THE practice of blowing one’s horn isn’t bad per se, for to brag is to be proud of what has been achieved. As one saying goes, “If you have it, flaunt it.” Nothing wrong there. “Better to be overdressed than underdressed,” goes another truism in fashion.
And so, when Nissan recently announced plans of having 20 electric vehicle models across all their brands by 2022 and selling 700,000 units of all electric and “e-power” hybrids by that time, well and good. It can only mean Nissan is working its butt off to be abreast with the times.
But hearing that, some from the other side of the fence were seen shrugging their shoulders, as if saying, “Uh-oh, been there, done that.” Or, maybe, from one with the typical mercurial temper: “So what?”
And so, Toyota, for one, could easily be considered as watching the birds just fly by, the ships sail by and the hybrid cars flit by.
Can afford, really.
FOR, if only for the record, Toyota is way ahead of the pack—the brat pack, if you will.
Already, Toyota has sold 1.52 million electrified vehicles in 2017. That is ridiculously three years ahead of Toyota’s avowed target of producing that by 2020.
If we go by the cumulative sales of Toyota, the world No. 1 carmaker has sold 11.47-plus million electrified vehicles, which represent a reduction of more than 90 million tons of carbon-dioxide emissions compared to the overall sales of equivalent conventional engines.
As one keen-eyed analyst said, “Every carmaker is pledging that they will electrify their lineup by 2020 onward. But do they know that Toyota has been at it since the launch of the Prius.”
That was in 1997, and was I lucky enough to have test-driven the Prius that year in the Fuji International Speedway near the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan’s equivalent of our Mayon Volcano. I hadn’t had the slightest inkling then that I was behind the wheel of an automobile that would define the future.
“But today, they try to label hybrids any which way—e-hybrids, blue tech, etc.—but at the end of the day, they will not admit that the Prius was a hybrid electric vehicle,” said my Einsteinish fellow bar-hopper.
Pursuing his case, he said: “Where’s the news in that? Yet, it makes headlines everywhere. Potah naman, eh. Venting lang, podner.”
I liked it. So, I egged him on in his hybrid-fueled ululations.
“Imagine,” he said, “by 2022, they boast of having built 700,000 units when Toyota has manufactured 1.52 million hybrids already as of 2017 yet. But they are 20 years late to the party, podner!”
With some glass-raising for effect, I told him, “Every single electrified vehicle counts toward building a greener, better tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah,” he said. “And they make it sound like they—and the others—are leading the charge. Ika nga ni Da Trump, ‘I am vindicated.’ Hic!”
Really, sometimes, one orates at his best when angry.
“Excuse the ranting, podner,” he said. “Release lang ng pent-up feelings. Kaunti lang naman. With matching fist-pounding and palm-slamming on the table for maximum effect! Hahahaha! Fuck it all!”
You think that’s it?
Before sauntering off, this as his parting shot: “I’ve done my job, podner. Time to go off and graze—into the night.”
Poetic pa more.
How can you not love a bloke like that—forever?
The Hilux Conquest
TOYOTA celebrated its 16th straight Triple Crown Affair (No. 1 in sales in passenger car, commercial vehicle and overall performance) recently at the brand-new, elegantly designed Hyatt Manila at BGC Taguig, this time not just with the usual big bang but by unraveling the new Hilux Conquest, as well.
If you are looking for a different kind of pickup, the Hilux Conquest could be it. Handsome and oozing with macho appeal, the new Hilux is packed with a powerful driving experience.
Powered by the same fuel-efficient and durable engine as the current Hilux lineup, the Hilux Conquest is equipped with a four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC variable nozzle turbo with front-mounted intercooler befitting for any off-road activity. It is sporty and boasts of daytime running lights, a bed liner and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Added new features include a smart key/entry, 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreen and DVD/tuner steering wheel audio control.
They come in super white, attitude black mica and nebula blue metallic. The prices:
PEE STOP
Lexus Manila Inc. will unwrap anew today (February 23) its much-awaited Lexus Cup at Santa Elena Golf Club, the tournament’s traditional home since LMI’s first president, Danny “Sir John” Isla, unfurled the first Lexus Cup some nine years or so ago. This will be the second edition of the famed event under the baton of Raymond T. Rodriguez, now in his second prolific-as-ever year as LMI president. While tradition holds that only new Lexus owners are qualified to play, a number of select multiple-buyers are exempted from the rule. One is someone who has bought a total of 66 varied Lexus models. Another has amassed nearly 120 variants. “Easily, they are what you may call the Lifetime Achievement awardees,” Sir John said. “Isang tawag lang nila, aprub without thinking!” Cheers!