Ford, Toyota, Honda up ante
FGP TEAM brings the 2011 North American Truck of the Year to the Philippines. From left are Minnie Valencia, Dave Macasadia, Randy Krieger, Dino Obias and Anika Salceda Wycoco. TESSA SALAZAR
It may be too early to make jingling noises, but carmakers are doing it anyway, if only to break the dry spell the past few months have brought (in sales, but certainly not the weather).
After doing its own fuel run for the Fiesta, Ford Group Philippines unveiled Thursday night at the posh Rockwell Tent its all-new fully reinvented Ford Explorer in the Philippines.
The new Explorer offers better fuel economy—by over 20 percent versus the previous one—thanks to an all-new powertrain that offers multiple enhancements that improve mechanical efficiency. Its V6 engine enables the Intelligent 4-wheel drive with an advanced Terrain Management System. These enhancements help the new Explorer surpass other vehicles in its segment in terms of fuel economy.
The “completely reinvented” Explorer comes standard with a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). Its six-speed transmission is touted to deliver high-performance and engaging driving dynamics.
On top of that, the new Explorer offers the industry exclusive MyFord Touch (which features two cluster-mounted configurable displays and an 8-inch color LCD Touchscreen, paired and powered with Ford SYNC).
The bold styling, sporty SUV design, and a high level of craftsmanship and quality are seen to lure SUV buyers. Now available, it is competitively priced at P2.350 million.
With the FGP team and dealer principals in attendance, Ford Philippines president Randy Krieger announced to the motoring media: “SUV customers—and Explorer customers specifically—told us they want freedom and empowerment Explorer always has stood for.” Now they can have the most of both.
A caravan of discounts
Buying a car is celebratory and according to Lexus Manila president Danny Isla, if car buyers don’t see a reason to celebrate, then nothing can make them sign that checkbook to buy a car.
With that in mind, Toyota Motor Philippines propped up a tent just beside sister company Lexus Manila’s head office to relaunch Toyota Caravan at the Bonifacio Global City.
The Caravan offers on-the-spot buyers as much as P230,000 worth of discounts, while customers who reserve a new Toyota can get up to P100,000 in discounts. Up to P50,000 discounts are also given to customers who test-drive or trade in their car for a brand-new Toyota unit, or P25,000 off for loyal Toyota owners.
Buyers can also get P5,000 gas cards if they course their purchases through Toyota Financial Services. Toyota vehicles offered in the Caravan include the new Fortuner, Innova and the SE Limited Vios with 15-inch TRD wheels and mesh grille.
The Caravan lasts up to Wednesday.
Blue skies fuel efficiency
In its drive to keep the skies blue for future generations, the Honda Foundation recently conducted an eco-safety driving seminar for fleet operators. The seminar is all in keeping with the foundation’s intensified efforts in its clean fleet management advocacy and raising awareness levels on the importance of fuel efficiency and safe driving.
Under combined city and highway driving conditions, Gary Berba and Mike Bustos of Globe Telecom posted an average of 20.29 kilometers per liter on the 1.5 City. Neil Edwin Pagalilauan and Jose Benjamin Tomelden from the Office of the President got 18.47 kpL with the 1.3 Jazz, Joji Ubas and Benedict Buenvenida of Globe and Manila Water ran 16.97 kpL using the 1.3 City. The team of Florante Malaluan and Gerald Saludez of Maynilad got 16.70 kpL using the 1.8 Civic.
“Faced with finite fuel resources, high fuel prices and worsening air quality, we must put our efforts together and act immediately before it’s too late,” said Voltaire Gonzales, Honda Cars Philippines head of vehicle sales and corporate communication.
Gonzales added that since 1996, HCPI has pioneered in providing fuel efficiency awareness through Honda Challenge Cup.
