Poor Car - Rich Car

The release of Tata Nano of Tata Motors (India), poor car list gets another new addition. Poor car because it is intended for average person plus the price is very cheap. The car has a three-cylinder 800-cc petrol engine with 33 bhp (power). A 30-litre fuel tank and four-speed manual gearshift. The Executive edition will come with air-condition but all have "pawis" steering (no power steering folks). A price estimate for USD-2,500.00. That is 100k flat in Philippine peso (@ Php-40/$ 1). Wow!

Compare to top cats (big motor brands) creation like the mini cooper of BMW and the smart car of Mercedes Benz taking the big price off would mean taking off it's features. Features like safety, power and prestige of owning a car.

For Pinoy owning a car is for necessity like this multi-cab. Pinoy necessity plus Pinoy creativity and ingenuity a scrap suzuki carry mini cab will become a passenger jeep or a mini multicab all purpose utility pick-up (haba ng description anoh :-) I've seen first hand what his scrap vehicle looks like. In cavite there are many shops specializing on refurbishing and customizing this vehicle. As they say other peoples junk is other peoples treasure. Junk as it may seen but it have many purpose for many Pilipino lives.

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Future Cars - Driverless

Movie plots and effects are reality of the future. Like the first movie about the man on the moon...after a few century it became a reality. Now for another century the cars that drive itself like the ones on I-Robot and Demolition Man will be a reality soon. General Motors, GM, is now envisioning a driverless cars that would revolutionize car traveling in the future..AP.org tells the full story. With these cars are release the street accident will be reduce dramatically, handicap will be independent to travel, no more special gadgets, traveling will be a pleasure, party goers won't worry about DUI violation, fathers can send their toddler to school while watching the basketball finals and the best thing is for women, they can know their favorite hubby's hangout by browsing the cars memory :-) This makes wait for the car release more exciting.

I have one suggestion for the developers...Hope GM will feature driving mode for the cars...like Schumacher mode if your in hurry (for adrenaline drivers), Sunday driver mode if you want to annoy the car behind you or Low rider mode (for hip-hop drivers)...LOL!




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Four Wheel Motorbike

Have you encounter the questionnaire about distinguishing dominant character by choosing between a fighter plane and a race car. What a terrible assessment it ain't practical. Who could afford a fighter plane for his personal use plus the price. If the price is like a car i'm sure every body would buy one, right!

What's better is if the chooses are a motorbike and a car. Would that be an easier choice? Guess what - the most popular pick, yeah your right, is the car. It's s safe, comfortable, versatile and utility wise..well if your a boring person you'll definitely choose this one. But if your an adrenaline junkie like this two buds (picture from dirk huijssoon of flickr, i just combine them) you'll pick the motor bike. If you want to drive with control and feel the nature, it's the favorite pick. But many dont' want to or scare to drive a motor bike because of it's accident hazard nature. Plus majority of street accident involving motor bike has a huge fatality. But now with KTM, Europe's second largest motorcycle maker, teaming up with Audi to make driving on two wheel motor bike a pleasure ride. They created the X-Bow a 2.0 liter direct injection turbocharges 4 cylinder engine that produces 220 bhp on four wheels. The estimated accelaration from 0-60 mph is less than 4 seconds. (that's the same speed as a ferrari and lamborghini). Why is it like driving a motorbike...it's because...X-bow don't have any doors, no wind shields, no roof and you have to have a helmet to drive. No more worrying about your balance...in this four wheel motorbike..your dream to be a biker is at hand.

X-bow in action (picture from autospies, i just make it more faster :-)

Now lets put those two motor bike buddies on X-bow how would they react. Their face says it all. :-)


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The Jeepney (King of the Road) - Re-loaded

Anyone here who have not ride a jeepney? It might sound weird but their are Filipinos that have not ride a jeepney in their life. Why? Because they have their own car (duh :-) while others are out of the country too long to ride for a jeepney again. But seriously jeepney is synonymous to being a Pinoy (as is the word bebot)

This is the only vehicle of its kind in the world. If Ferrari and BWM are building sports SUV luxury cars, jeepney builders are making the same quality. Why? Well here are list of some comparisons.

	Leading SUV Manufacturer	Jeepney Manufacturer (Patok jeeps)
Passenger Capacity (Max)	10 persons (including driver)	24 persons (excluding driver and the sabits)
Speed (max)	250-300 km/hr on freeway	100-110 km/hr on a crowded street
Gasoline Intake	8-10 km/liter	150-200 pesos/trip (another pump on his way back)
Accessories	Branded DVD with surround system	Tape deck or PC CD ROM (improvised) Playing the most requested music (bring a tape or CD, ask the driver’s assistant to play it)
Breaking System	Disk break (different suspension breaks)	Just pull the string to stop (other jeep use full or batak tali)
Body pain	Two tone / metallic from first class quality paint	Full of stickers with anime or sexy design (the jeep have its own name also)
Popularity	For famous and rich person only	From all walks of life Coed and Jologs all together (KJ not allowed)
Security	Air bags / seat belts, 4 door / power door sysemt	Seat belt for the driver only but is not using it, 3 doors (1 – driver, 1 – sexy/special front passenger, 1 common door at the back with the conductor as guard) with sign “___ knows who does not pay”

The comparisons are from the jeepney i ride back in my college years called "Patok jeeps". This jeeps are in demand for coeds and college students. They won't ride and will wait for hours just to ride their favorite jeeps. Such a good way to travel, yet dangerous.

Back to the jeepney, from the 6 seater jeep that the american left after the wars to the Japan made motor jeepney we knew today. Jeepney is re-loading again to an environment-friendly and electric-powered Philippine "King of the Road" vehicle. catch the full story here.

PhUV Own And Drive Pinoy Made Car

Finally Pinoy owns a car. A vehicle to compete to other asian cars like Honda, Hundai, Nissan and Mitsubishi that would be the next big thing in the future. For now we can say "Yabang Pinoy" not only with an Abaca Bracelets but with a roaring horse powered PhUV. PhUV or Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV), a locally assembled utility vehicle, made its public debut Tuesday, June 12, 2007.

Designed to carry both people and cargo, the PhUV is assembled from completely knocked down (CKD) parts and boasts of high local value added parts and labor content.

Image from Gani's Photo

What is a PhUV?
The PhUV (Philippine Utility Vehicle) is a Filipino vehicle: for Pinoys, made by 50,000 Filipino workers from over 300 Philippine made and assembled autoparts. It is designed to carry both people and cargo, thus it is ideal for business use on weekdays and family use on weekends.

Why do we need the PhUV?
Through the years, we have witnessed the steady decline of local auto parts manufacturers and currently, most of what is left of our membership are operating at only 40% of their rated plant capacities. There are about 45,000 workers dependent on the local parts industry and its support industries and thus, MVPMAP saw the need to look for a vehicle that will hopefully revive the industry, a move similar to what our Asean neighbors have done – look for a niche and serve it!! We are expecting the Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV) Program to do this as we believe it can be the much-needed catalyst to revive our ailing local auto parts industry. (from Drive by Shooter)

If i'm going to buy a car, instead of second hand sedan car, i'll take this PhUV. Patronizing our own product increase our economy status. Though the PhUV look like a new version of jeepney, remember it's a Pinoy made vehicle. I believe in Pinoy some day that brand will be seen on races and would beat other popular cars. Ahem! :-)

Philippine car just a click away

According to survey men think of only three things and that is SEX, SPORT AND CAR. This might be the reason why every man wants to own the fastest car.

But now many woman are into cars, motorcycles and speed. But before i proceed see the 10 reason why men gives way if woman is driving next to him. Click here.

Now to continue, Kabayan's can now check the prices of Philippine car thru KotseMo.com. They offer different used cars from various dealers, and the good thing about it, is you can do it with the comfort of you computer.

KotseMo.com also have review about the latest cars, technology and tips. Another service they offer is free ad placement (yess it's FREE), so what are you doing, if you want a new car or if you have a car you want to sell check the site.