Dare to compare

In a world of apples and oranges, human beings are wise to avoid comparing themselves with others. But in a world where science, technology and numbers are the standards, comparisons show us where a product, a brand or a corporation stands in terms of excellence and confidence. I recently joined a motoring event hosted by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Bangkok, Thailand and it occurred to me that comparisons can also teach us lessons about Philippine standards of excellence, how we envision solutions and our attitudes in global comparison. That lesson is: “Dare to compare”.

When Mitsubishi Motors Philippines flew 31 motoring Journalists and 40 dealers to Bangkok, Thailand, the general sentiment was we were attending a product reveal, a test drive and a factory tour. While some of the participants have “been there, done that”, I have to say that this trip for me was quite different. Different because unlike other such events, Mitsubishi Motors had arranged an actual product comparison against 4 other Japanese brands on a race track and let the participants fill in score cards regarding the quality and performance of each brand and model including theirs.

This for me is a first because the organizers had literally left themselves open to praise or disappointment. While Filipinos are generally polite especially when hosted abroad, Journalists have a job to do and they will do it. Even trickier nowadays is the presence of younger and more knowledgeable Journalists who will say what’s on their mind unmindful of the consequences. That could ruffle feathers and fray nerves, especially if expectations are not managed. On the other hand, it was certainly the best way of getting accurate information and impressions from people who understand the market best as well as impress upon the media and dealers what sets Mitsubishi apart from the rest.

Unlike other reveals or launch I’ve attended, this one took place at the racetrack where organizers lined up a couple of units of the Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Amaze, Nissan Almeera and the Toyota Vios. We then signed up to ride and/or drive the cars, which were all right-hand drive cars designed for Thailand. After each round we were asked to fill up our evaluation sheets for the respective vehicle in terms of exterior and interior styling, responsiveness, handling, cabin and trunk space, comfort etc. Without saying too much and pre-empting our motoring section in the process, I eventually realized that Mitsubishi Motors risked the independent comparisons because they were fully confident about the outcome. They had a product that leveled up to the competition and even beat some in several categories.

After the track tests, our group visited the Mitsubishi Motors factory in Laemchbang Industrial Estates outside Bangkok. Like many other such facilities, watching robotic arms welding parts to build a car was like being on the special effects booth of “Transformers”. As impressed as I was with the plant and its people, I felt sad remembering that a decade or so ago, manufacturing plants of other Japanese and American car makers were operating in the Philippines but several administrations succeeded in losing them due to over taxation, poor incentives and lousy investor care and management. Unless government gets out of the business of making money, the Philippines will never attract real business investments.

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And this is where I segue from cars to comparisons. Before flying out to Bangkok, I was in Manila during the Monday Mega Madness where drivers, commuters and pedestrians found themselves in gridlocks, flood etc. When I saw so many people wading in knee deep flood just to get to school, I wanted to suggest to Mayor Erap Estrada to consider the idea of having collapsible foot bridges that barangays can put up during floods so people can at least get around without having to wade or swim.

The problem with my remedial or “remedyo” solution is exactly that; it was remedial, cheap, temporary, all borne out of a mind set that in order for solutions to be accepted and implemented they have to be cheap and easy. Instead of investing on the correct and long-term solution, we generally view things short term.

This realization struck me one evening as I was walking on the “elevated skywalk” that is part of their train system and allows commuters and pedestrians to walk from one end across to the other end of the Bangkok business and shopping district. This elevated skywalk was at least 20 feet wide, tiled or constantly freshly painted, well lighted and safe. No one ever talks about criminality or the presence of snatchers or pickpockets in the skywalk, unlike they do about pedestrian bridges in the Philippines that are referred to as running a gauntlet in the pickpockets and snatchers paradise.

By building an elevated skywalk, people don’t have to fight their way through limited sidewalk space, dodge street vendors and their portable trays, they don’t have to spill out on to the streets and they don’t have to walk on the same level as cars and directly inhale exhaust fumes.

Access to the elevated skywalks are from sidewalks as well as Malls and commercial establishments where human traffic goes through. Aside from the elevated skywalk, illegal street vendors are not tolerated up until 7 pm when the rush hour pedestrian run has subsided.

I can already see some readers and government officials shaking their heads and saying that’s not possible in Metro Manila due to costs, electric lines, property issues etc., etc. That’s what they said about the many flyovers, underpasses, C-5, Skyway etc. In addition, unless we do a massive reconstruction of Metro Manila, there is no doubt in my mind that our problem with floods and traffic are surely going to get worse before we can even imagine them getting better.

By making comparisons, and applying what works or improving what’s on the ground, we can still fix our problems but it will require a radical approach both in engineering and investment. Radical innovation and political will was what propelled the change in Thailand and helped solve their pestering problems with floods and traffic. In fact they still have as much problems as we do, but in comparison, they solve the problems and not just talk about them.

“There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and what is lost by not trying” Francis Bacon.

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