About the bug

Once more with feelings: Volkswagen – VW – The Bug – The Beetle – the “Peoples Car” and company are back!

After months of talks, speculations and more speculations, Volkswagen much like MacArthur officially returns to the Philippines in “partnership” with Ayala Automotive Holdings Corporation or AAHC. At the very start, any curious journalist or individual might automatically jump to the next question; if AAHC is a Holdings Corporation does this mean that they’ll be carrying several brands as well? I don’t have the answer to that one, but for now what’s clear is that AAHC has set up a dedicated company to handle Volkswagen sales in the Philippines through ACEI or Automobile Central Inc.

When the Ayala group first announced their decision to join the automotive sales market via Volkswagen products, a number of motoring journalists and potential dealers were very curious about what models would be launched by ACEI/VW. The next question was where would ACEI get the needed team to manage and market the new VW line-up. In typical “Ayala management” style, the newcomers were very methodical by scouting potential recruits, hiring a complimentary mix of very experienced motoring and non-motoring executives and being generally tight–lipped about their movements and activities.

Last Monday, September 23, the ACEI executives finally took the lid of their secrets and shared with the media who-what-where & how VW returns to the Philippines by hosting an exclusive lunch for motoring media at the equally exclusive Manila Polo Club. During the affair, ACEI executives announced that “one of the most anticipated comeback brands in the local automotive industry, Volkswagen, has set the stage for a major ‘Brand Launch’ event dubbed the People’s Car celebration,” which will kick off on September 28 to 29 at the Ayala Greenbelt Park.

The weekend event will showcase the various facets of the Volkswagen brand complete with a scattering of iconic VW models such as the Scirocco R, Golf MK7, Phaeton, Passat as well as a “21st century Beetle.” Aside from the fun and games, VW will raffle off one 21st century Beetle around 8pm of September 29 and in order to join it better go to their website right away as well as participate in the Peoples Car celebration because you have to be there, go through a series of games and test in order to get your raffle ticket, plus be there during the draw. Of course you’ll be in good company as they expect around a half a million people to visit as well as join.

The one that will surely be attracting a lot of attention would be the new product offerings of Volkswagen that will now be available to the Philippine market all of which (I think) are diesel-powered, something that is very attractive to dealers and buyers. According to what I picked up, the homecoming line-up of VW are the Jetta 2.0 TDI with a suggested retail price of P1,295,000; the Touran 2.0 TDI with an SRP of P1,775,000; the Tiguan 2.0 TDI at P2,109,000 and the top of the line VW Touareg V6 TDI SUV offered at P4,290,000.

In case you happen to be a devoted VW follower/owner, you’re probably wondering why several iconic models powered by gasoline engines are not in the offering list of Volkswagen. Well it seems that the German manufacturer independently commissioned an analysis of the gasoline sold all over the Philippines and not just in Metro Manila. The overseas laboratory reported that all fuel samples EXCEPT for those from Petron, Shell and Caltex, contained certain additives, particularly manganese which was being used as a replacement for lead, the banned substance in gasoline. In other words the quality of diesel fuels passed but only the gasoline from Petron, Shell and Caltex passed.

Manganese increases and stabilizes the octane ratings of gasoline but just like lead, causes long-term damage to the nervous system as well as destroying the surrounding air quality. Equally important to Volkswagen, the substandard or adulterated gasoline would impair and eventually damage their engines and would create more problems for the company down the line. If VW eventually allows the sales of VW petrol-based vehicles chances are it would come with specific labels, warning and agreements with buyers about the type and brand of fuel used. Apparently, VW has even gone to the extent of asking the top 3 fuel companies to issue written guarantees that their gasoline has no manganese content.

While hosting lunch, the guys from Automobile Central introduced their executive line-up beginning with  Ayala Automobile Holdings Corporation President John Philip Orbeta; Ms. Janina Mendoza, head of operations; Ms. Nona Ong, Chief Finance Officer AAHC; Arnel Doria, Sales & Marketing head; Ms. Je Borromeo, Marketing communications manager; while Andros Villaraza handles Fleets Sales and Pauline Gonzales is the Communications specialist of the group.

In case you’ve been meaning to be one of the first to buy the new VWs, “sales reservation will start on September 28 at Volkswagen BGC, the first dealership located along 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City.