IT has been more than two years since Hyundai Motor Co. (HMC) awarded Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (Hari) the exclusive distributorship of Hyundai trucks and buses in the Philippines and it paved the way for the company to offer the complete product lineup of passenger and commercial vehicles.
Now on its 17th year in the country, the Korean manufacturer’s commercial vehicle (CV) dealership network has grown to 11 branches offering full array of Hyundai trucks and buses with dedicated after-sales support, and offering genuine Hyundai parts. But Hari is determined to even increase the number of CV dealerships to 20 in the next two years.
“We want to expand the reach and coverage of Hyundai’s business in the Philippines, serving individual customers through our passenger cars, and commerce and industry through our commercial vehicles. By entering the high growth market of commercial vehicles, we can better fulfill our mission to be the leading provider of sustainable, environment-friendly, world-class, innovative, and cost-effective customer and business-to-business mobility and payload solutions in the commercial vehicles trade,” said Hari President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.
In order to showcase Hari’s capacity to offer business mobility solution package to the growing demand of commercial vehicles in the country, the company recently kicked off the North Luzon leg of the Hyundai Power Solutions. Held at the Laus Group Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga, the event featured Hyundai’s complete lineup of trucks, as well as other sophisticated people movers. CV sales and after-sales service experts were also on-site and provided comprehensive demonstrations, as well as consultation sessions on vehicle applications and maintenance.
“Hyundai Power Solutions—North Luzon Leg is the inaugural platform of Hyundai’s commercial vehicle expo that shall set in motion a series of Hyundai business expositions in strategic locations all over the Philippines. The expo aims to bring Hyundai’s total solutions package—from its complete line of innovative trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles, to expert after-sales service and genuine parts support—closer to prospective customers and markets,” Agudo added.
Honoring the expo were none other than Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, Embassy of the Republic of Korea Minister Counselor Kim Sun-young, and HMC Executive Vice President and COO of Commercial Vehicle Division In Cheol Lee.
Light to medium and heavy-duty haulers
Lined up were the Xcient heavy-duty series showcasing different body setup. From the versatile tractor head variant to the construction business operators such as the cement mixer and dump trucks variants. The light to medium HD series, meantime, were presented in various size and applications. Representing the medium-scaled HD 78 and HD 65 were numerous body setup for different business applications. These were the sophisticated wing van, crane, dropside, dump truck, water tanker, as well as the dry and insulated van. As for the smaller HD 36, the aluminum van version was displayed.
People movers
Leading the array of sophisticated movers was the luxury Universe bus. Already commissioned by one of the leading transport companies, Victory Liner, this first-class people carrier can seat between 40 to as much as 50 depending on the configuration. Another was the smaller Super Aero City bus intended for inter-city operation that can haul up to more than 40 passengers depending on the setup. There was also the light bus County being pitted against the Coaster and Rosa bus from the Japanese counterparts. Even Hyundai’s unique H350 large van was displayed with various customized interiors to highlight the vehicle’s versatility when it comes to customer’s preference.
Modern PUJ
Perhaps the main starrer among the CV displayed was the debut of Hyundai’s own version of the modern jeepney. Based on the HD36 platform, it represents a new concept in the public transportation landscape. This modern jeepney exhibits a unique engineering characterized by a proprietary cab and chassis design. It’s designed to withstand the daily punishment brought about by the mass transport requirements of the commuting public.
“The debut of the new Hyundai Modern Jeepney reflects the company’s steadfast commitment to support the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program [PUVMP]. We believe that fleet modernization is an important step toward the economic progress of the Philippines, and we have been working closely with the Department of Transportation to ensure that this vision becomes a reality,” said Agudo.
The unique body design is a product of innovative young minds from the University of the Philippines College of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Engineering and the technical expertise of HMC Research and Development Center in Seoul, Korea. In line with the government’s PUVMP’s goal for clean air, it’s equipped with a Euro IV CRDi engine for better fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions. It also offers modern features mandatory to the program such as automated payment system (Beep card), Wi-fi connectivity, GPS tracking, CCTV cameras for security and speed limiter technology.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino