2014- 2015 MOTORING MEDIA PICKS AUTO INDUSTRY’S BEST

When a select panel of motoring media professionals and practitioners gets tasked to vote on what they individually believe are the auto industry’s best, at times they collectively prove that they can be especially meticulous and fastidious about their selections. Such was apparently the case when they congregated last Saturday, October 11, 2014 at a private function room of the Valle Verde Country Club for special annual poll for the “2014-2015 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards.” After the subsequent count on which concurrent car models are best in design, engine performance, safety features and value-for-money in their respective standard and luxury classifications, clear winners emerged in only 21 of the 84 AFMCA awards on tap.

 

“The AFMCA standards and criteria are quite stringent in the first place.” as explained by Gerry Aquino, the Awards Committee Chairman of both the AFMCA and its associated merit program, the “2014-2015 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards” (AFPCA). Both the AFPCA and AFMCA are organized annually by Sunshine Television (STV).Added Aquino: “The People’s Choice Awards is about the general popularity of and preferences for specific car brands and models in the market. An AFPCA win is determined by top scores based on a combination of unit sales and people’s votes. With the AFMCA however, a top vote doesn’t necessarily equate to a win. To earn a Media’s Choice award, a particular model must receive at least 51% or more the total votes cast in that model’s specific performance category. It can be no less than a majority win. Primarily, this strict rule accounts for the fact that in 63 performance categories, no winners could be declared.”

 

The distinct purpose of AFMCA is to further recognize the automobile industry’s continuing efforts to provide car owners and motorists with the best on-board features, styling, performance and overall value. As one motoring media pundit put it: “It would be ideal if you had all the desirable features and performance in one model, but that’s hardly the case. However, if a prospect is looking at individual characteristics like engine performance or safety features, then our opinions as to which models have the best of these could help car buyers weigh and balance the pros and cons more knowingly before making a final decision to buy a particular model over similar ones.”

 

The AFMCA candidates pool consisted of the same 140+ makes and models in the Official Entry List of the 2014-2015 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards, sub-divided into the same 21 model classifications Applied against 4 designated award categories (Design, Engine Performance, Safety Features, and Value-for-Money), a total of 84 AFMCA awards were on offer.

 

The results of the media poll were recently announced along with the winners of the “2014-2015 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards” (AFPCA) at ceremonies held at The Venue, Prism Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, on Thursday, November 6, 2014.

 

In the Standard Model Category, there were 10 awardees out of 44 available awards with 3 models coming away with multiple awards:

 

MAZDA 3: Best Design and Best Engine Performance (compact)

FORD EXPLORER: Best Safety Features and Best Value-for-Money (Large SUV)

FORD RANGER: Best Design and Best Safety Features (Pickup)

MAZDA 6: Best Value-for-Money (Midsize Sedan)

FORD MUSTANG: Best Engine Performance (Sports Car)

VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN: Best Safety Features (Multi-purpose Vehicle/MPV)

HYUNDAI GRAND STAREX: Best Design (Van)

 

In the Luxury Model Category, there were 11 awardees out of 40 available awards with a BMW model almost sweeping all 4 awards in its classification:

 

BMW X1: Best Design, Best Engine Performance and Best Value-for-Money (Luxury Open)

BMW X5: Best Design and Best Engine Performance (Luxury Midsize SUV)

HONDA ODYSSEY: Best Engine Performance and Best Safety Features (Luxury Van)

VOLVO V40: Best Safety Features (Luxury Subcompact)

VOLVO XC60: Best Safety Features (Luxury Compact SUV)

LEXUS LS460 L: Best Value-for-Money (Luxury Large Sedan)

 

As pointed out by STV Chairman/CEO Mr. Ray Butch Gamboa: “AFMCA honors emanate from the calculated, learned choices made by motoring media colleagues based on actual test drives, close-up experience and a more intimate knowledge of the finer points of an automobile. If I may add, this, as well as the majority criteria, gives real and added value to landing a Media’s Choice award. It means each awardee does or has something better than its counterpart models as seems to be the case with the 21 clear-cut AFMCA winners. However, in many of the 63 performance categories where no winner could be proclaimed, parity was the prevalent reason and therefore all models in these classifications deserve a look from car buyers.”

TOYOTA VIOS and LEXUS IS350 TOP AFPCA AWARDS

2014-2015 AUTO FOCUS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

 

The Philippine automotive market’s best-selling standard and luxury models, the Toyota Vios subcompact and the Lexus IS350 luxury compact sedan, garnered the coveted “Automobile of the Year” title in their respective categories at the Awards Night of the “2014-2015 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards” (AFPCA) held last Thursday, November 6, 2014 at The Venue of the SM Mall of Asia. The Vios has now won the top award 3 years in a row and is thus being considered for entry in the AFPCA Hall of Fame. The IS350 took maiden top honors in the luxury model category after it was decided by the organizers, Sunshine Television (STV), that separate “Automobile of the Year” awards would be conferred to standard and luxury type models for the first time effective with the 2014 edition of the AFPCA.

 

The AFPCA, which is now on its 10^th year, is a nationwide public poll to determine the country’s most popular automobile brands and models. The public poll ran from July 1-September 30, 2014. As in the previous year, the unique selection process involved the incorporation of poll results with unit sales to yield a final overall score for each of over 140 models in the Official Entry List. Official sales volume data for the AFPCA was furnished by Stradcom Corporation with the consent of, and upon the request by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The data covered only “Completely built” and “New imported” units that were put in for new registration with the LTO from January-September 2014. “Used imported” and grey market vehicles were excluded.

 

In the AFPCA scoring system, unit sales carried a 60% weight factor, while votes from the 3-month on-line poll on a popular social networking site were subject to a 40% weight. The combined tally of both constituted the consolidated total score from which the rankings in 21 (11 Standard & 10 Luxury) individual Model of the Year and the separate Automobile of the Year categories emerged. With January-September 2014 sales of well over 19,000 units and a consolidated score of 11,760 points, the Toyota Vios vaulted atop the Standard Model category, while the Lexus IS350 top-scored with 308.4 overall points and sales of 166 units in the Luxury Model classification.

 

Ray Butch Gamboa, STV Chairman/CEO expressed satisfaction with the 2014-2015 AFPCA roster of awardees which he cited as “a rightful reflection of what models we normally see on the road day to day.” He added: “However, the one important improvement we believed was on order beginning this year was the designation of separate and individual “Automobile of the Year” awards for Standard versus Luxury models. In the interest of equanimity and a more level playing field, we had to set these model categories apart especially with unit sales now being integral to the selection process. This allows the AFPCA to become a more equitable merit program that levels out the wide disparity between low volume top end cars and high volume lower priced models. Unlike before, the high-priced automobiles stood at a disadvantage for the prized “Automobile of the Year” award given their understandably lower sales off-take. With Standard and Luxury distinctions already in place in the Model of the Year categories, it made complete sense to extend this all the way to the top. With separate “Automobile of the Year” awards for the Standard and Luxury classifications, industry players get credit and honor where it is due and appropriate. That makes it fair for all players in the industry.”

 

The Standard Category awards were dominated by Toyota Motor Corporation Philippines (TMCP) which wrapped up 8 of the 11 “Model of the Year” titles: Vios (Subcompact); Corolla Altis (Compact Sedan); Camry (Midsize Sedan); Toyota 86 (Sports Car); Innova (Multi-purpose Vehicle/MPV); Fortuner (Midsize SUV); HiLux (Pick-up) and HiAce (Van).

 

Ford Philippines bagged 2: EcoSport (Compact SUV) and Explorer (Large SUV), while Motor Image Pilipinas copped Open Category honors with their Subaru XV.

 

The Model of the Year – Luxury Category race saw Lexus Manila carry off 5 awards: IS350 (Luxury Compact); ES350 (Luxury Midsize Sedan); LS460 L (Luxury Large Sedan); RX350 (Luxury Compact SUV) and LX570 (Luxury Large SUV). Asian Carmakers Corporation landed 2: BMW X5 (Luxury Midsize SUV) and BMW X1 (Luxury Open). TMCP took Luxury Van honors with the Toyota Alphard while British United Automobiles’ Mini Cooper brought home the Luxury Subcompact award. PGA Cars, Inc. won with the Porsche 911 (Luxury Sports Car).

 

As part of his address, STV’s Gamboa reiterated: “The AFPCA is a merit component that the industry and the motoring public has looked forward to for 10 years now. It allows the voice and preferences of car owners’ and car buyers’ to be expressed and heard by the automobile manufacturers and distributors who in turn can use such feedback as a gauge for offering the best products and services to their customers. It’s a win-win for both. And we at STV have always been delighted to be in the middle of it. We congratulate the winners, and here’s good luck again to all when the 11^th year comes along.”

 

Hyundai launch a solution to traffic

Nobody seems to have the solution to traffic. But Hyundai have come pretty damn close. Meet the new Grand Starex.

Aside from the captain’s chairs, which look like they were plucked out of a private plane, nestled between the driver and the 2^nd row is a 22-inch LCD Video Monitor that retracts into a Multimedia In-dash Console System. Plus it comes with a high-fidelity surround sound system transforms the Grand Starex into a personal mobile Home Theater.

Traffic? Bring it on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Starex CRDi VGT GLS A/T Gold (with Premium package) – PhP 2,368,000.00

Grand Starex CRDi VGT GLS AT Gold (with Platinum package) – PhP 2,588,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOTON’S BIG SHOW IS BACK!

Last weekend it was Chevy Motorama, this week, it’s Foton’s turn in the spotlight as they launch their biggest ever event, aptly called: The Big Show

The BIG SHOW started as a “Palitan Fest” in 2010. The objective was for clients to visit the event and pick a brand new FOTON and possibly trade –in his old vehicle. This event evolved into what is now known as the FOTON’s BIG SHOW – the biggest and exclusive showcase of FOTON’s vehicle line-up from Passenger Vehicles, Light Duty Trucks, Heavy Duty Trucks and Heavy Machineries.

The past years’ Big Shows have been witness to FOTON’s launch of various new vehicles and services, and this year is no exception.  With its theme of Empower Your Business, which also happens to be the brands tagline, six new commercial vehicles will be launched this year including three vehicles powered by Cummins engines, the world leader among diesel engine manufacturers.

FOTON’s Big Show 2014 offers amazing discounts and freebies for those who want to purchase a FOTON.  Truly a perfect time to get that service vehicle no matter what business or industry you are in.   With the support of major banks and leasing companies, one can apply for a financing application onsite…and possibly even get that approval on the same day! Talk about getting empowered!

It is that time of the year again when FOTON give’s the Filipino entrepreneurs that chance to get that workhorse they need with amazing discounts and freebies, flexible financing schemes, and even a service bundle giving you free PMS up to 10,000kms.  FOTON surely is trying to get everything covered from your sales and aftersales needs.

FOTON’s Big Show 2014 will also showcase a Heavy Duty Exhibition which includes a dancing wheel loader and other heavy machineries “on the job”.  Now that’s something to look forward to, not just by the business-minded, but also for the rest of the family looking to see something new and exciting.  An actual wheel loader dancing, jumping, and grooving to the music.

FOTON has one of the most extensive line-up of commercial vehicles in the market today.  Their passenger vehicles include the Cummins powered Thunder Pick-up and the extremely large and comfortable View Traveller; the FOTON Tornado Series comprises the versatile light duty trucks which we have seen customized to different bodies, depending on the needs of the business; the FOTON ETX Series for the heavy duty trucks are perfect for hauling and contruction; last, but definitely not the least, are the FOTON Heavy Machineries, earth-moving equipment that’s big on reliability and efficiency.

Visit the FOTON’s Big Show on October 17 to 19, 2014 from 10am to 7pm at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.  Take advantage of its exclusive deals available such as high appraisal trade-in for your old vehicles in exchange for a new FOTON vehicle, plus big discounts, gifts, prizes, and flexible financing schemes from your preferred banks.

To know more about FOTON Vehicles, visit any of the 22 FOTON dealerships all over the Philippines, or call (02) 459-2121 or 0999-9999998. You may also visit their website at  www.foton.com.ph.

Audi Motorcars Responds to “Lemon Law” Complaint

In light of a recent complaint filed by retired Air Force colonel Ricardo L. Nolasco regarding an allegedly defective Audi A6 TDI he purchased last May 30, 2014, Audi Motorcars emphasized that Republic Act No. 10642 – otherwise known as “The Philippine Lemon Law” – is completely not applicable in this case. “In the first place, the car is not defective; the Lemon Law protects consumers against ‘lemons’, or substandard cars. The vehicle is most assuredly not a lemon,” stressed Lito Jose, Sales and Marketing Director of Audi Motorcars, Inc. “Audi is one of the leading and most respected luxury automotive brands in the world, and we make sure to uphold this proud heritage in the Philippines,” he added.

It was confirmed that the Audi A6 TDI was given full clearance to be released last September 2, 2014 after passing comprehensive diagnostic testing, but the owner has thus declined to retreive his vehicle, have it delivered, or even test-drive it.

“Based on our records and probably that of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), it is Mr. Reynaldo Anonuevo who is the registered owner of the vehicle, thus we are doubly perplexed why it is Mr. Nolasco who filed this misplaced complaint, and not Mr. Anonuevo,” Jose emphasized. “Nevertheless, we are committed to provide the best after-sales service within our abilities”.

While the vehicle was indeed brought in for servicing, Jose clarified that these involved minor issues and were readily resolved. “There are absolutely no more concerns, and any capable mechanic will attest that it is in perfect running condition,” he noted. “In fact, one of the owner’s first complaints was that the CD player was supposedly defective. We found out that there was nothing wrong with the player, but the pirated CD he inserted could not be read”.

At present, the vehicle still remains unclaimed in the Audi Service Center along EDSA. “Frankly, we are at a loss why he filed this complaint, when the vehicle has been sitting here for over a month now, ready for retrieval,” Jose stated. “He has an Audi here that is as good as new, ready to be driven at any time,” he concluded []

 

The search for the country’s fastest karter ends in paradise

The race to paradise is on. And to launch it, members of the online media were invited to an endurance style race to kick things off.

Held at the newly opened outdoor kart track opened in Circuit Makati, this wheel-to-wheel battle christened the search for the country’s fastest karters in a race to Boracay.

In typical City Kart fashion, teams were formed by placing the fastest drivers with the slowest ones, to give every one an equal chance at the podium. Each driver is required to complete at least two racing laps and go out twice, which means everyone needs to pull their weight.  It’s a very balanced format that keeps racing fair for the newbies as they don’t feel so intimidated by the experienced drivers as they just need to be the fastest of the slowest drivers.

This is not the format that will be used to search for the fastest drivers, but just a way of introducing karting to some of the less-expereinced lifestyle bloggers.

So, if you think you have what it takes to be crowned the fastest krater in the country without spending the equivalent of a PDAF budget to prove it, register for the race to Boracay at CityKart Racing. After registration, each participant will be given 5 Qualifying Heat sessions of 10 minutes each in City Kart Racing Makati. These heats can be done between Octobe​r 23rd to Nove​mber 14th, any day except Saturday and Sunday afternoon. To be completely fair, Kart numbers will be “drawn”.

• The best laptime of each driver will serve as Qualifying time to access the Pre-final.
• The Pre-final will see the top 200 drivers from Qualifying compete for the best laptime.
• The Finale will see the top 50 drivers from the Pre-final compete for the best laptime.
• The Grand Finale will be a 20 lap wheel-to-wheel race of the top 10 drivers from the Finale.

The registration to this event will start Octob​er 10 at 11am in our Race Office Reception. Information at 0917 455​1060. Registration Fee: P3,900.00. 

Nissan recognises top performers

After being recognized by JD Power Asia Pacific’s 2014 Philippine Customer Service Index (CSI) study by garnering top marks in Customer Satisfaction with Aftersales Service among new vehicle owners, NPI continues to develop and carryout programs that increase the service reliability and competency of its Aftersales workforce.

With the aim to showcase the technical know-how and hands-on ability of Nissan Technicians and the customer relations management of Service Advisors, the 2014 NISTEC and NISAC National Competition aims to lift up the quality of service delivery standards of the whole Aftersales team for the benefit of Nissan customers.

“NISTEC-NISAC is a competition done globally in all countries where Nissan operates. It has been Nissan Motor Co. Limited’s program for more than 20 years,” said Mr. Antonio Zara, President and Managing Director of NPI. “Part of the JD Power criteria involves the competences of the Service Technicians and Service Advisors in achieving the over-all satisfaction of the customers. With this competition, we at NPI, aim to further improve the skills and capabilities of our Service Technicians and Service Advisors. We also want to encourage them to give the best kind of service our Nissan customers deserve,” Mr. Zara added.

Nissan now has a total of 217 Service Technicians and 59 Service Advisors nationwide. Through a series of rigorous sets of examinations in the pre-qualifying round, 12 finalists emerged as the strong contenders for the final competition. The six Service Technician and six Service advisor finalists were certified by Nissan Sales Technician Education Program (N-STEP) Nissan Sales Advisor Education Program (N-SAP) respectively.

In order to assess their skills, the NISTEC finalists underwent three rounds of practical exercises: Engine Diagnosis, Electrical Diagnosis and Repair, and Chassis Maintenance and Trouble Shooting; while the NISAC finalists were tested through a series of role plays for Receiving Process, Repair Authorization, and Delivery Process.

Mr. Ariel Lobrido of Nissan Bacolod proved that he is the Service Technician with the highest level of technical knowledge bagging the title of the Top Performer for NISTEC category. Mr. Lobrido started out as an on-the-job trainee in 2003 and has been with Nissan Bacolod ever since. “I am very happy with Nissan and I am thankful to always have the support of our management. I am also grateful for Nissan have provided me with helpful trainings and seminars to enhance our technical knowledge and skills required in our field,” said Mr. Lobrido.

Meanwhile, Nissan North EDSA’s Aldrin Mendez catered the best service experience, making him the top Service Advisor. Mr. Mendez has been with Nissan for 11 years, working with three service centers including Nissan Middle East for two years. “Being a service advisor is a challenging task but I found my passion in what I do. In Nissan, this is where I experienced growth and where my career flourished and I am very thankful for that,” Mr. Mendez added.

 

EV group pushes electric bicycle sharing scheme

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) has announced that they are pushing for the implementation of electric bicycle (EBike) sharing programs in the Philippines. Under the program, EVAP will tie-up with EBike manufacturers-partners which will then be made available for rent at various stations for leasing to the public at a reasonable rate for a fixed period of time.
EVAP President Rommel Juan revealed that the China Bicycle Association recently visited the Philippines and has agreed to make EVAP its Philippine partner for this program. “It is for this purpose that early this month, I will attend the Asian Bicycle Alliance Conference in China to chart out the direction for EBike friendly cities in Asia and the Pacific. Among this will be the proper implementation of EBike sharing schemes”.

“We have talked to several cities and private community developers who have expressed interest in the EBike Sharing programs and in the implementation of EBike-friendly initiatives in their areas”, said newly-appointed EVAP Executive Director Atty. Bodie Pulido.
He explains that what EVAP plans to do to jumpstart the program is to link up with the proper institutions in the supply chain such as international EBike manufacturers and promote the use of EBikes to local users to make this project come true. “We really see the need to educate the users on the virtues of the EBike sharing, that it is just like using a regular bicycle but minus the strenuous pedalling. But of course, if you run out of battery power, you can always instantly shift back to pedal power”.

Juan says that EVAP is now in the lookout for an area where they will pilot test this scheme before a nationwide rollout. “If you have noticed, the MMDA is now implementing several Bike Sharing programs in Manila using regular bicycles and that is a very good start. We can learn from their experience.

As for EBike sharing schemes, these have been very successful in many parts of the world, such as the the Motit bike sharing scheme in Barcelona, Spain”.

To further push the project, EVAP is organizing a Green EV Transport Mission to China to learn more about bike-friendly cities and bike sharing programs which can be implemented in the country. This will be from October 19 to 24, 2014 and interested parties are welcome to join. For more details, please contact the EVAP secretariat at (02)9307003 or 09239432073 and look for Lani Labrador or email secretariat.evap@gmail.com.

Filipino technician wins regional service olympics

Chevrolet Philippines has done their customers and their country proud by besting service technicians from all around the region in the annual ‘ASEAN Best of the Best’ competition.

This third staging of the annual event promotes dealer service skills development while raising quality benchmarks from across the region with the goal of providing the customer the best customer service and satisfaction in the industry.

The most talented and skilled service technicians were sent to Chiang Mai from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, where they were evaluated in various tests, including written, practical applications, pictorial and video questions, measurement tools skill testing and vehicle diagnostics. The latter category required the service tehttp://jamesdeakin.ph/wp-admin/post-new.php#chnician to systematically solve a simulated vehicle problem in accordance with GM standards.

After the dust settled, the cream of the crop rose to the top and winning first place was Ricky Manaois from Chevrolet Philippines, Aekkaluck Prasitdechakul from Auto Technic Thailand (Chevrolet New Petchaburi) winning second while the third place went to Jose Custodio, also from Chevrolet Philippines.

“The tests and sessions were challenging. They were really designed to get the best out of us. I am happy to have made it here and to go back with the win. It has been an invaluable experience and I look forward to sharing what I have learned with my colleagues in Philippines,” said Manaois.

“Our coaches pushed us hard and today, I understand why. Without the quality training, I would not have made it. I believe we can bring after sales and customer care functions to new levels of quality to assure customer satisfaction,” added Prasitdechakul.

Going through the Chevrolet Academy, Chevrolet Philippine’s learning and development arm, these service technicians have been armed with the proper skills and training to best serve each Chevrolet customer in the Philippines.  The dedication of these service technicians to the craft has, in turn, allowed them to succeed over their ASEAN counterparts.

In their continued pursuit of excellence in customer service and satisfaction, Chevrolet Philippines has pledged to continue their efforts in ensuring the competency and expertise of the technicians are indeed the “Best of the Best.”