CAGI officers visit Suzuki Philippines

Suzuki Philippines hosted the current officers of the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) last June 7, 2010, at their facilities in Bagong Ilog, Pasig City.   During the courtesy call, CAGI officers discussed their plans for this year’s Car of the Year (COTY) awards including the test venue, technical criteria, and  media support activities.  

In photo (L-R) are:  Bam Olivares, CAGI VP-internal affairs; Hisashi Sunaga, Suzuki general manager for automobile sales and marketing; Kris Lim, CAGI corporate secretary; Satoshi Uchida, Suzuki president; Ferman Lao, CAGI president;  and Bess Zamora, CAGI treasurer.

Motolite announces Facebook 370MOTO Hero winner

Motolite, the country’s leading automotive battery brand, has taken advantage of social media to promote awareness of its Express Delivery service.  370MOTO is a Facebook application where users can be a hero by saving friends from car battery trouble.

Launched April 15 to June 27, 2010, players in the Facebook 370MOTO Heroes game vied for hall of fame honors.  Each week two winners were awarded weekly, receiving gift certificates.  With each save, 370MOTO Heroes also increased their chance to win a Lenovo Ideapad, with Ms. Fritzie Carla Gomez emerging as the grand prize winner.

370MOTO (370-6686) is the Express Delivery hotline for Motolite’s 24/7 battery delivery service in Metro Manila.  Since there is no sign that one’s battery is about to conk out, busy professionals are often victimized with a dead battery at the most inconvenient time and/or place.  Motolite eases the experience with its 370MOTO, the country’s first door-to-door automotive battery delivery service.  

When actually availing of the Motolite Express Delivery Service, a service representative will ask you about your specific vehicle model and recommend the appropriate automotive battery, which is then delivered to your location in 30 to 45 minutes.  The service representative also takes care of removing the old battery and installing the new one as you just watch and wait in comfort.  Delivery and installation are absolutely free of charge; you just need to pay the cost of the new battery.  Major credit cards are accepted for convenient payment.

And for even greater value, Motolite not only takes away your old battery for proper disposal, it pays you for the privilege.  Under its Balik-Baterya program, any brand of used automotive battery may be traded in for cash discounts ranging from P100 to P670, depending on the specific battery model.  The customer not only receives the cash benefit but also contributes to helping rid the environment of potentially toxic materials from improperly discarded used batteries.

The Motolite Express Delivery service makes it truly hassle-free for you to replace your batteries.  By simply calling 370-MOTO (370-6686) for Metro Manila and the toll free number 1-800-10-370-6686 for key provincial areas, you can enjoy free battery delivery and installation.  The service is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and accepts cash or credit card payments.

Motolite is the leading brand of automotive batteries in the Philippines.  Its manufacturer, Philippine Batteries Inc. (PBI) is the largest manufacturer, exporter and distributor of automotive, industrial, solar and motorcycle battery products in the Philoppines.  The company exports more batteries than are sold in the domestic market, and Motolite batteries are found in the United States, Europe, Middle East, Australia and the rest of Asia.

Get better fuel efficiency with the Suzuki Alto

With gas prices taking us on a roller-coaster ride from week to week, getting the most miles from every drop of fuel has become a skill that drivers need to master.  In 2008, the word “hypermiling” was selected as the best new word of the year by the New Oxford American Dictionary, which defined this as “the attempt to maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to one’s vehicle and one’s driving techniques.”

Although hypermiling techniques are not recommended for street driving, the website www.gasbuddy.com lists the following fuel saving tips.  

Avoid high speeds.  Since aerodynamic drag increases with speed, driving at 60–80kph (or within the speed limit) can help reduce fuel consumption.  

Do not accelerate or brake hard.  Smooth driving that comes from paying attention to the road and anticipating traffic, and avoiding sudden acceleration or hard braking can help conserve fuel.

Keep tires properly inflated.  Make sure to follow the recommended tire pressure.  To know your vehicle’s correct tire pressure, always check the sticker on the driver’s door   One tire under-inflated by 2psi can result in a 1% increase in fuel consumption, depending on the load condition of  the vehicle.

Service vehicle regularly.  Observe the regular preventive maintenance to ensure clean air filters, new spark plugs and proper fluid levels.  Make sure to bring in your Suzuki Alto to an accredited Suzuki dealership/service center for the regular service check every 5,000km of use.

Avoid heavy loads.  Remove excess luggage and other items that you don’t need as the added weight can take a toll on your fuel efficiency.  

Purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle.  Of course, choosing the right car is probably the single most important decision that you can take to ensure good fuel economy.  The Suzuki Alto is a proven gas miser, having recorded an impressive  34-kilometers per liter in the Department of Energy’s Fuel Economy Run in 2008. 

Beyond Fuel Economy

One of the most popular compact cars worldwide, the Suzuki Alto is recognized for its fuel efficiency, stability and affordability.  Its compact dimensions make the Suzuki Alto an extremely nimble and agile vehicle, with its small 4.6m turning radius giving it a definite advantage in tight parking spaces. Safety features are not compromised, with 3-point ELR seatbelts, third brake light, and side impact beams. With thoughtful amenities that include an in-dash CD MP3 audio system, powerful airconditioning, a headlamp leveling device, front cupholders and a cargo cover.  Exterior features include multi-reflector halogen headlamps, multi-reflector taillights, and rear wiper-washer. The Suzuki Alto Deluxe variant also has electronic power steering, front power windows, power door locks, and color-keyed bumpers.

Possibly the most affordable Japanese brand sub-compact in the Philippine car market, the Suzuki Alto Deluxe and Standard come in superior white, dazzling red, and silky silver metallic colors.  The Suzuki Alto Deluxe is priced at P408,000 and the Suzuki Alto Standard is priced at P369,000.


1st DLS Philippines Open Competition tests car audio sound quality

TLS Marketing Corporation in partnership with DLS Audio of Sweden is staging the 1st DLS Philippines Open Competition on 17 July 2010, at the Tiendesitas Mall in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.  DLS Audio, the leading brand in car audio competition and show-off events, will be flying in Peter Flodqvist, an international EMMA (European Mobile Media Association) sound quality head judge.

Aside from showcasing the DLS Audio brand, the event also aims to train car audio enthusiasts, including car owners as well as car audio dealers and installers, on setting up competition-level car audio.

Focusing purely on Sound Quality (SQ), the 1st DLS Philippines Open Competition requires competitors to set up a standard installation package consisting of a JVC KDR-705 head unit paired with DLS amplifier CA-31, speakers RM6.2 and sub-woofer RW10.  

The DLS CA31 is a three-channel amplifier with a nominal output of 2 x 65 watts + 1 x 170 watts, making it the perfect amplifier for a standard installation with a front system in stereo and a subwoofer in the back.  It features built-in high-pass, low-pass and subsonic filters, and has variable phase control on sub-channel.  The DLS Reference RM6.2 is a new 6.5-inch two-way component with an incredible bass.  Incorporating a powerful magnet system, these speakers are designed to play lound while maintaining full control and good sound.  The speakers feature an aluminum cone and dual upper surround, complemented by 25mm silk dome tweeters.  Also part of the Reference series, the DLS RW10 is a new 10-inch subwoofer with a steel basket, polyproylene cone and 2-ohm voice coil.  The DLS Reference series speakers are designed to produce rich and powerful bass sound combined with crystal-clear treble and mid-range round, allowing listeners to enjoy the musical subtleties.

For the 1st DLS Philippines Open Competition, other audio electronic enhancers are not allowed.  Judging will be based on how well the installation overcomes the problems of vehicle acoustics and makes the music sound like the original without noise and distortion.  There will be two competition categories — the classic category with the standard DLS package and the ultimate category with any existing DLS set-up.  The top prize for the competition is a free trip for 2 to an Asian destination.  Consolation prizes are also up for grabs to deserving entries.

Since its establishment in 1979, DLS has focused on developing and producing in-car speakers for music lovers.  Over the years, they have won numerous awards for their speaker systems, and have been very successful in car audio championships not only in Europe but in the rest of the world.  The DLS Scandinavia Series earned the 2009-2010 EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) Award as Best Product for In-Car Speaker System.  

In the Philippines, DLS Audio products are exclusively distributed by TLS Marketing Corporation, and are sold through car audio dealers nationwide.  For more information, visit www.dlscaraudioph.multiply.com or “Like” the DLS Car Audio Philippines page on Facebook.

Suzuki pampers motorcycle dealers in Boracay

Mr. Norminio Mojica (Asst. General Manager - Admin & Finance), Mr. Eiji Kobayashi (General Manager - Motorcycle Sales & Marketing), Ms. Lyn Calderon (Managing Director), Mr. Paulino Ongtenco of Motortrade Group and Mr. Satoshi Uchida  (President)


Suzuki Philippines, the country’s only integrated motoring company, held its motorcycle dealers convention at the posh Boracay Regency Hotel last June 4-6, 2010.  Themed the “Suzuki Dealers’ Boracay Getaway,”  the convention combined both business and pleasure by giving 225 dealers two days of pampering in a luxury beach resort capped by an evening convention.

Delivering his dealer report, Suzuki Philippines president Satoshi Uchida remarked, “In the past year, I am pleased to inform you that we have been able to continuously grow and strengthen our business, and have been able to achieve the directions set by Suzuki Motor Corporation.”   He further noted that 2010 has taken off to a promising start for Suzuki Philippines, with May sales posting the highest year-to-date record.  Uchida also recognized the contributions of the company’s Filipino management team in strengthening Suzuki’s market presence.  

A highlight of the convention was the recognition of top performing Suzuki motorcycle dealers in various categories.  Motortrade Group of Companies was awarded the Top Dealer of the Year and was also the most outstanding dealer in the solo model category.  Second place in the Top 10 Dealer Awards went to Royce Motorcycle Trade Corporation, which also won the most outstanding dealer in the business model category.  Norkis Group of Companies placed third in the top dealer awards.  Other awardees included Royce Cabanatuan as the most outstanding 3S shop; and Eastern Luzon Motors & Trading Corporation as the most improved dealer.

The Boracay Getaway started out with a speed-boat shuttle to  Boracay Regency Hotel where Suzuki dealers were gifted with their beach kit containing Havaianas slippers, Beach Hut sunblock, alcogel, Suzuki shirts, buri hats, and a waterproof cellphone case.  Over the next two days, they were pampered to a Relax Station where they were treated to a free massage, henna tattoo, hair braiding, manicure and pedicure.  Water-sports activities awaited them the second day giving everyone a different kind of ride through parasailing, banana boat rides, jetskiing, fly fishing and island-hopping.  Beach games were also organized to test the dealers’ skills in the Thunder Challenge, Skydrive Frisbee, and Raider 5-ball Shoot-out giving the grand winner 25,000 cold cash. The singing prowess of the dealers also shone that night in the Suzuki Idol videoke contest judged by Suzuki executives with style and spice like American Idol. Guanzon Lo, president of the Guanzon Group of Companies bested all dealers and media contestants bringing home a trip for two to Hongkong as his prize. 

When asked what they thought of the Suzuki convention, both dealers and media remarked, It was a treat; the most relaxing convention we ever attended.”
Mr. Norminio Mojica (Asst. General Manager - Admin & Finance), Mr. Eiji Kobayashi (General Manager - Motorcycle Sales & Marketing), Ms. Lyn Calderon (Managing Director), Ms. May Rose Gallo & Mr. Antonio Chu of Royce Motorcycle Trade Corp. and Mr. Satoshi Uchida  (President)

Mr. Norminio Mojica (Asst. General Manager - Admin & Finance), Mr. Eiji Kobayashi (General Manager - Motorcycle Sales & Marketing), Ms. Lyn Calderon (Managing Director), Mr. Manuel Canilao & Mr. Eusebio Antonio of the Norkis Group of Companies and Mr. Satoshi Uchida  (President)

Philippine Economic Society Hosts Power Outlook Forum


The Power Outlook
A forum on the impending power crisis
1:30pm, Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Romulo Hall, G/F NEDA sa Makati Bldg., 
106 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

please call (02) 332 4005 / (02) 215 5367 for more details 
or send an email to pes.eaea@gmail.com

Fees:
PES Members - Free admission
Students (with School IDs) - Free admission
General Public - P1,000.00 inclusive of snacks

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Philippine Economic Society Hosts Power Outlook Forum

The Philippine Economic Society (PES) is hosting The Power Outlook: A Forum on the Impending Power Crisis from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Tuesday, 29 June 2010, at the Romulo Hall, NEDA Building, Amorsolo St., Makati City.

Under the EPIRA, the government is no longer supposed to put up power plants.  Private sector power generation companies are expected to supply new generation capacity, but there is a perception that private sector players are reluctant to commit to new investments.  The forum will try to address the following questions:  What are some of the perceived barriers to putting up additional capacity?  What is the actual supply and demand balance in the power sector?  What are some of the key issues on electricity pricing?  Is the country facing another impending power crisis in the short-  or medium-term?

Lined up as panelists are Commissioner Rauf Tan of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC); Dr. Alan Ortiz, former president and chief executive officer of Transco, Inc.; and Victor Santos, Jr., a senior vice president of First Gen Corporation.  The moderator will be Peter Wallace, president of The Wallace Business Forum.

Commenting on the current power situation, Dr. Ortiz notes: “Mindanao will continue to suffer shortfalls in power supply in the next three years until new capacity is brought onstream thru private sector investment.  The Visayas will have a brief respite next year when 400 new megawatts of electricity become commercially available.  But this new capacity will not last long as demand for power surges in Cebu and elsewhere.  Luzon will enter supply demand equilibrium next year, resulting in intermittent brownouts until new supply comes in by 2012.  The real challenge is to build new capacity in the next five years to address surging demand.”

Further, he points out that the situation is not hopeless if we act immediately to close the supply gap. At this point, only the private sector can provide the much-needed financing for about 8,000 new megawatts in Luzon alone.  At US$1.6 million per megawatt, this amounts to about US$12.8 billion or  602-billion pesos. With a budget deficit of  300-billion pesos, it is hard to imagine where government can raise the funds for Luzon's new power requirements alone.”

“And government shouldn’t,” adds Peter Wallace.  “One of our goals in this power forum is to arouse interest within the private sector in building power plants.  And for companies to be aware of what to expect if this doesn’t happen”.

The Philippine Economic Society (PES) is the professional organization of Filipino economists and, over the years, has served as one of the strongest networks of economists in the academe, government and business sector.  The PES continuously provides a venue for open and free discussions on a wide range of policy issues through its conferences and symposia. 

The Power Outlook forum is supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), which is dedicated to the belief that a functioning democracy needs politically informed and educated citizens.  The FNF promotes individual freedom and liberalism.

Attendance to The Power Outlook forum is open to the public for a minimal registration fee.  Registration is free for PES members and qualified students.  As seats are limited, interested participants are requested to pre-register with the PES Secretariat (email:  pes.eaea@gmail.com or telefax 332 4005).


Motolite volunteers undertake Brigada Eskwela Plus Caravan

Motolite, the country’s leading automotive battery brand, once again demonstrated their strong education advocacy by fielding employee-volunteers for the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela program from May 24-29, 2010.

Motolite’s Brigada Eskwela efforts were focused on a Balik-Baterya adopted school, Payatas Elementary School, located in one of the most depressed urban areas in Quezon City. Contributing a total of 85 man-hours, Motolite volunteers cleaned up and refurbished two  classrooms, fixed up 103 desks and armchairs, and covered 115 Balik-Baterya donated books.

Near its manufacturing facilities in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Motolite also adopted three schools — Miguel Cruz Elementary School, Jose Juan Serapio Elementary School, and Balasing Elementary School.  A total of 174 employee man-hours contributed to repainting 62 classrooms and cleaning up 6 garden lots and school grounds.

Since 2007, Motolite and its mother company, the Ramcar Group, have supported the Brigada Eskwela Plus, which encourages national community involvement in education initiatives that focus on: (1) year-round school maintenance activities; (2) improvement of student participation and reduction of drop-outs; and (3) improvement of student performance. 

Through its Balik Baterya-LEAP program, Motolite has spearheaded the donation of workbooks, reference and instructional materials to Payatas Elementary School, benefiting more than 3,000 students.

According to corporate social responsibility manager Eman Ragaza, “Motolite believes that we have a corporate social responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society.  We are passionate in finding new ways of enhancing our business and building our nation for a better life, and we would like to give back to our communities by helping improve the quality of education of the Filipino youth.”

Motolite batteries are manufactured by Philippine Batteries, Inc. (PBI), the largest manufacturer, exporter and distributor of automotive, motorcycle and industrial battery products and solutions in the Philippines.  Its fully integrated facility in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, is one of the largest and most modern battery manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asia. It also has the country’s only ISO 14001-certified, environmentally-compliant recycling facility, the second biggest in Asia.  The company exports Motolite batteries to the United States, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the rest of Asia.

Suzuki Thunder 125 delivers big bike feel and superb fuel efficiency

A trendsetting backbone city-sports bike introduced in the Asean market in mid 2009, the Suzuki Thunder 125 has created a buzz among motorcycle enthusiasts as a small bike that delivers a big bike feel.  Positioned to be a strategic, class-leading model for the region, the Suzuki Thunder 125 is carving out a niche as a backbone city-sports bike, combining the sportiness of a street bike with the durability and comfort of a backbone motorcycle.

Its 125cc engine delivers superb fuel economy courtesy of a patented PAIR (pulsed secondary air injection) system that ensures a well-balanced combination of torque and power, as well as environment-friendly and fuel-efficient performance.  

Defined as an urban champion, the new Suzuki Thunder 125 is geared for unparalleled street action.  A comfortable riding position ensures optimum handling stability and maneuverability for congested urban streets.

The new Suzuki Thunder 125 is designed for solo street riding.  Larger than a standard bike, the Suzuki Thunder 125 is the ideal ride for experienced riders who are looking for something new and exciting, standing out from other motorcycle models in the market.  “A small bike with a big bike feel” is how enthusiasts describe the Suzuki Thunder 125, whose target market is experienced male riders in their mid-30s who wish to level-up their daily ride.  With its relatively larger size, this street bike is best-suited to experienced riders who are capable of handling the Suzuki Thunder. 

In motorcycle markets all over Asia, backbone recreation models and sporty street bikes are the hottest and latest trends.  Top-of-the-line features, sporty styling in a backbone chassis, and a high-torque 125cc engine all combine to make the Suzuki Thunder the epitome of a backbone city-sports bike.

Giving the Suzuki Thunder that extra edge are superlative features such as the passing light as well as on and off engine safety switch common to all Suzuki big bike models, integrated lower engine cowling, dynamic speedometer with gear indicator, lightweight alloy wheels, sporty muffler, electric/kick starter, and dependable front disc brake.  The Suzuki Thunder is the perfect machine for city streets, where riding is an everyday adventure for motorcycle users in the urban setting.

Suzuki Bida Ang Toda campaign reaches out to tricycle drivers

On another note, Suzuki president Satoshi Uchida also announced that with the warm acceptance of the  “Suzuki Mola Bira, Bida ang Toda” campaign among tricycle drivers and operators last year, the company will be going on another roadshow in partnership with its provincial dealers.

During the three-day campaign, tricycle drivers and operators are treated to a fiesta-like celebration which includes a stunt show, fun games, trike-khana challenge, a talent contest dubbed as Talentadong TODA, as well as a safety riding and preventive maintenance seminar.  

Suzuki owners get free engine oil plus snacks and give-aways when they avail of the service campaign which includes free oil change and service check-up.  Several test units of the Suzuki Mola 150 and Suzuki Mola 125 are also available for test rides.

According to Suzuki president Satoshi Uchida, “Because tricycles are the most common means of public transportation, especially in the provincial areas, we would like to reach out to tricycle drivers and operators 

Prepare your Suzuki APV Type II for rainy day driving

After suffering through an extremely hot El NiƱo summer, PAGASA is warning about the onset of the rainy season which is expected to peak in July and August, with at least 10 tropical cyclones entering the country between June and September.

Motoring advise columns list some basic precautions to prepare for rainy day driving, and one of the most basic is to check and replace the front and rear wiper blades of your Suzuki APV Type II.  Old or brittle wiper blades may leave streaks on or even scratch your windshield, seriously limiting visibility during bad weather.  Don’t wait for the rains to start, do a quick wiper check now by turning on your windshield washer and note any streaking, chattering or other obvious problems with your front and rear wipers. Furthermore, the Suzuki APV Type II is equipped with a rear windshield defogger, for improved visibility in extreme weather conditions.

Another basic precaution you can take is to check the condition of the tires on your Suzuki APV Type II. Check that the tire treads are deep enough for good traction.  Bald tires can result in hydroplaning, especially at higher speeds.  Of course, you also need to make sure that your spare tire is properly inflated with the correct tire pressure and ready for use in case of emergencies.

It is also wise to have your brakes checked as you are more likely to need them in bad weather.  The Suzuki APV Type II is equipped with responsive ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes to ensure that you have a safer, more secure ride.  

Road safety experts also recommend turning on your headlights when driving in heavy rains.  In addition to better driver visibility, this also automatically activates the tail lights, making your car more visible to other vehicles behind you.  Never use your hazard lights as these can confuse the cars following you about where you’re going.  The high position of the head and tail lights on the Suzuki APV Type II also ensure better all-around visibility.

You can also consider putting together a roadside emergency kit with essential items to deal with most problem situations on the road.  You can prepare a heavy duty nylon bag containing: 12-foot jumper cables, reflector jacket, blinker lights, a quart of motor oil, blanket, extra fuses, flashlight and extra batteries, screwdriver set (flat head and Philips), pliers, vise grips, adjustable wrench, tire inflator, tire pressure gauge, rags, paper towel roll, duct tape roll, pocket knife, pen and paper, help sign, energy bars and bottled water.  In addition, you will need a first aid kit including bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic cream, instant hot and cold compresses, scissors and aspirin. With the Suzuki APV Type II’s spacious cabin, there is plenty of room to store your basic survival kit.  However, make sure that you stick to the basic essentials and do not overload your vehicle.

Of course, the best precaution that you can take to ensure safe travel through heavy rains and flooded streets is driving the right vehicle, such as the Suzuki APV Type II.  Its air intake is strategically located above the engine, almost at hood level.  This means that the Suzuki APV Type II can safely navigate flooded streets since its engine is protected from sucking in water.  This makes the Suzuki APV Type II the perfect “baha-buster” that can be relied on even in the worst weather conditions.    With minimum ground clearance of 185mm, the Suzuki APV Type II can safely navigate even knee-high flooded areas.   

The Suzuki APV Type II comes in three variants—the GLX 5-speed MT model, priced at P735,000; the SGX 5-speed MT at P775,000; and the SGX 4-speed AT at P810,000.

Suzuki Philippines is the only integrated automotive company in the country, offering passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles in its model line-up. Suzuki automobiles are available through a network of 18 dealers nationwide.