Publication: Business World

CAR MAKERS remain keen on raising a growth forecast for the year given improving sales.
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) reported that it had sold 12,304 units in April, a 4.5% gain from a year earlier but down 9.7% from March.

The result brought the four-month tally to 44,912 units, down 6.4% from last year. The drop, however, was less steep than the first quarter’s -9.9%.

In March, CAMPI said it was looking to sell 154,000 this year, up 8.75% from 2011’s 141,616.

“We are planning to revise [the] forecast due to increasing trend of sales,” CAMPI president Rommel R. Gutierrez told BusinessWorld in a text message.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. led the industry with 17,530 units sold for the January-to-April period and a market share of 39.03%, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with sales of 11,121 units and a 24.76% market share.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) was third with sales of 3,582 units while Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) was close behind with 3,510 units. This gave IPC a 7.98% market share and HCPI, 7.82%.

In fifth was Ford Motor Co. Phils., Inc., which including the Mazda brand sold 2,566 cars for a 5.71% market share. — KAMP

source: http://www.bworldonline.com

Publication: Business World

LONDON — Older drivers may now be able to stay on the road for longer thanks to new technology being developed by scientists that uses pictures of mail boxes or pubs as visual turning cues.

Nicknamed “Granny Nav,” the technology is being developed as part of a £12-million ($19.34-million) program by the UK’s Research Council to help the elderly better navigate while driving.

“For many older people, particularly those living alone or in rural areas, driving is essential for maintaining their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others,” Prof. Phil Blythe who led the research said.

“But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”

To figure out the best ways to help keep older people on the road, the Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University converted an electric car into a mobile laboratory called DriveLAB.

The research will be presented at an Aging, Mobility and Quality of Life conference in Michigan in June. — Reuters

Publication: Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – Engineered to maximize the loading capacity of your vehicle and to protect your personal belongings, Thule, the world’s foremost authority on bike rack systems encourages you to experience the beauty of Mother Nature from the saddle. Nothing beats the experience of listening to the birds, crickets and the wind in the trees as you move along a dirt road riding your bike and being one with nature.

Just mount the bike rack on your vehicle and secure the bicycle and you are ready to go. Thule bike racks have an easy snap on-snap off feature which lets you install it with ease. There’s no drilling required. It’s guaranteed safe from rust and is wind tunnel-tested to aerodynamically compliment the exterior design of any vehicle. Shown in photo is a Subaru Forester equipped with one of Thule’s newest roof-mounted bike rack. Thule’s line of load carriers is recommended for all trucks, SUVs, vans, wagons, subcompact sedans and larger sedans.

For more information on how to gear up and make your vacation a more adventurous one, load up and visit their display at the Thule-EGR Showrooms at the Ground Floor of the Banco de Oro Bldg. 2, Ortigas Avenue, West Greenhills, San Juan, beside the Segafredo Zanetti Café, with tel. numbers 744-6367 and Pasong Tamo 892-7847 or visit their website

Publication: Business Mirror

THE local nonlife industry is expected to post higher-than anticipated premium growth averaging more than 16 percent this year, estimates by the Insurance Commission showed.

This translates to premium sales of at least P100 billion and comes in the wake of premium sales in 2011 totaling only P85.8 billion.

The forecast premium sales also defy the forecast real premium growth of only 1.5 percent this year set by the global reinsurer Swiss Re and comes in the wake of a study conducted by Standard & Poor’s calling on nonlife insurers in Asia Pacific to put in “more stringent underwriting and risk controls.”

Real premium growth takes into account the debilitating impact of inflation on premium sales generation.

Standard & Poor’s noted the growing frequency and severity of natural catastrophes undermining the credit profiles of many nonlife insurers in the region and highlighted the importance of more stringent risk management in a study, titled “Asia-Pacific NonLife Insurance Outlook: Tighter Risk Controls are Crucial as the Markets Continue To Grow.”

“We no longer have positive outlooks on any of the 12 nonlife markets in Asia Pacific that we cover. The pace of economic growth in the region is slowing and volatility in the investment markets [has] increased over the past few years. But most markets have sufficient fundamentals to warrant stable outlooks. For individual companies, capital levels may need strengthening,” S&P credit analysts Paul Clarkson said.

Clarkson’s comments come in the wake of the capital-buildup program sponsored by Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima mandating minimum capital of P1 billion by 2016.
Clarkson said the sovereign credit standing of Malaysia and China have recently been downgraded from “positive” to “stable” to reflect tougher economic climates in those countries.

“The increasing complexity of risks in Asia Pacific supports calls for more stringent underwriting and risk controls. The region has a rapid buildup of assets that need protection. Tighter risk controls would help promote more profitable growth for regional nonlife insurers,” Clarkson said.

Global nonlife insurance real premium growth rate was seen averaging 2.6 percent this year by Swiss Re.

Nonlife insurers in the industrialized countries were to post real premium growth of 1.7 percent, while emerging markets nonlife insurers should post growth averaging 7 percent this year.

Developed Asia, which groups Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, was seen posting real premium growth averaging 3.5 percent.

Emerging Asia, which groups the Philippines along with China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand and Vietnam, was seen growing by 10.6 percent this year.

WHAT a niche to own, and what a niche to live up to, indeed—however they choose to word it, a BMW will always be known as the ultimate driving machine.  With the exciting new releases of the 6 and the 3 Series, the German automaker has upped the ante once again, and especially on itself, for its entire current lineup should carry it over right down to its entry-level nameplate, the 1 Series.

Introduced eight years ago, the first 1 had to contend with BMW enthusiasts’ issue with it, saying it wasn’t a “proper” BMW and that it’d dilute what the brand stood for.  Healthy sales proved otherwise, but this writer does recall understanding that sentiment after testing it back then.  Though the trademark tight handling was there, it felt more compliant than enthusiastic in terms of its overall drive.  It was also quite cramped, and the interior design and amenities made it feel like it was just a notch above a Japanese car’s.  Of course, that shouldn’t have been the case.

In the auto industry, eight years is a long time.  From then ’til now, an extensive list of technological advancements has been introduced, and BMW is among the brands with a lot to be credited for.  So, it makes perfect sense why it took that much time to come up with the second-generation 1.  It just had to be twice as good at the very least, and it looks like they’ve succeeded in making it happen.  Glad that it was the four-cylinder, 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo-diesel variant with the eight-speed automatic transmission that was set for evaluation, I put it through its paces right away. BMW is certainly among the few brands that have changed the face of the diesel engine, and made it a very viable option over a Petrol engine on a performance aspect alone.  Laying on the weight on the throttle as soon as there was a clearing, its robust rear-wheel-driven 320 Newton-meters of torque kicked in from the low end of the tach, and firmly but smoothly shot the car forward at a remarkable rate. There was no lag on the acceleration, shifting was spot-on and seamless, and the car was up to three-digit speed in what felt like just a couple of blinks.  Nowadays that’s typical of a BMW, but impressive nonetheless. The clearing didn’t last long, and dicing through moving traffic posed an opportunity to get a deeper feel of its handling. Sure enough, its perfect 50:50 weight distribution provided for exceptional balance and agility—you can almost plot an imaginary line in between and around a few cars ahead and slice through it with the precision of a surgeon and the mischief of a 12-year-old. This time around, its performance certainly wasn’t just compliant, it’s become an influence.

Retracting my concentration from outside the car back into its cabin, it’s hard not to notice how much the interior has leveled up. The dashboard and center console define the balance between uncomplicated elegance and the hint of high-performance. Monochromatic certainly isn’t boring on this interior, for it’s a crisp mix of black leather, gray textured fabric on the seats, acrylic-glass black accents and matte aluminum.  This would undoubtedly merit the manly man’s nod for style. Interfacing with the controls is a pleasant experience. Pertinent commands are accomplished intuitively for telephony and entertainment, and checking vehicle stats is convenient via its multifunction steering wheel and iDrive.  Graphics on the information display are concise and surprisingly clear even under stark daylight, and everything seems to have been designed and laid out so as not to distract the driver from what matters most.

Enjoying the premiums of abundant power, plush comfort and superb handling of the 118d, you probably wouldn’t be too finicky about fuel efficiency. Well take the cake and eat it, for it’s rated to consume only 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers on the average, plus you’ve got a driving mode selector that enables you to choose between Eco Pro, for a more fuel-efficient drive; Standard; and, of course, Sport mode, which probably stands for default to a lot of people. The auto engine cutoff and start feature might turn out to be disconcerting at times, during heavy traffic, for example, but fortunately it can be disabled. Being a five-door hatch, it’s also very versatile—rear seats fold down flat for expansive loading space.  The new 1 Series is 85mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor and while that doesn’t sound much, the improvement in passenger room can surely be felt.

The rear end is art in simplicity, its profile sleek and sporty—and those subtle rear-wheel haunches emphasize it…though the front end might take a little warming up to for some.  This hot German hatch comes in two variants—the Urban for P2.49 million, and the Sport for P2.69 million.  One spirited drive with the 1 Series 118d should make you realize that sheer driving pleasure can come in a small package. Now I can’t imagine how it would be like, less three doors plus an M badge.  Hmmm.…

source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/motoring/25429-1-for-the-book

Direct Link, the only direct-to-consumer provider of car insurance via call center, yesterday announced its Trip to Boracay promo, which will run from March to May 2012.

The promo is open to all new policyholders signed up between March and May; each is entitled to a chance to be one of the five (5) winners of a free Boracay package for two.

Since its establishment in 1998, the car insurer has introduced a number exciting perks from free E-pass and EC Tag, to free AOG coverage, thousands worth of gasoline cards, hefty premium discounts, and local and out-of-the country trips.

For 2012, Direct Link has prepared a menu of surprises, with the goal of elevating insurance awareness and promoting responsible driving.

To stay updated with Direct Link’s latest treats, call 813-LINK (5465) or log on to www.directlink.com.ph.

About Direct Link
Direct Link’s insurance provider, UCPB General Insurance Co. Inc. (UCPB GEN), is among the Top 10 non-life insurers in the Philippines and is known for its reliability and outstanding track record in claims settlement.

Direct Link comprehensive car insurance, on top of the standard benefits, comes with: FREE LTO registration assistance, FREE 24/7 Nationwide Rescue Assistance that includes emergency towing, onsite repair, alternative transport and hotel accommodation, emergency message relay and critical information referral; and FREE home referral assistance for handyman professionals i.e. locksmith, pest control, home movers, plumbers and electricians.

Publication: Business Mirror

INDUSTRY leaders urged the government to allow insurers to classify in the manner of banks whose paid-up capital and the business they may conduct is directly linked to shareholder contribution.

Social Security System Chairman Emilio de Quiros Jr., also former president of the Philippine Life Insurers Association or PLIA, proposed the reclassification as a solution to the on-going squabble over how much capital insurers must have so the ensuring public always get what they pay for.

Lawyer Alfonso Lat of the Chartered Adjusters raised this point on Friday as colleagues under the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association or Pira mounted an 11-hour effort to keep capital and risk portfolio together from an unrelenting government move equating public welfare and security with actual capital contribution.

“Former PLIA President and now SSS Chairman Emilio de Quiros Jr. even suggested the possibility of classifying insurance companies with the corresponding capitalization requirement under each category similar to the banking industry [which has universal banks, commercial banks, thrift banks and rural banks]. This way, small and medium-sized companies who may choose to offer limited products and tap only certain specific markets are not imposed the same burden as that required from big companies,” Lat said in a letter he sent to President Aquino last month.

He argued imposing the same requirement across all types of insurers regardless of risk profiles is the same as “asking rural banks to have the same capitalization as universal banks.”

Among banks, so-called universal banks which are permitted to engage in non-allied undertakings like insurance or real estate have a different capital structure from the lesser rated regular commercial or thrift lenders.
In addition to observing threshold capital, regulators impose a graduated system of capital reckoning depending on the quantity and quality of risks the lenders assume.

“Secretary Cesar Purisima points out that capital build-up will actually develop bigger companies that will have more capacity to accept risks and thus result in greater protection to policy owners. But then, what would happen to small players who serve the needs of individuals and small- to medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] with very limited insurance budgets? Many of the smaller insurers have focused on the less risky personal lines of insurance such that their present level of capital with proper reinsurance facilities can be deemed adequate to cope with the risk assumed, which is in line with the concept of risk-based capital for insurers and reinsurers,” Lat said.

He refuted claims non-life insurers are undercapitalized, saying that capital adequacy or solvency may also be measured in terms of leveraged ratios, for instance, rather than threshold capital only.

While there are several, the different ratios measure how changes in company debt, equity, assets and interest expense affect income and therefore its long-haul profitability and viability.

Pira executives such as Mitch Rellosa of Fortune General, and Mario Valdez, Ming Jacinto and David Mercado all argued that capital is often linked to the size of the economy and that as the economy grows so do the need for larger capital.

All said while the bulk of Pira members are now able to meet the P175-million threshold demanded of industry players, they still prefer this was linked to risk taken rather than as blanket requirement everyone must observe.

Think all that comes with getting older is more responsibility, wrinkles, and backaches? Here’s something that might ease the pain: as your age goes up, typically, your insurance rates goes down.

Yes, the further away from that rebellious teen period you are, the better your rates will likely be. That’s because insurers see mature drivers as less risky, says Loretta Worters, a vice president with the Insurance Information Institute (III).
Read on for a rundown of how your (or your kid’s) age affects your rate, and what you can do to help lower it. Your rate, that is. You’re pretty much stuck with your age group.

Age 16 to 18

You’ve probably heard of the “terrible twos” of infanthood, when toddlers drive their parents bonkers. Well, just wait till little Johnny or Sarah get their first license and are added to their parents’ insurance policy.
“In fact, if you have a teen on your insurance, you can most likely expect to pay an additional 100 percent, or more,” says Worters.
Why? Because of the amount of driving experience teens have, says Worters. “They have very little experience on the road and take more chances than any other age group. They are involved in more accidents than any other age group other than people over the age of 75,” she says.
What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*
•    Make sure your teen keeps up a “B” average in school to qualify for any good student discounts.
•    Buy a car that is less expensive to insure for you and/or your teen, such as a used car or one with safety features that may result in discounts. (Ask for a list from your insurer.)

Age 18 to 22

Ah, that wonderful time when your kids go away to college and you actually have a shot at some peace and quiet. And potentially lower car insurance rates.
“If kids go to college and move more than 100 miles away from home, you may see some savings,” says Worters.
That savings, she says, could be 30 to 50 percent or more. The reason is because the insurer understands that as a student away at school, your son or daughter will only be driving your car on school breaks or holidays.
But, if your child wants to take a car to college with them, then that’s another story. In that case, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) “Consumer Alert: College Insurance Needs,” recommends contacting your insurer about the rates for the city and state your child will be attending college. Then you can decide whether or not to keep your child’s car on the family policy.
What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*
•    Again, make sure your child qualifies for any good student discounts.
•    Many college towns require very little driving, so low-mileage discounts could help you save.

Age 25 to 39

Good news for people in this group: these are the years when people typically settle into a career. And that spells more responsibility and less risk, according to Worters. The result is usually a lower car insurance rate, as long as the driver didn’t pile up a bunch of accidents or tickets.
“Insurance rates for good drivers generally drop considerably after age 25,” verifies the Texas Department of Insurance’s website. Of course, if you’re male, says Worters, you’ll pay more than women because statistically, men are involved in more serious accidents. But there are circumstances that can bring men’s rates down, too.
“If you are 25, male, and married you will see your rates decrease. The view is if you are married, you are less likely to take risks than a 25-year-old single male,” says Worters.

What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*
•    Do everything you can to keep your driving record free of tickets or accidents. According to the III article, “How Can I Save Money on Auto Insurance?,” good driving discounts – like no accidents in three years or no moving violations in three years – could help you save.
•    Maintain good credit. In many states, insurers use your credit score as one factor to determine your rate, according to the same III article, which notes that bad credit could result in higher rates.

Age 40 to 60s

With age comes wisdom. And lower insurance premiums – most likely. Yes, when you turn 40, you’re a little mellower, which generally results in better driving habits and usually, lower insurance rates.
“Age 40 to 50 is when you see your best rates,” says Worters. “People are more mature. They have driving experience under all kinds of conditions and it shows in their driving skills, and consequently their rates.”
In fact, according to NAIC’s list of “Special Auto Insurance Considerations for Empty Nesters,” mature drivers – ages 55 to 70 – may be eligible for discounts.

What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*
•    Take a driver safety course such as the one offered through AARP, which could qualify you for a discount from some insurers, notes the NAIC list.
•    Ask for any special discounts for seniors, which can include low-mileage discounts or an agreement to only drive during daylight hours, according to the NAIC list.
*Discounts information taken from the Insurance Information Institute, unless otherwise noted. Not all discounts available from all insurance carriers.

When it comes to getting an auto insurance policy, things can get surprisingly personal.
From your career and marital status to your address and car model, auto insurance agencies are determined to get the inside scoop on you.

Why are these personal tidbits so important?
Because, who you are and what you do has a direct affect on your auto insurance rate.
Keep reading to learn about some personal factors that affect your auto insurance rate…

Factor #1 – Credit Score

Being punctual about paying your bills on time doesn’t just help you avoid those frustrating late fees; in most states, it can also help you avoid a costly auto insurance rate.
How so? Because your credit score is one factor that determines your insurance rate.
“There is a strong correlation between credit and accidents,” says Susan E. Voss, president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Think you’re paying too much for auto insurance? Click to compare quotes from top carriers.
This means that if your credit score is low, your auto insurer will view you as more likely to file a claim, and your insurance rate will likely be higher. Likewise, if your credit score is high, you’re seen as more responsible and will likely have a lower rate.
So if your credit score is low, consider taking steps to improve it. If your credit score is high, keep it up.

Factor #2 – Gender

Thought your parents were the only ones who cared about your X and Y chromosomes? Oddly enough, your auto insurer cares too.
According to NAIC, auto insurers use gender as a factor to determine your auto insurance rate because statistics show that men and women have different driving records.
And while society has labeled women with the stereotype of being terrible drivers, statistics paint another picture. According to a 2009 study conducted by Quality Planning, an auto insurance analytics company, males are at least 50 percent more likely to be cited for reckless driving than females.
As a result, men will likely pay a higher premium than women.
Want to see if you qualify for lower rates? Click to get auto insurance quotes now.

Factor #3 – Occupation

If you carry the title of engineer, scientist, or mathematician, consider yourself lucky because your career can offer more than just a nice paycheck.
“Many companies offer discounts to people with certain degrees, such as engineers, scientists, and mathematicians,” according to J.D. Power and Associates, a marketing information service group. “Historically people in these professions have been less likely to get in accidents.”
J.D. Power also notes that certified teachers and people in the military can also receive discounts on their auto insurance rate.
In this way, if your occupational group has statistically proven to be responsible drivers, you’ll likely get a discount. However, if your group has a history of one too many fender benders, your rate may take a hike in price.

Factor #4 – Marital Status

For better or worse, your marital status also matters to auto insurers.
“Married people show lower rates of claim,” according to NAIC, and as a result, generally have lower auto insurance rates. Insurance companies give discounts to those in marital bliss because claims histories show they’re less likely to file claims than single people.

However, it’s important to remember that once you get married, you share everything. This includes your spouse’s driving record.
NAIC advises that “if your spouse has a poor driving record, this could adversely affect your premiums.”
As you can see, even when it comes to insurance, being married has its ups and downs.

Factor #5 – Age

“With age comes wisdom” isn’t just a saying; it’s a fact insurers consider when determining your auto insurance rate.
“In general, mature drivers have fewer accidents than less experienced drivers, particularly teenagers. So insurers generally charge more if teenagers or young people below age 25 drive your car,” according to the Insurance Information Institute, an organization focused on improving public understanding of insurance.
The Insurance Information Institute also notes that many drivers over 55 can qualify for a discount if they complete an accident prevention course.
When it comes to auto insurance, it’s important to remember that there are a number of surprising factors that can affect your rate. So, make sure to keep up-to-date with the industry by doing research and shopping around to get the best rate possible.

After you make your resolution to save money on your auto insurance, you should do some basic things that will help you save on your auto insurance policy. Begin by learning to be a safer driver and make the resolution to be more considerate on the road. After all, your driving record has an impact on your auto insurance rate, so you will want to make sure that you do what you can to either keep it blemish free or improve it. You can even go so far as to take a safe driving class. In fact, many auto insurance providers offer discounts for people who take these defensive driving classes.

After you determine that you will drive more defensively and courteously on the road, then you may want to look at other things you can do to get discounts on your auto insurance. Have you checked to see if your auto insurance provider offers a discount for people in your profession? You can even encourage your teen or college-age driver to do better in school to qualify for a good student discount.

Also, you may want to consider anti-theft devices for your vehicle, as auto insurance providers often offer significant discounts for vehicles with anti-theft devices. Your auto insurance rate is determined by risk, and anti-theft devices help decrease the risk that your vehicle will be stolen. Also, if you have more than one vehicle, or you own or rent your home, then you may want to discuss multi-policy discounts with your auto insurance provider. If you have more than one policy with one company, then you can save significantly on your auto insurance.

Still, the best way to save on your auto insurance is to shop around. As the year starts anew, you may want to explore your options for auto insurance policies. Evaluate your current policy and your budget to determine if you have enough auto insurance coverage to protect your assets. Decide if there are coverage options that you want to add to your auto insurance policy or if you have levels of coverage that you may want to decrease.

Once you know if you want to make changes to your auto insurance policy, then consider obtaining several quotes to compare what you are paying for auto insurance against what others have to offer. Often web-based auto insurance brokers allow you to obtain a number of quotes by filling out one form, so you can get several quotes with just a few minutes of your time. Comparing auto insurance quotes is often the best way to save money on your auto insurance.

No matter if you decide to change your auto insurance or seek out discounts, make it one of your goals in this new year to save more money on your auto insurance. This way, you will have little bit more in your checkbook to finance your other New Years’ resolutions like the gym, organic food, and more.