THE motoring sector is now fast coming back to life as the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), whose four-year interruption was aggravated by the pandemic, has been revived.
Set at its usual home that is the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the PIMS is on September 15-18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Now on its eighth year, the event’s theme is Mobility + Humanity: Innovating for the Common Good.
What an apt subject as it touches on a broad spectrum centering on the marriage of man and machine out to explore motion harmony for all.
Shaina May Semana of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), upon the instruction of TMP hot shot Sherwin “Shawin” ChuaLim, has invited me to the Toyota launch for an exclusive presentation of TMP’s mosaic for the occasion.
Unfortunately, I missed it due to a previous family commitment.
But I’m sure it went well, especially so that the launch topic was about Toyota’s global commitment “to evolve our way of life, create car electric experiences, uplift communities and move the world.”
ChuaLim, TMP’s first vice president for vehicle operations, said Toyota’s chief theme this year is about the projections of electric vehicles. Very timely, indeed, as Toyota has been the vanguard, the leading light, in the auto world’s intense effort toward mass vehicle electrification in the near future.
“Together, let us create a sustainable future through electrification and push the limits for a better mobility in tomorrow’s vehicle outlook,” said ChuaLim.
That’s a forceful step towards the right direction, Shawin.
And, speaking about the frenetic race on vehicle electrification, here’s Nikkei Asia’s latest on the subject:
“Automakers and battery manufacturers are rushing to get ahead in the electric vehicle (EV) market as the world shifts toward a greener, emissions-free future.
“Announcements over the last few weeks from major industry players indicate strong commitments to expanding their EV-related businesses.
“Especially notable are efforts to increase and stabilize the procurement of EV batteries, which are considered crucial in ensuring the transition to and long-term success of EVs.
“South Korea’s LG Energy Solution aims to build half a dozen battery plants abroad while Toyota Motor and Honda Motor have both revealed plans to invest billions in bringing new battery plants online. Nissan Motor will acquire a Japanese lithium-ion battery maker in a bid to gain a competitive edge over its rivals.”
And so, since we are but an extension of Japan’s giant car companies when it comes to mobility concerns, we must brace ourselves up for the coming car electrification platform happening soon in the region.
Although it will still take some time before the EV thing comes in full blast on our shores—maybe in another 10 to 20 years?—it will be wise to take stock of the ramifications of the incoming switch from fossil fuel-fed vehicles to EV mode. To be ready is to be prepared.
As I said here a while back, I dread the day when I will have to dispose of my pre-EV Altis. Already, the thought of preserving my Altis in a museum-like garage has been swimming in my mind. Or will I keep it in a glass cage for posterity’s sakes?
Your advice is very much welcome, dear fellas.
PEE STOP Percy Della, who worked as press officer of Arnold Schwarzenegger when Schwarzenegger was California governor, had a grand day recently at Bale Maragul, the Ayson Family’s hidden paradise resort at the foot of Mt. Arayat in Pampanga. Arriving at noon on board a shiny black Innova, with Jessie behind the wheels, Percy was with her comely wife, Lily. We all feasted on tinolang manok, CPA (chicken pork adobo) and burong catfish wrapped in green leafy mustasa, through the kindness of our generous host, Jake P. Ayson. Jessie had Alfonso X. O, Jake red wine, Percy pale pilsen, and Lily plain water. Mine was Jack Daniels single barrel. Before migrating to the US in 1978, Percy was a sportswriter of note in the Philippines’s Manila Times and Times Journal, whose pen produced an endless array of fine prose that left readers continually awe-struck. Welcome home, Perci-bull!