x4 V Diesel, 4x2 G Diesel Automatic and all Hilux 4x4 variants will be a newly installed Audio system with Navigation Global Positioning System, which offers the most POIs (Points Of Interest) available in the Philippines.

The new improved Fortuner top-of-the-line 3.0 liter V Diesel variant is priced at P1,759,000.00 while the Hilux premium G variant, 3.0 liter Diesel is priced at P1,474,000.00. 

The Tuesday evening launch was marked by the usual Toyota fellowship, which saw members of the media and TMP executives lead by its rocker-president Sugata-san belting songs with the live band and Texas Hold ‘em for the usual “all in suspects”. The merriment lasted deep into the night making it hard for those who opted to play golf to wake up early the next day. But then, Toyota events are always marked with fellowship and merriment, so who cares.

All these improved models of Fortuner and Hilux are now available in all Toyota dealerships nationwide.

Mazda breathes back to life

A new entity shall embark on the new distributorship of Mazda vehicles, parts and accessories in the Philippines starting January 1, 2013.

Mazda Motor Corporation (Japan) signed the exclusive distribution contract with Berjaya Auto Philippines, Inc., whose main shareholders include Bermaz Motor International Ltd, an indirect subsidiary of Malaysian global conglomerate, Berjaya Corporation Berhad and Berjaya Philippines Inc. 

As many of you would know, Mazda was distributed in the country by Ford Group Philippines (FGP) until Ford Motor Company decided to lessen their equity in Mazda Motor Corporation. Up until the end of the year FGP would still be selling the remaining inventory of Mazda vehicles and parts while the 3-month transition is going on.

Present during the contract-signing event held last Wednesday, September 11 at the Blue Leaf, McKinley Hill were Mr. Yuji Nakamine, director and senior managing executive officer of Mazda Motor Corporation and Mr. Francis Lee, executive director of Bermaz Motor International representing the Berjaya Group of Companies together with the newly-appointed CEO of Berjaya Auto Philippines and former FGP marketing top honcho Steven Tan. Retired Ford Group Philippines vp for customer service Dave Macasadia also forms part of the management group of veteran automotive executives that work hard “to bring the Mazda brand to greater heights in the Philippines and promised to continue to offer Filipino customers new and exciting products”.

Congratulations to Berjaya Auto Philippines and welcome back to Steven and Mr. Mac.

V-Kool in the Philippines

Also last Tuesday, V-Kool Philippines president Willy Tee Ten unveiled the first V-Kool Full Fledged Green Store concept in the country. 

The brand new V-KOOL full fledged outlet concept was designed with environment-friendly considerations, and is also the first Green Store in the whole automotive window film industry as well as the first in the entire V-KOOL network. Fulfilling the standards of V-KOOL Green Store accreditation, careful selection of construction materials from wall paints to air-conditioning units were put into place, not forgetting sustainable resources used for marketing collaterals. The new outlet is the perfect platform to showcase V-KOOL’s Envirocare premium film packages where consumers can discover green attributes delivered by V-KOOL products.

For more information about V-Kool you can log on to its newly-launched official website: www.vkool.com.ph.

10 years of Wheel Gallery

The success of the tandem of Sammy Liuson and Johnny Tan and their Wheel Gallery has extended to 10 years of providing automobile enthusiasts not only value for their money but the latest in wheel design and unparalleled safety and reliability. 

It was in 2002 when the Concept One wheel brand took the automobile after market by storm and since then there was no looking back. 

Sammy, who’s also referred to as the “godfather” of the local “auto after market mafia” was reminiscing during the well-attended 10th anniversary celebration, that Wheel Gallery intrigued the wheel enthusiasts when they introduced the 17 to 20-inch wheels when the norm then was to have 15-inch tires and went on to flood the market with 20 to 22-inch designs that the car buffs can’t seem to have enough of—and the rest is history, as the old cliché would have it.

Congratulations to Wheel Gallery. 

BMW Leisure Trips

Last Saturday, we taped the first of a series of BMW Leisure Trips, a new segment of the TV show B&L or Business & Leisure, which airs Tuesday evenings, 10 o’clock, Shop TV, Channel 13, on the Sky Cable Network.

The new lifestyle portion of B&L is actually a list of recommended “leisure destinations”, the first of which had the spotlight on Chef Par Exellance Tony Boy Escalante’s Antonio’s Restaurant, the iconic dinning destination located in Tagaytay City.

These “leisure trips” we shall take aboard various remarkable models of BMWs, with the BMW 5-Series and the BMW X-3 rising to the occasion on the segment’s maiden airing.

One of the major episodes of the BMW Leisure Trips would be the land tour of parts of Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy), which my brothers, Rey, Eddie and myself with our wives (Evelyn, Raquel and Babes) and nephew Argee would take starting next week for the next two weeks aboard BMWs courtesy of its exclusive importers and distributors in the Philippines, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC) lovely president, Ms. Maricar Parco and executive director Glen Dasig with the kind prodding of ACC’s past president, Mr. Bobby Rosales.      

Perhaps a two-week break?

I face two long weeks of hard driving with our land tour of Europe—hard but comfortable and safe, after all we’ll be using BMWs.

I don’t know if I could squeeze in my columns during our trip, but who knows, I just might be able to.

But if I won’t, you can rest assured of a full account of this land travel adventure upon my return.

Happy Motoring!!!

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