Ford Philippines posts double digit growth

Ford Philippines sustained its strong sales after posting double-digit growth in its year-to-date and quarterly retail performance.

Year-to-date sales grew by 10 percent to 16,244 vehicles compared to a year ago with the Ford Ranger and Ford Territory leading the sales for the first nine months. Sales for the Ford Ranger increased by 12 percent to 7,484 units, while the Ford Territory continued its retail momentum with sales growing by 29 percent to 6,430 units. The Ford Territory retained its leadership in the small SUV segment with 52 percent market share.

On a quarterly performance, vehicle sales rose by 50 percent in the third quarter of the year from a year ago to 7,288 vehicles. Comparing it with the previous quarter this year, vehicle sales also posted a growth of 69 percent.

Ford Philippines also posted its highest monthly retail performance for the year in September, with sales rising by 62 percent to 2,896 units sold, driven by strong sales for the next-generation Ford Ranger at 1,311 units, Ford Territory at 812 units, and next-generation Ford Everest at 723 units.

“We thank our customers for their continued patronage of the Ford brand, as well as our dealers for their solid partnership in bringing our vehicles closer to more customers nationwide,” shares Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines. “Launching our next-gen vehicles in the last quarter definitely gave our retail performance a big boost, and we are definitely encouraged to sustain the momentum as we near the end of the year with more exciting offers and services for our customers.”

Stronger product portfolio

It was during the third quarter when Ford Philippines officially welcomed the arrival of the next-generation Ford Ranger and Ford Everest to beef up its product portfolio and keep up with the growing demand for pick-up trucks and SUVs in the market. The development of both next-gen vehicles started with customers in mind, with Ford teams spending time with consumers around the world to identify exactly what they were looking for in a pick-up truck and in an SUV.

The next-gen Ranger is bold and confident on the outside with a defined new grille, rear box side step, wider track and wheelbase, embossed tailgate and LED taillamps, and C-clamp LED headlamps that give it that unmistakable ‘Built Ford Tough’ look. Its cabin is completely redesigned with the Ranger-first digital instrument cluster, 10” or best-in-class 12” portrait touchscreen, 360-degree camera, and SYNC4^® with Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability. An upgraded chassis and suspension ensure excellent ride and handling, whether riding with passengers, fully loaded with cargo or towing.

Meanwhile, the next-gen Everest is a standout on the road with its C-Clamp headlights, LED taillights, as well as the hands-free liftgate and panoramic moonroof. Sophisticated, spacious and beautifully-crafted with new soft touch finishes, its interior is designed and engineered to be a sanctuary with 360-degree camera, SYNC® 4A with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability and wireless charging pad. Stronger and wider, the next-gen Everest boasts of updated chassis and refined suspension, offering enhanced ride comfort and handling to customers.

Both vehicles come with a 5-year warranty to enhance the ownership experience. The longer warranty offering will cover the next-gen Ranger and Everest for up to 5 years or total mileage of up to 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

Reaching more customers – online and offline

Ford kicked off the launch of the next-generation Ford Ranger and Everest with an online reservation platform that took in customer reservations for both vehicles ahead of the public reveal. 

Available on the Ford Philippines website, the online portal is a safe and secure virtual platform where customers can reserve for their preferred next-gen Ranger or Everest variant anytime and anywhere – without having to physically visit a Ford dealership.

Close to 500 vehicle reservations and over 2,000 vehicle quote requests have been generated from the online portal since its launch.

Alongside the launch of the next-gen Ranger and Everest marked the return of Ford Philippines’ nationwide test drive event, the Ford Island Conquest (FIC), providing customers an opportunity to see and test drive Ford vehicles outside a Ford showroom. 

Now on its fifth year, the FIC features a mock-up showroom display, providing good opportunity for attendees to learn more about the vehicles and various ownership packages from Ford sales consultants. It is also home to the much-anticipated outdoor test drive course, which is designed to highlight key vehicle features, which include ride and handling, technology, capability, and safety. It also allows customers to enjoy cash discounts and other prizes if they reserve a Ford vehicle during the 3-day FIC event.

Over 800 reservations for various Ford vehicles were received over the last four (4) FIC legs, including almost 2,000 test drives conducted and over 3,000 prospects served. Customers can look forward to the next Ford Island Conquest test drive events at the SM Seaside Cebu on October 28-30 and at the Bonifacio Global City Amphitheater and Autofocus Test Drive Festival at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on November 18-20 with bigger cash discounts and promotions up for grabs. 

Actress Gillian Vicencio joins This isKwela Study With Me

FB live stream on October 26

Catch up-and-coming actress Gillian Vicencio as she shares practical tips and solutions to strike a healthy school-life balance at Globe This isKwela’s third "Study With Me” livestream event.

The much-anticipated study session will be aired on the online education community’s Facebook Page on October 26 at 7 pm.  

This isKwela is part of Globe’s commitment to equipping Filipinos with different ways to enable them to study better and smarter. It seeks to help the young and old discover learning opportunities, acquire affordable, accessible, and safe learning solutions, and connect to industry experts and celebrities.

"Globe aims to add value to its customers by helping them improve their time management skills for a healthy work-life or school-life balance. Introducing them to the necessary tools would help them achieve their personal and professional goals," said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

The young actress will be joined by This isKwela's resident expert Teacher Imman. Together they will give tips on effective time management and striking a healthy balance between professional or academic goals and being with loved ones, or even by oneself. 

As an actress and student, Gillian knows a thing or two about handling her career and school life without sacrificing any or both. She is part of the first batch of Rise Artist Studio talent agency under ABS-CBN and played the role of the beloved character Tox in the hit series “2 Good 2 Be True.” She is also known for her role as Erika Sayco in the 2018 horror movie "Eerie.”

 

The first two parts of This isKwela “Study With Me” featured GMA talent Arianne Bautista, who helped teach about “Product Pricing for Entrepreneurs,” and ABS-CBN Star Magic talent JC Alcantara, who spoke on the theme “Turning your Passion into a Career."

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph. 

Gen. Sinas “party” uncalled for-DILG

The birthday celebration of Metro Manila police chief Major General Debold Sinas is “uncalled for” specially during the quarantine period in view of COVID-19.

This statement was made by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año in an interview aired lived via Teleradyo today. 

Año, however, said the event was not really a birthday party but a “Mañanita” which is a tradition in the military and police service. The birthday surprise was conducted in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Metro Manila which is under Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ.

The government has prohibited mass gatherings during these times,

Las Mañanitas is a traditional birthday song originally sung in Mexico and other Latin countries, to serenade the birthday celebrator usually early in the morning.

“But during this time it is uncalled for, i said there is a delicadeza so dapat stop muna yan,” Año said.

Año has directed all bureaus and offices under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to refrain from such gatherings. 

“I leave it to PNP to conduct investigation if there are violations of the quarantine guideiines,” he added.

Early today,, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said he does not see any violation since there was no party but only a mañanita.

SM Group sets P100M to help fund efforts vs COVID-19

The SM Group has allocated up to P100 million to help the Philippine government’s efforts to fight the health scare caused by the corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak.

SM indicated that the funds will be used specifically for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) which is a health research facility based in Muntinlupa and other government hospitals.

SM, a Philippine company with diverse business interests in retail, banking and property, with blue-chip listed assets such as SM Prime Holdings, China Banking Corporation and BDO Unibank.

“To ensure the safety of medical frontliners, SM is bringing in personal protective equipment (PPE) - face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves, and shoe covers, as well as urgent medical supplies to help government hospitals who badly need them,” SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy said.

Sy said assistance has also been extended to PGH and the RITM for their urgent needs and for improving their laboratory testing capacity. SM has also allocated PPEs and medical supplies to the UP Medical Foundation Inc. to reach a wider network of hospitals.

“To improve availability of tests, SM has reached out to Manila Healthtek Inc. to distribute 20,000 tests for free to government hospitals, once approved for use,” the statement read.

While the city has been placed under a “community quarantine” which means Dabawenyos are strongly urged to stay inside their homes except when they need to work, buy food or medicine, go to the hospital or take out garbage, SM stores in the city have remained open.

However,  both SM Ecoland and SM Lanang Premier have adjusted mall hours to 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. from the previous 10 a.m. to 9 p.m..

“SM Cinema, bingo, and playrooms have temporarily stopped their operations following the directive of the City Government of Davao,” the mall advisory read.

On the other hand, the Ayala Malls Abreeza also issued an advisory which adjusted its operating hours effective March 16, in line with the management’s thrust of prioritizing the health and safety of  everyone.

Abreeza Mall has also adjusted its hours effective March 18: Monday to Sunday 11AM to 7PM.

Buy one, Get one beverage at Starbucks today

Planning to have  coffee with a friend?  Today is the best time to bond over a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Whether you want iced coffee or frap or any of their handcrafted beverages, you get another one for free. Here's how:

1. Promo period is October 14 (MONDAY)
2. Pay using the Starbucks PH phone app
3. Order a Grande handcrafted beverage
4. The buy one get one promo is available from 11am-6pm
5. Maximum of two purchased beverages per customer

Brain Touch

Brain Touch guru Dr. Lee Dong Sul calls the treatment as "miraculous" but is it?  Full story soon ...

Davao mayor bans pigs, pork products

Mayor Sara Duterte yesterday ordered, through an executive order, the entry of all live pigs and pork products in the city to ensure that it remains free from the African  Swine Fever (ASF).

The order came amidst the continued spread of ASF in many countries causing massive economic losses and social dislocation.

“The temporary ban applies to all live pigs, pork and pork-related products and by-products, whether fresh, frozen, processed or cooked, including but not limited to frozen boar semen, from the entire island of Luzon and the other ASF-affected areas,” the mayor said.

The order also included the prohibition of feeding of raw swill or food wastes, also known as “lamaw” in the dialect, to pigs in Davao City.

The Department of Agriculture Crisis Management Task Force on Swine has already officially declared the presence of ASF in the country early this month.

“There is a possibility that the African Swine Fever may reach the city in such proportions that would affect the food safety and food security of the city,” Sara said, There is a need to protect the city’s hog industry from the potential threat of ASF and from any possible economic loss, she added.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already warned all food business operators against importation, distribution and sale of the banned products from affected countries about the ASF as early as May this year.

Sara urged the swine industry stakeholders to be vigilant in their areas of responsibilities. 

“All are hereby alerted and directed to prepare protective measures to prevent the spread of the swine disease into our city,” she said.

Among the measures recommended by the EO are the following:

-strict biosecurity and good animal husbandry practices in the farms for swine raisers; 

-prohibition on the feeding of raw swill/food wastes ("Lamaw") to pigs;

-use of commercially available feeds or self formulated feeds using conventional or non-conventional feed ingredients sourced from areas that are not affected with ASF;

-reporting of any suspicious incidence of mortality in pigs to the City Veterinarian's Office. 

-warning to hotel and restaurant operators and other food establishments and food wastes collectors on the proper disposal of table left-overs or food wastes/swill;

-non-distribution of food wastes to hog raisers; 

-for livestock dealers, ensure that all animals for transport and slaughter are accompanied by necessary documents such as Veterinary Health Certificate or Animal inspection Certificate and Shipping Permits; and

-meat vendors/suppliers and meat processors are also strictly discouraged from selling meat and processed meat that are clandestinely or illegally slaughtered, undocumented or sourced from illegal markets. (with reports from the City Information Office)