I RECENTLY drove the SsangYong Rodius from Manila to Baguio and back for two reasons. One, I was challenged by persistent reports that it is a good ride and possessed of superior quality.
Second, how can I say no to Dave Macasadia, one of the finest, most decent guys in the industry?
Needless to say, I was more than surprised at this magnificent marvel of motoring creation. Not only is the nine-seater Rodius one of the most comfortable sport-utility vehicles I’ve ever driven, but this lovable rascal is a stunningly powerful, mind-blowing piece of engineering spectacle despite its mere 2.0-liter engine. I drove it at mostly 140kph and this Korean wonder almost flew flawlessly at Nlex, SCTEx and TPLEx.
Because Rodius made me feel great, I would have to require Dave, who I fondly call “Big Mac” for his uncanny ways of lighting up a party of any kind, to sing before me, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by the Credence Clearwater Revival and “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum, the minute we see each other again. Done a cappella, mind you.
When Big Mac performs them, the audience falls into a deathly silence, his listeners almost spellbound, speechless, in awe of a voice befitting a matinee idol’s.
140-percent growth
MEANWHILE, I say Big Mac can also take pride in having steered SsangYong to a spectacular company growth of 140 percent in the year just ended.
Tapped in 2016 to oversee operations of SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines, the exclusive distributor of SsangYong vehicles and parts in the country, Big Mac has thrust the Korean auto manufacturer’s full SUV lineup in the Philippines to an unprecedented sales surge through its two full-service dealerships in Quezon City and Cebu.
If only for the record, SsangYong’s subcompact Tivoli emerged topnotcher with its 43-percent sales performance in 2017. Plus, the Tivoli XLV, a longer and more spacious version of the same model equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged Common Rail Direct Injection diesel engine, was the brand’s second best-seller at a 29-percent share of the total SsangYong tally.
At a 20-percent share was Rodius (P47K down payment, all-in), followed by the SUV Korando at fourth with an 8-percent share.
Rodius at 33.12 km/liter
BUT this, you’ve got to believe: Rodius posted an incredible 33.12-km-per-liter consumption in a fuel-test run conducted late last year by the Department of Energy. That easily made the Rodius the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered vehicle in the market today. I had proven it as my pocket had hardly suffered a dent in my New Year trip to Baguio.
“We are very pleased with the increased presence of SsangYong vehicles in our roads and the growing public acceptance of the brand this past year,” said Big Mac, SBMP’s managing director. “Despite the challenges brought upon by our limited sales footprint, we at SsangYong have continued to pursue heightened awareness and exposure for the brand. We believe that our products are practical, value-laden alternatives to the rest of the market’s offerings. Therefore, delivering them to more customers remains our chief goal this 2018.”
Big Mac, being a man of few words, this time couldn’t contain himself expressing Ssangyong’s thrusts this year.
“The brand lives up to its promise to deliver total customer satisfaction by ensuring top-level service and providing free PMS [Periodic Maintenance Service] for three years and extending our product’s warranty coverage from two to five years,” he said. “This innovation, which we undertook in 2017, has made owning a Rodius and any SsangYong vehicle for that matter a truly pleasing experience.”
Big Mac tells me that aside from Rodius, all SsangYong models come with free three years (or 60,000 km, whichever comes first), and PMS and five years (or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first) vehicle warranty.
PEE STOP Here’s to Toyota for having recorded its 16th consecutive Triple Crown feat of being No. 1 in passenger-car sales, No. 1 in commercial-vehicle sales and No. 1 in overall sales in 2017. Cheers!
Image credits: magzter .com