CAR companies should learn a thing or two from Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) on how to celebrate a more meaningful and memorable anniversary.
To commemorate its 35th year in the country, officials, led by TMP Chairman Alfred V. Ty, cooked up a massive celebration, from fun-filled events to significant gatherings that saw the presence of practically the Who’s Who in both public and private sectors.
It started with Ty having President Marcos Jr. himself as guest at Toyota’s sprawling assembly plant in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, where Ty unravelled 35 different Toyota models as “gifts to the Filipino people” through the Chief Executive of the land.
TMP also did the same five years back, when it had President Duterte as special guest of honor during TMP’s 30th anniversary.
In the evening of August 22, the First Lady herself graced TMP’s dinner/program at the Grand Hyatt in BGC. Also present were diplomats, dignitaries and several Cabinet members led by Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista. Chairman Akio Toyoda of Tokyo-based Toyota Motor Corp. flew in from Japan to become the keynote speaker.
In his opening remarks, he boasted that he went straight from the airport to “my favorite place in the Philippines, which is none other than Jollibee!” Several photos of him feasting on Jollibee delicacies were splashed on the giant screen as Toyoda was addressing the animated audience.
“Where in the world can you find a restaurant that serves fried chicken and spaghetti all at the same time?” he said.
A man that loves to think out-of-the-box and practices it with gusto, Toyoda’s rock-star orchestrations did not end there.
The next morning, Toyoda was at the Luneta in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, mesmerizing race car buffs with his impeccable talent in drifting and gymkhana antics.
Here’s TMP’s Shaina Mae Semana’s report:
“Race aficionados were left spellbound by the two-day heart-pounding TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on August 23-24 that had everyone screaming, ‘I love cars!.’
“The event, dubbed by TMP as its ‘greatest gathering to celebrate all things about GAZOO Racing,’ was part of the mobility company’s 35th anniversary treat to customers and fans who have shown continuous love and support for the brand. The TGR Festival was attended by more than 6,000 spectators on the ground and watched by 2.6-million live stream viewers.
“Akio Toyoda cum Morizo showcased his driving and drifting skills as he demonstrated his prowess aboard various Toyota race cars.
“To kick things off, Morizo wowed the crowd with his mastery of the Toyota GR Yaris WRC rally car, where he entertained the crowd with donut maneuvers. Morizo also joined the Gymkhana challenge where he drove a Toyota GR 86 with ease. He moved through a challenging course with the finesse of a seasoned racer. Morizo also took lucky passengers for adrenaline-pumping rides, giving them a taste of what it’s like to experience the track from the perspective of a racing master.
“I developed a car because I wanted to see the smiles of the people. You ask people and you give them what they want,’ Morizo/Toyoda said. ‘It’s because of your smiles and cheers that is why I’m here.”
“Of course, Toyota GAZOO racing would not be complete without the participation of the country’s home-grown Filipino star racers like Alex Perez, Luis Gono, Marlon Stockinger and celebrity-racer Ryan Agoncillo.”
Here’s a glass to TMP’s celebration for the ages.
PEE STOP Today, September 1, marks a red-letter day for Velocita Motors, the newest babe of Ramon S. Ang (RSA) that exclusively distributes the iconic Ferrari. RSA, the President/CEO of San Miguel Corp., is so enamored with cars that he also owns the country’s exclusive distributorship of BMW. Cheers!
