Since time immemorial, the events that have transpired throughout generations of mankind have made up the important essence of our history. Whether they have been exceptional events or otherwise, still, they have become part and parcel of the annals of our race and thus, we have learned to embrace them. They are the boon and bane of our culture, our humanity. These events, etched in the timeline of the world and probably immortalized in the old pages of our history books, have defined what it means to be human.
In similar fashion, our own automotive realm has been witness to countless sagas ever since. Time after time, circumstances, whether they be momentous as the World War 2 or the COVID-19 pandemic, or somewhat trivial such as a small recognition for a remarkable car salesman, have dictated the storyline of things to come. In short, one story affects the succeeding chapters of our motoring life and this year is no different.
For 2023, it is important to note of the “highs” and the “lows” in the industry, to not only keep track of records or just merely chronicle them, but may these serve as a benchmark, a measuring stick or even a lesson to be learned from on how we, as the motoring public, have bore the brunt or perhaps applauded the stellar ones; and how we can appreciate or otherwise better respond to these various different experiences as we transition from one episode to the next.
Before we turn a new leaf, let us look back to the events and circumstances that have shaped the past year. For us, these have probably defined–or are perhaps defining–what it means to be “motorists,” in our own respect.
Geely PH customer-service crisis
Let’s start with the bad, shall we? Back in August, a story broke out in social media of how a disgruntled Geely customer vented his bad experience involving his Coolray. The said vehicle was being serviced for months in one of Geely’s dealerships due to a malfunctioning fuel pump. The problem here was that the service center’s worker’s left wrappers of junk food inside the Coolray. The customer, in turn, had a firsthand account of this and immediately filed a complaint to the management which, sadly, then fell on deaf ears. In his desperation, he aired his complaint on social media which immediately caught the attention of netizens. Despite this, Geely Philippines chose not to release a statement even after the issue snowballed as netizens took turns in rebuking the Chinese brand.
Perennial oil price hike
The dilemma on skyrocketing fuel prices started when the Russian-Ukrainian war began early last year. Now, the war hasn’t been resolved yet, and a solid solution for high fuel prices is still nowhere in sight. Aside from the war in Europe that has affected crude prices, several factors have also dictated the issue at hand. Other than supply and demand woes, the rising tension in the Red Sea, wherein Yemen Houthis have targeted commercial vessels is one factor. This has disrupted global trade through the Suez Canal. With this, the brunt on fuel is definitely felt among us, everyday motorists, particularly our wallets.
Infinite wait for LTO license plastic cards
Another perennial problem Filipino motorists are facing now are the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) driver’s license plastic cards. It’s been a long-standing back-and-forth supplier issue and the LTO can’t seem to solve it. We have to bear the brunt of carrying paper licenses instead of the standard-issued plastic cards.
Talk about the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch issuing a preliminary injunction against the driver’s license plastic cards supply deal between the LTO and its supplier.
After the LTO assured the public that they would already get a steady supply of plastic cards by October this year, this problem arose. Now, we’ve been told that we have to “infinitely wait” to be issued the usual standard plastic cards up to early next year.
GM abandoning goal of building 400,000 EVs broke the Internet
In a time when electric vehicles (EVs) are finally picking up steam in the local market, this news suddenly broke the Internet last October. Yes, GM may have other plans for its North American market, and we are totally far from that part of the world. But this makes us think: Other than EVs, are there other more feasible means to achieve zero emissions using transportation? This may be good or bad depending on how you look at it. But, at least, we have other options.
Top Toyota executive slams EVs
Speaking of other options, the top executive of the biggest carmaker in the world, Mr. Akiyo Toyoda is lambasting EVs.
In an entirely different page wherein our local carmakers and the industry as a whole are pushing for electrified transportation, this comes as a big surprise.
In various reports, wherein statements such as: “EVs are no friends of the environment” and “Electric vehicles are part of the future, but they are manifestly not the future,” all of this have gotten us all intrigued, if not confused.
This–too–broke the Internet.
Electric vehicles breaking records both in the global and local stages
Despite what this top Toyota executive is saying about electric vehicles, they are simply just inevitable. EV markets are seeing exponential growth this 2023, as sales worldwide have already exceeded the 10 million units sold in 2022.
EV sales are expected to continue flourishing this year. Over 2.3 million EVs were sold in the first quarter, a significant 25-percent increase compared to the same period last year. The global industry is expected to sell more than 14 million EVs by year-end, a 35-percent year-on-year growth.
This pattern then trickles down locally. This year, the outpouring of electric vehicles in the local market was leaps and bounds compared to the previous years. Evidently, Chinese brands were the most aggressive with the entry of Jetour and Chinese luxury brand, Hongqi.
In fact, in the summit organized by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines last October, it is seen that over six million EVs, both four and two wheels, will ply our roads come 2030.
Hybrid electric vehicles upping the ante locally
With the country’s electrified push, carmakers are assuring local consumers that they have, at least, one electrified vehicle in their stable. Few of the examples were: Suzuki unveiled the Ertiga Hybrid, while long-time purist Honda had finally launched the Honda CR-V Hybrid version, the carmaker’s first-ever.
Other carmakers like Toyota Motor Philippines had a few up its sleeve, like the Toyota Zenix (formerly Innova) and the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid.
Surprise Agudo takeover
In a surprise news this December, “Iron Lady” Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, president of and CEO of Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. and president of Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. and her team are taking over The Covenant Car Company, Inc., exclusive distributor of Chevrolet and KG Mobility in the country. More details of this sudden change will come in later months.
Announcement of Toyota headship turnover
Also, in another surprise announcement, Toyota Motor Philippines recently announced that it will have a turnover of leadership come early next year. After steering the company through the Taal eruption in January 2020 and the devastating COVID-19 pandemic before putting the market-leading company on the path to a strong recovery, TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto is soon ending his “most unforgettable” tour of duty in the country. He will be succeeded by Masando Hashimoto, currently the Senior Vice President for Marketing of TMPC. In one end, this comes as a great fairy tale story ending for one of the most difficult challenges the country has ever seen and how one Japanese leader was able to manage the tide.
Strong automotive sales output
According to the report issued by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Incorporated (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) earlier this month, the groups have sold a total of 390,654 units from January to November 2023, up by 23.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
Commercial vehicles accounted for 74.49 percent of the market. While passenger cars churned out 25.51 percent of the market.
Toyota Motor Philippines had the biggest output in the first 11 months of 2023, selling 180,480 units. It was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation with 71,833 units sold and Ford Motor Company Philippines selling 28,586 units. Nissan Philippines came in fourth with 24,743 units, while Suzuki Philippines is fifth with 16,676 units.
