I LIKE what Froilan Dytianquin, now the general manager for Sojitz G Auto/Geely Philippines’s sales and marketing division, told the Inquirer’s Tessa R. Salazar just a while back on digital platform embracing the auto world today. Here:
“I believe this will be the way of doing things from now on. This situation has taught us a lot in doing things, like adapting, while at the same time being efficient. Online seminars, and virtual car launches prove to be cost effective too in relaying your messages to employees and customers alike. I’m sure software developers are further on the grind to find better solutions to bring the better experience of communicating and selling to customers.”
Short but sweet. That’s always been the way with Froi, the longtime vital cog of Mitsubishi before moving to Sojitz G/Geely. Good job, buddy.
And speaking of virtual car launches, Nadinne B. Capistrano said Toyota will unwrap another model shortly (September 12?)—practically just days after the world’s No. 1 carmaker unfurled its game-changing Corolla Cross that caught the industry by surprise. Happily that is, because the Corolla, the Toyota icon for the longest time, has stunningly metamorphosed into an SUV. What a move! And a hybrid at that. That’s like seeing LeBron James being suddenly transformed from an adroit point guard to a slamming slot man. Any shape and any size you want to do with the Corolla, it will always perform well and be a looker as well. Any position you give to James, he’d always rule like the king that he is in any assigned task.
With the arrival here of the Corolla Cross, the landscape was transformed into another eye-popping panorama not seen, or even expected, by even the keenest observers in the industry. My friend in America had bought a Corolla Cross just a while back and you know what he said to me? “After owning and driving many models here in LA, I’ve never been so satisfied. The new Corolla SUV has revolutionized car appreciation.”
Who said the future hasn’t arrived?
11 Volvos feted
FROM Albert Paolo Ella, lawyer Albert Arcilla’s hardworking lieutenant, this:
“Eleven Volvo car models have earned five stars, the highest possible safety rating, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program for 2021.
“Volvo has a long history as a leader in passenger vehicle safety innovation. In 1959 the company introduced the three-point safety belt, one of the most important pieces of safety equipment ever invented. Since then Volvo has introduced many more world firsts in safety, including the Rearward-facing child seat (1972), Side Impact Protection System (1991), Whiplash Protection System (1998) the Inflatable Curtain (1998), Roll Stability Control (2002), Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake (2010), Run-off Road Protection (2014) and more. It is estimated these innovations have saved more than 1 million lives.
“Awarded 5-Star ratings were the 2021 Volvo S60 T5, 2021 Volvo S60 T6 AWD, 2021 Volvo V60 T5, 2021 Volvo XC40 T5 AWD, 2021 Volvo V60 T5 AWD Cross Country, 2021 Volvo XC40 T4, 2021 Volvo XC60 T5 / T5 AWD, 2021 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD, 2021 Volvo XC90 T5 / T5 AWD, 2021 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD and the 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 AWD.
“Models the NHTSA has not tested are the 2021 S90, V90 and V90 Cross Country, T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid variants of the S60, V60 and XC60, and the XC40 P8 Recharge pure electric SUV.
“Volvo has always been and always will be about people, which means safety is our number one priority,” said Anders Gustafsson, Senior Vice President Americas and President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “These NHTSA 5-Star ratings confirm Volvo Cars’ continued commitment to protecting what’s important to our customers.”
Volvo has always prided itself as the world’s safest vehicle. Take a bow, Sir Albert.
PEE STOP Visor chief Vernon B. Sarne, the former Top Gear PHL editor in chief, is back on his feet after a three-week battle against aneurysm that put him precariously under the knife to repair a ligament tear near his brain. By God’s grace, Vernon hurdled the ordeal in flying colors, thanks in large part to the stupendous assist provided him by Ariel “SPO2” de Jesus. Ariel practically herded the entire motoring media and several industry moguls to rally round Vernon during those most crucial moments, when life literally hung by the thread for the feistiest motoring journalist popping out this side of the globe. Nice to have you back, Sean. Indeed, God still needs you to continue fulfilling your mission: Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. Mabuhay ka, VBS!
1 comment
Volvo that takes care of you. Expensive but worth every penny.