Saturday, August 26, 2006
Philippine Oil Spill: National level Calamity declared
President Arroyo’s order is more than just a formality that most diasters require for the release of funds to handle natural disasters. It also brings the level of responce up to treaty level and allows more direct international participation in the clean-up.
[]…” Arroyo declares oil spill calamity President Arroyo on Friday declared the oil spill in Guimaras a national calamity as the slick spread rapidly and threatened some of the country’s richest fishing grounds.Mrs. Arroyo, who made the declaration during the 18th National Convention of the National Prosecutors’ Week in Cebu, said the oil disaster in Guimaras demands the cooperation and solidarity of all Filipinos. “I call upon Petron and the ship owner to immediately clean up the mess and the Task Force Guimaras and Coast Guard Admiral Arthur Gosingan to attend to environmental and health issues,” she said. …” [] ABS-CBNNEWSonline
I do not know which PR agency is advising the Petron people what to say when they appear on TV- one man in particular yesterday was talking about -”product recovery” The insensitive nature of the comment and term might lead some to believe there is more concern over product- than people the environment and safety.
But then again had the concern been with true product integrity - delivery of product to destination in the most safe & secure manner to an end user i wouldn’t even be writing this blog and those people sick and in hospital and the man who died and hundred imillion peso partail clean up bill not needed?
Sunday, April 23, 2006
A Hybrid perfect for the shift to H2!
Press release from mazda:
HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation has delivered one RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle each to its first two corporate customers for this model, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, and Iwatani International Corporation in Osaka, Japan. RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars are equipped with a rotary engine and feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. The vehicles that have been leased to Mazda's first two corporate fleet customers are based on Mazda's original body design but with specially added company decals for each customer's use. The delivery of these vehicles for fleet use marks the world's first case of leasing an internal combustion engine vehicle that can use both hydrogen and gasoline as fuel.
Akihiro Kashiwagi, RX-8 Hydrogen RE development program manager, said, "We're pleased to deliver these hydrogen rotary engine vehicles for fleet use in these two companies, which are participating in the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project (JHFC) and are actively engaged in advancing further uses of hydrogen energy. And we are looking forward to hearing feedback from our customers about the cars. Mazda will continue its efforts to improve the performance of hydrogen-fueled rotary engine vehicles and do its part to help achieve a more environmentally friendly hydrogen energy society in the future."
Specifications and lease price of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
Mazda's hydrogen vehicle development milestones
HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation has delivered one RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle each to its first two corporate customers for this model, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, and Iwatani International Corporation in Osaka, Japan. RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars are equipped with a rotary engine and feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. The vehicles that have been leased to Mazda's first two corporate fleet customers are based on Mazda's original body design but with specially added company decals for each customer's use. The delivery of these vehicles for fleet use marks the world's first case of leasing an internal combustion engine vehicle that can use both hydrogen and gasoline as fuel.
 |
 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (Top: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd version.) (Bottom: Iwatani International Corporation version) |
Akihiro Kashiwagi, RX-8 Hydrogen RE development program manager, said, "We're pleased to deliver these hydrogen rotary engine vehicles for fleet use in these two companies, which are participating in the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project (JHFC) and are actively engaged in advancing further uses of hydrogen energy. And we are looking forward to hearing feedback from our customers about the cars. Mazda will continue its efforts to improve the performance of hydrogen-fueled rotary engine vehicles and do its part to help achieve a more environmentally friendly hydrogen energy society in the future."
Specifications and lease price of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
| Vehicle | Type | Mazda ABA-SE3P 'Kai' (modified model) | ||||
| Overall length/width/height | 4.435mm / 1.770mm / 1.340mm | |||||
| Wheelbase | 2,700mm | |||||
| Curb weight | 1,460kg | |||||
| Seating capacity | 4 adults | |||||
| Engine | Class | RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine | ||||
| (Dual fuel system) | ||||||
| Type | 13B | |||||
| Displacement | 0.654L x 2 | |||||
| Maximum output |
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| Maximum torque |
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| Fuel | Type | Hydrogen/gasoline switch | ||||
| Fuel tank |
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| Performance | Cruising distance (10-15 mode) |
| ||||
| *Standard lease price (Price without tax indicated in brackets.) | 420,000 yen (400,000 yen) per month | |||||
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| 1991 | Developed the first hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X |
| 1992 | Test drive of golf cart equipped with fuel cell |
| 1993 | Developed second hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X2 |
| Developed test version of MX-5 equipped with hydrogen rotary engine | |
| 1995 | Conducted Japan's first public road test with Capella Cargo equipped with hydrogen rotary engine |
| 1997 | Developed Demio (Mazda2) FC-EV |
| 2001 | Developed Premacy FC-EV and conducted first public road test in Japan (with methanol reformer fuel cell system) |
| 2003 | Announced Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine vehicle development model |
| 2004 | Conducted the world's first public road tests of the RX-8 hydrogen rotary engine that can run on two types of fuel--hydrogen and gasoline |
Thursday, April 20, 2006
I'm amazed at the number of imports from the grey market of higher end cars in metro Manila.Value for money is supposed to be good- but- there is the idea that with gas prices rising the way they are the costs of upkeep on high end grey arket cars must be skyrocketing.
But then - if you can afford the cars - gas prices must be the least of you worries.
Higher end imports have come in under new liberalized tax rates that put a flat 500,000 tax on imported cars and trucks- which actually is improving the market of cars that before were taxed at up to 300% of the sticker price.
Ok ten million pesos for a Porshe is out of my league or seven million for a high end BMW but still if you've got the money and a feeling of wanting to flaunt it. Get the number from the picture and enjoy life a little!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
60 years of the Jeepney!!!
It has been almost 60 years since they first appeared - dug out of old long trenches in the Philippines .US war time regulations after WW2 were to bury- war
material - out of fear if all the vehicles left over from the pacific campaigns of WW2 were left it would mean that they might be on the roads of whatever country they were left in for another 30 years!!!Well looks like they doubled that expectation.
Most jeepneys now only have the frames- box frames of Old WW2 jeeps left some have a few fenders others have been changed drastically over the years and more are built from scrap .
definitely expiated with no air bags- big diesel engines - and louder than a Chinese new year when honking horsk's or roaring down roads.
the Jeepney- a leftover of another time keeps on rolling along!
rebuilt re colored the subject of movies and and means of getting around....
New rides for '07
Well lets see whats hot on Auto set....
Volvo Cars Unveils New XC90 at New York Auto Show
Not be outone Volvo - Retaining its focus on safety, the new XC90 is equipped with preventive safety features, including BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), the Park Assist Camera, and enhanced tracking headlights. Also in New York, the all-new Volvo S80, first introduced in Geneva in February, will be presented for the first time to the US market.
Meanwhile - Nissan extended its lineup by unveiling the all-new Infiniti G35 Sedan during the New York International Auto Show. Designers say the second generation G has a new 300-plus horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and offers numerous safety features like side-impact air bags. The new 2007 G Sedan will be available in November 2006 in 5 different models including the G35, G35 Journey and G35 Sport.
At the NY auto Show- Nissan unveiled its redesigned 2007 Maxima and all-new 2007 Altima during the New York International Auto Show. The sixth-generation 2007 Maxima, which goes on sale in the summer of 2006, offers a redesigned exterior and new technology features such as the Intelligent Key with Push Button Start. Exterior features include a new front grille, hood and headlights. Designers say the all-new 2007 Altima, which also offers a push button ignition, has improved rear and new front suspension designs that reduce torque steering and improve the car’s performance. Other convenience features include a rearview monitor and an advanced navigation system.
The 2007 Nissan Altima goes on sale in the fall of 2006 in the USA....
GM’s Saturn has doubled its 2007 lineup from three new models to six with the unveiling of its all-new 2007 AURA....
Pictured above is the - The SKY Red Line is a roadster convertible that offers StabiliTrak control – a system designed to keep vehicles stable on all road surfaces by applying force to the appropriate brakes.
But to me the one of the best entries for the market here has to be from Jeep ...
During the New York Auto Show, Chrysler Group unveils its first four-door Wrangler, the all-new 2007 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited.
Chrysler Group officials say the new SUV is not only the first four-door Wrangler but also the only four-door convertible on the market. The SUV, which offers the brand’s standard rough-terrain driving capabilities, is also fuel efficient and designed for safety with features like Electronic Roll Mitigation – a system that observes and monitors the vehicle’s speed and steering rate to estimate the potential for a rollover situation.
Volvo Cars Unveils New XC90 at New York Auto Show
Not be outone Volvo - Retaining its focus on safety, the new XC90 is equipped with preventive safety features, including BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), the Park Assist Camera, and enhanced tracking headlights. Also in New York, the all-new Volvo S80, first introduced in Geneva in February, will be presented for the first time to the US market.
Meanwhile - Nissan extended its lineup by unveiling the all-new Infiniti G35 Sedan during the New York International Auto Show. Designers say the second generation G has a new 300-plus horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and offers numerous safety features like side-impact air bags. The new 2007 G Sedan will be available in November 2006 in 5 different models including the G35, G35 Journey and G35 Sport.
At the NY auto Show- Nissan unveiled its redesigned 2007 Maxima and all-new 2007 Altima during the New York International Auto Show. The sixth-generation 2007 Maxima, which goes on sale in the summer of 2006, offers a redesigned exterior and new technology features such as the Intelligent Key with Push Button Start. Exterior features include a new front grille, hood and headlights. Designers say the all-new 2007 Altima, which also offers a push button ignition, has improved rear and new front suspension designs that reduce torque steering and improve the car’s performance. Other convenience features include a rearview monitor and an advanced navigation system.
The 2007 Nissan Altima goes on sale in the fall of 2006 in the USA....
GM’s Saturn has doubled its 2007 lineup from three new models to six with the unveiling of its all-new 2007 AURA....
Pictured above is the - The SKY Red Line is a roadster convertible that offers StabiliTrak control – a system designed to keep vehicles stable on all road surfaces by applying force to the appropriate brakes.
But to me the one of the best entries for the market here has to be from Jeep ...
During the New York Auto Show, Chrysler Group unveils its first four-door Wrangler, the all-new 2007 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited.
Chrysler Group officials say the new SUV is not only the first four-door Wrangler but also the only four-door convertible on the market. The SUV, which offers the brand’s standard rough-terrain driving capabilities, is also fuel efficient and designed for safety with features like Electronic Roll Mitigation – a system that observes and monitors the vehicle’s speed and steering rate to estimate the potential for a rollover situation.
