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Anand is still rapid king

11th Tal Memorial
Moscow, Russia
March 2-4, 2018

Final Standings

1. Viswanathan Anand IND 2776, 6.0/9

2-4. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE 2809, Sergey Karjakin RUS 2763, Hikaru Nakamura USA 2787, 5.0/9

5-6. Boris Gelfand ISR 2695, Alexander Grischuk RUS 2767, 4.5/9

7-8. Daniil Dubov RUS 2701, Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2800, 4.0/9

9-10. Peter Svidler RUS 2760, Iam Nepomniachtchi RUS 2751, 3.5/9

Average Rating 2761 Category 21

Time Control: 25 minutes play to finish with 10 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1.

The “Tiger of Madras” is still out on the prowl! After winning the World Rapid Championship in Riyadh last December 2017 Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand emphatically confirmed his worthiness by winning the Tal Memorial Rapid title.

Since the year 2000 Vishy had been involved in one way or the other with the world classical chess championship. He lost his title in 2013 to Magnus Carlsen and then again in their 2014 rematch.

Anand did not qualify for this year’s candidates’ tournament and so for the first time since the turn of the century he is out of the cycle. Some people wrote him off already but he proved his high class by impressive performances in the Rapid circuit. Take a look at this combinative finish in the last round.

Anand, Viswanathan (2805) — Grischuk, Alexander (2792) [B31]
11th Tal Memorial Moscow (8.4), 04.03.2018

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

Anand had 5 Whites and 4 Blacks in this tournament. With White he stuck to 1.e4. Mamedyarov replied with the French, Kramnik and Nakamura responded the classical way with 1…e5 after which we had the Italian Game, while Dubov and Grischuk essayed the Sicilian Defense. Anand responded with the Sicilian Rossolimo both times and won both games.

3…g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6

In round 1 Dubov responded with 4…bxc6 in a recent chessbase theoretical by GM Leonid Kritz he explains that “on the move Black has two basic ways of playing. Both are connected with the development of the black knight. The more active continuation, which leads to dynamic play, is 6…Nf6. The second possibility is based on the idea of setting up a fortress-like position. This is achieved by bringing the knight via h6 to f7. To do this, Black plays 6…Nh6 and then in whatever order 0–0, f6, Nf6. The resulting position may be very stable, but it is also very passive.”

Going passive and waiting for a mistake might work against some players, but Anand goes on to prove that such an approach is like waving a red flag before his eyes. 5.0–0 Bg7 6.Re1 Nh6 7.c3 0–0 8.h3 f5 9.e5 Nf7 10.d3 a5 11.Bf4 e6 12.Qd2 h6 13.h4 Re8 14.c4 d6 15.Nc3 Ra7 16.Na4 g5 17.hxg5 hxg5 18.Nxg5 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.Nf3 Bf6 21.Nxe5 Rh7 22.Qf4 Bg5 23.Qg3 Rg7 24.Qf3 Qd6 25.Re2 Bf6 26.Rae1 Rg5 27.Qe3 f4 28.Qxf4 Rf8 29.Re3 Rf7 30.Rg3 Rxg3 31.Qxg3+ Rg7 32.Qe3 Rg5 33.Nf3 Rf5 34.Nc3 Bd4 35.Ne4 1–0 (35) Anand,V (2776)-Dubov,D (2701) Moscow RUS 2018.

5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0–0 8.Be3

White can go for either kingside or queenside castling. I guess this is a case of what mood you are in.

8…b6 9.Qd2

Telegraphing his intention to castle queenside.

9…e5

Black has a lot of possible counters here. One that I like is to bring his knight to d4 via Nf6–e8–f7–e6–d4.

10.Bh6

Nothing is accomplished by 10.Nxe5 after 10…Nxe4 11.Nxf7 Nxd2 12.Nxd8 Nf3+! 13.gxf3 Rxd8 White’s shattered kingside pawns give Black ample compensation for his pawn minus.

10…Qd6 11.0–0–0 a5 12.g4

White will follow this up with Nc3–e2–g3.

12…a4 13.Kb1 Be6 14.Ne2 b5 15.Ng3 Rfd8

Black will be playing …Bh8 next so White immediately exchanges bishops.

16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Qg5 Nd7 18.Nf5+ Bxf5 19.gxf5

White’s attack is faster than Black’s but still th ere is nothing decisive yet.

19…a3 20.b3 h6 21.Qg3 Kh7 22.Rhg1 Qf6 23.h4!

Giving up a pawn for the attack. If Black doesn’t accept it then White will continue 24.fxg6+ fxg6 25.h5 followed by Qh3, Nf3–h4–f5 with the attack nevertheless but this time with no material investment.

23…gxf5 24.Qh3 f4 25.Rg5!? Qe6

Of course not 25…hxg5?? 26.hxg5+

26.Rf5 Rg8? <D>

The decisive blunder! After the game the two players discussed 26…Kh8 and it seems that White’s attack is stymied by this move. After 27.Qg4 Nf6 28.Qg1 Rg8³ it seems White’s attack is at an end.

Position after 26…Rg8

27.Ng5+! hxg5 28.Rxf7+!

I have seen the video of the game and after Anand executed this move Grischuk was obviously surprised and taken aback.

28…Qxf7 29.hxg5+ Kg7 30.Qh6# 1–0

A lot of players tune their openings to the time controls. For example I play a lot of bullet (1-minute games) chess and have amassed a very big positive score with this:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Ng5 Nh6

[5…Ne5 Most players respond 6.Nxf7 Nxf7 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qxc5 and we have a bad version of the same line for Black — his knight on g8 is much better positioned on c6]

6.Nxf7 Nxf7 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qxc5

If this was a regular tournament game then we can say that White is over-extended. His queen is positioned where the Black forces can harass it and he has not yet castled. I have a great score with the line (remember, this is in bullet chess) because oftentimes I get to castle kingside and then push the f-pawn forward, making the Black King’s life really miserable. However, I would not dare play it in a game with normal time controls since with a little bit of care Black undoubtedly can get a big advantage.

In the following game Nakamura, a very fast player, tries out a move which I don’t think he would have considered in a normal game. Dubov refuted it over the board.

Dubov, Daniil (2663) — Nakamura, Hikaru (2820) [A18]
11th Tal Memorial Moscow (2.3), 02.03.2018

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5

This system was championed by Salo Flohr and Vladas Mikenas in the first half of the 20th century and bears their name.

4…d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.d4 e5 8.Nf3

Accepting the pawn-sacrifice gives Black lead in development: 8.Qe2 Be7! 9.dxe5 Qg6 10.Qe3 Nc6 11.Ne2 Bg4 12.f3 (12.Nd4 Bf5!?) 12…Be6 13.Nf4 Qf5 14.Nxe6 Qxe6 Black has compensation for the pawn minus but nothing more. In Stohl,I (2560)-Li Wenliang (2425) Beijing 1996 the game was agreed drawn right here.

8…Nc6 9.Be2

The main response here is 9.Bg5 Let me show you a Wesley So game. 9…Qg6 10.d5 Nb8 11.h4 h6 12.Be3 Nd7 13.h5 Qd6 14.Bd3 (I’d say White is already in difficulties here. For example where will his king go?) 14…Be7 15.Nd2 Nf6 16.f3 0–0 17.Ne4 Nxe4 18.fxe4 Qa3! 19.Qb3 Qa5 20.Be2 Bc5 21.Bd2 f5! 22.Rf1 fxe4 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.0–0–0 Kg8 25.Rf1 Bd7 26.Kb1 Qb6 27.Ka1 Rf8 Wesley is a healthy pawn up and nailed down the victory on the 69th move. Nepomniachtchi,I (2730)-So,W (2744) Bergamo 2014 CBM 162 0–1 69.

9…exd4 10.Bg5 Qg6 11.0–0 dxc3

Most people would have played Be7 and castled here. I believe Nakamura would not have played this risky move in a game with longer time controls. He probably went over this line with a chess engine which recommended (try it!) 11…dxc3 12.Bd3 Qd6 13.Re1+ Be7 with an equal game and made a mental note to test it in his next blitz game. If he had more time to study the position he would surely have seen Dubov’s stunning reply.

12.Bd3 Qd6 13.Re1+ Be7 14.c5!

Giving up a third pawn.

14…Qxc5 15.Bxe7 Nxe7 16.Re5

Gaining this tempo to possibly double on the e-file is worth the pawn!

16…Qd6 17.Bb5+ Kf8

Not 17…Bd7 18.Bxd7+ Qxd7 19.Qxd7+ Kxd7 20.Rd1+ Ke8 21.Rde1.

18.Qe2 f6 19.Rd1 fxe5 20.Nxe5 Bf5

Black has to give up his queen.

If 20…Qf6 21.Rd8#;

Or 20…Nd5 21.Rxd5 Qxd5 22.Ng6+ Kf7 (22…hxg6 23.Qe8#) 23.Bc4.

21.Rxd6 cxd6 22.Nd7+ Kf7 23.Qc4+ Be6 24.Qf4+ Nf5 25.g4 Rad8 26.gxf5 Bxd7 27.Bc4+ d5 28.Bxd5+ Kf6 29.Qd6+ Kxf5 30.Bc4 Rhe8 31.Bd3+ Kg5 32.h4+! Kh5

[32…Kxh4 33.Qg3+ Kh5 34.f4!]

33.Qg3 Bg4 34.f3 Rd4 35.Kf2 c2 36.Bxc2 Rf8 1–0

Nakamura resigns before Dubov can play 37.Qe5+

Mr. Rey Gamboa, a former top executive of Shell and one of the great Philippine chess patrons, many years ago saw the potential of chess at the faster time controls. This was the inspiration behind the Shell Active Chess Championship. He knew then that the “long game” will soon be replaced by the faster variety. I believe we will see this trend continue in the coming years.

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

All eyes on Woods at the Masters

Okay, so here’s how the fourth round of the Valspar Championship came and went. Rookie Corey Conners needed only three holes to cough up his lead, and by the time he walked off the 72nd green, he had tumbled all the way to 16th. In his place atop the field was an in-the-40s tour veteran whose career resembled a roller-coaster ride; in between the former All-American’s victories were bouts with injury, a divorce, and general self-doubt.

In short, yesterday’s developments at Copperhead didn’t go as conventional wisdom foresaw. After all, Tiger Woods didn’t win. Paul Casey did. They may have shared the same canvas as evidenced by the similarities in the general descriptions of the state of their respective games, but they most certainly painted with different colors. And for one weekend, striking red was bettered by subdued green. Forget the anticipation of the 14-time major titleholder beginning the final 18 just a stroke off the top of the leaderboard. Never mind the storybook ending for which it would have made.

Certainly, Casey deserved to prevail. It helped that he teed off some 80 minutes ahead, his 50-to-one odds of taking the tournament reflecting how far his score was. He then negotiated the course with no pressure, far from the eight-deep throngs that followed Woods’ exploits as part of the penultimate pairing. And with conditions at Innisbrook providing ample opportunities to go low, he made the most of his situation. He made the turn at three under for the round, surged to the top with three consecutive birdies from the 11th, and kept his lead with pars the rest of the way.

The wait in the locker room was nerve-racking, to say the least. At some points, Casey thought Woods would keep a date with fate. At others, he fretted that Patrick Reed would capitalize on chances. When the battlesmoke cleared, however, his score held up. For the first time since 2009, he was on a United States PGA Tour podium anew. And, given his showing in recent memory, the outcome wasn’t really a surprise; he led the circuit in consecutive cuts made at 27, and among them were three Top-Five finishes in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and 11 Top 10s in the last year.

In a nutshell, the Valspar Championship provided the fireworks it promised when Woods committed to play. And as he treks to Bay Hill this week, all eyes will be on how he keeps his momentum going heading into the Masters. Meanwhile, Casey gets to savor a hard-earned triumph made all the more sweet by the threat of a living legend.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Rollback for fuel prices tomorrow

Oil companies are rolling back the price of petroleum products this week after two straight weeks of increases.

Gasoline will be reduced by P0.35 per liter, diesel will be down by P0.55 per liter and kerosene will decrease by a hefty P1.20 a liter, the companies that sent their advisories said.

Seaoil Philippines, Inc. will be among the first to roll back prices at 12.01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13.

“This is to reflect movements in the international petroleum market,” Seaoil said.

The rest will be cutting prices at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Last week, gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices moved up by P0.50, P0.30, P0.80 per liter, respectively. — Victor V. Saulon

FDIs hit record high in 2017, surpass BSP forecast

Foreign direct investments (FDIs) to the Philippines hit a record high in 2017, breaching the central bank’s forecast by a fourth.

FDIs totaled $10.05 billion last year, up 21.4% from the $828 million recorded in 2016, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a statement on Monday, March 12.

The full-year tally was larger than the BSP’s $8 billion forecast.

“Investors continue to view the country as a favorable investment destination on the back of the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects,” the central bank said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Stocks in Asia rally after US jobs; yen in focus

Asian stocks gained as trade-war concerns took a backseat to economic optimism following a U.S. jobs report Friday that showed the American economy continued to strengthen without the prior month’s rapid wage gains that stoked inflation fears.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index of stocks climbed, with markets from Tokyo to Sydney higher. The S&P 500 Index rose Friday and the Nasdaq Composite Index soared to a fresh record high after U.S. non-farm payrolls data topped forecasts. The yen was in focus thanks to political concerns surrounding Japan’s Finance Ministry, run by a stalwart ally of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose administration has endorsed a weak currency. The yen came off its highs when the minister, Taro Aso, said he’s not resigning.

Strong economic indicators have bolstered the Federal Reserve’s case for higher interest rates and given fresh impetus to the bull market in global equities that’s now nine years old. A slew of data out of China this week and readings on U.S. inflation and retail sales could provide more insight into the strength of global growth. Appetite for risk assets was boosted at the end of last week as U.S. President Donald Trump accepted an invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the narrower-than-expected tariff plan from the White House eased speculation of a trade war.

In Japan, debate is emerging over the political future of Aso, after his ministry altered documents tied to a controversial land sale. Aso has been Abe’s deputy since he took office in December 2012, and is seen as a key backer of the Abenomics program. Aso in a press briefing Monday declined to comment on his responsibility, but said he wasn’t thinking of resigning.

Elsewhere, Bitcoin climbed back toward $10,000 after sliding 18 percent last week. Crude oil traded nudged higher above $62 a barrel after last week’s advance.

Here’s what’s coming up this week:

China data on industrial production, retail sales and fixed-asset investment all out on Wednesday are likely to point to slower growth, according to Bloomberg Economics forecasts. Retail sales probably rose 10 percent from a year earlier, while industrial production growth is expected to have slowed to 6.2 percent. Key indicators for the Fed dominate the economic agenda in the coming week. Headline inflation may have edged up to 2.2 percent in February from 2.1 percent, though consensus before Tuesday’s report is for core inflation to remain at 1.8 percent. The other main data point will be Wednesday’s retail sales numbers, which are expected to show a significant rebound from weather-induced declines in January. New Zealand GDP data is out Thursday.

These are the main moves in markets:

Stocks

The Topix index gained 1.4 percent and the Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 1.4 percent as of 2:15 p.m. in Tokyo. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.6 percent. The Kospi index in Seoul gained 1 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 1.5 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.6 percent. S&P 500 Index futures rose 0.4 percent. The underlying gauge jumped 1.7 percent Friday. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 1.5 percent.

Currencies

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell 0.1 percent. The yen rose 0.3 percent to 106.55 per dollar. The Aussie dollar gained 0.3 percent to 78.69 U.S. cents, its highest in about two weeks, after Australia was exempted from U.S. metal tariffs. The euro added 0.1 percent to $1.2321. The pound was little changed at $1.3858.

Bonds

The yield on 10-year Treasuries rose almost one basis point to 2.90 percent, extending a four basis point advance on Friday. Australia’s 10-year bond yield rose about four basis points to 2.82 percent.

Commodities

West Texas Intermediate crude was little changed at $62.05 a barrel. It climbed 3.2 percent on Friday. Gold was little changed at $1,323.46 an ounce. — Bloomberg

Philippine judges, court employees call on top justice to resign

A group of judges and four court employees’ organizations called on Monday for the Philippines’ chief justice to step down and make a “sacrifice” to restore peace and order in the judiciary, a plea she strongly rejected.

Maria Lourdes Sereno, the first woman to head the 15-member Supreme Court, faces impeachment over accusations she concealed wealth by not filing asset declaration statements for several years before she was appointed.

Sereno, 57, refuses to quit amid what she calls bullying by “those in power”, which she says is threatening the independence of the judiciary.

“It is time to let go. Please let the judiciary move on,” says a statement from five groups seeking Sereno’s resignation, read during a Supreme Court flag-raising ceremony attended by several judges.

Sereno is disliked by President Rodrigo Duterte and has voted against several of his controversial proposals, including extending martial law in restive Mindanao, and allowing late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to have a grave at a cemetery for national heroes. The Supreme Court allowed both.

Duterte has accused her of being used by opponents who want to overthrow him, but he has denied having a hand in the impeachment of Sereno, who was appointed in 2012 by his predecessor, Benigno Aquino.

The impeachment proceedings in Congress, which is dominated by Duterte’s allies, “have put the entire judiciary in disrepute”, says the statement, read by the court’s employees’ group head, Erwin Ocson.

The House justice committee last week found probable cause to impeach Sereno. She reiterated on Monday that she would not resign and said other judges had resisted pressure to join the campaign against her, so they could “maintain the dignity and independence of the judiciary”.

“While the call to resign appeals to my love for the judiciary, it is also out of love for the judiciary that I must continue,” Sereno told reporters.

If the House votes to impeach her, the 23 sitting Senators would serve as judges in a trial at the upper house of the bicameral legislature. — Reuters

Ayala boosts 2018 capex to P249 billion

The Ayala group is expanding its capital expenditure budget by nearly half to support the expansion of its business units after growing profits for the sixth consecutive year.

In a statement, Ayala Corp. announced it will allocate P249 billion for capex this year, an improvement of 44% from a year ago, to finance its own investment program as well as the growth strategies of its real estate, telecommunications and water utility units.

Ayala netted P30.3 billion last year, up 16% from the previous year due to the double-digit growth of its property and power businesses. — Krista Angela M. Montealegre

AIM expects new supercomputer to boost data science, drive innovation

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

ASIAN Institute of Management (AIM) is eyeing to increase more innovation-driven projects in both the public and private sector with the launching of a research and development facility housing the country’s fastest supercomputer.

In partnership with Taiwan-based Acer Inc., the institute on Thursday inaugurated the Analytics, Computing, and Complex Sytems Laboratory (ACCeSs@AIM), the country’s first data sciences corporate laboratory.

ACCeSs@AIM executive managing director Christopher P. Monterola in his speech said that they are hoping to spearhead various changes in how private business and the government operate amid the shift to the fourth industrial revolution.

“We envision ACCeSs@AIM to lead and promote the use of data science, artificial intelligence, and computational models to help industries, government agencies, and other sectors; the end goal being to drive innovation,” he added.

The facility houses a 500-teraflop, the computing speed of the unit, and 500 terabyte Acer supercomputer donated by the Stan Shih foundation, which is named after Acer’s founder and honorary chairman.

While the supercomputer arrived in the Philippines only on Wednesday evening, the AIM has coupled the facility with a 14-month formal degree on Masters of Sciences in Data Science (MSDS) program, which started on March 5.

“It is certainly not easy to find properly trained data scientists in the Philippines or elsewhere and this shortage of talents will continue to happen if we don’t do something about it. I know many of our companies have this pain point,” Mr. Monterola said.

AIM Partnered with Aboitiz Group, equity from ATRAM, Ayala Corp., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Mynt, Security Bank, SM Group, and UnitedHealth group to form the MSDS program.

AIM Dean and President Jinkyeong Kang said that both private companies and the government can both commission the MSDS students to work on their data, however AIM will have the intellectual property rights for the output.

Mr. Monterola said that AIM is set to roll out projects with Security Bank, Ayala Corp, and Analog Devices, Inc. in the coming weeks.

“We are also exploring potential partnerships with IBPAP (Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines), DoST (Department of Science and Technology), DTI (Department of Trade abd Industry), and other government agencies,” he added.

ACCeSs@AIM deputy director and Master of Science in Data Sciences Academic Director Erika Fille T. Legara told BusinessWorld that they are currently in an exploratory stage with the public sector.

“We’re working closely with the IBPAP, we’re looking at the future of jobs. They have asked AIM to build a model to map the supply and demand of jobs and hopefully to predict the future of jobs,” she added.

As for the private sector, Ms. Legara said that they have three projects already in the pipeline but was not allowed to disclose it.

In the Philippines, Ms. Legara said that while it could be safe to assume that around 10% of companies in the already do data science, they find it hard to convince “everyone to get on board.”

“You know, some companies look at data as cost, but if you really think about it, you can see data as something that can help you innovate as a company, and a source of profit, even,” she added.

Ms. Legara said that one of the partnership schemes AIM will be forming will make it more affordable for small and medium- sized enterprises (SME) to also make use for data science in their businesses.

“One of our inspirations really is to help SMEs and we know like what you said, it’s going to be expensive that’s why our students for their projects, it will be a symbiotic relationship so the companies,” she said.

“The SMEs, if they want to explore more on data science and they have the data, they can work closely with us and our students because it will really help our students have a feel on what it’s like to solve real-world problems,” she added.

A demand for the big and powerful

Buying a car is considered a major decision that involves careful choosing from a plethora of auto types available in the market. Practicality, versatility, durability, affordability and suitability to one’s lifestyle are some of the factors prospective car buyers are looking for. Given these considerations, more and more are opting for big and powerful autos including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans, and pickup trucks.

According to consumerreports.org, a nonprofit organization that does consumer research and product testings, pickups are attracting more buyers, especially those looking for more space. “Truck makers today are building pickups with broader appeal, with a softer ride and more safety, convenience, and comfort features,” it added.

In the past years, Filipinos have shown affinity for bigger autos as well. Some reports indicated that Filipinos prefer buying SUVs and pickups for its sturdiness, and for its ability to accommodate more passengers especially for extended family members. Moreover, its capacity for both city driving and rough terrain as well as wade through floods during bad weather conditions make this segment a popular choice.

The number of sales of this auto segment showed robust sales, and have consistently been included in the list of best-selling cars. Last year alone, automotive Web site AutoIndustriya.com’s list of 10 best-selling cars indicated that more than half of the list are SUVs, vans, and pickups or those under the commercial vehicle (CV) segment.

Sales figures of the CV segment have also shown a steady growth over the past years. Showing a bullish stance in 2017, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported that out of the 425,673 auto units sold in 2017, 286,249 units of which belong to the CV segment while the remaining 139,424 units were attributed to passenger car (PC) segment.

On the other hand, on a separate report of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), it was indicated that out of the total of 106,286 units sold in 2017, the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment sold a total of 66,564 units while the PC segment recorded a total of 39,722 units sold.

Among those car brands with successful number of sales for SUVs is Honda Cars Philippines. Its seven-seater gasoline SUV, the BR-V, is the brand’s second highest selling model with 7,212 vehicles sold, and considered as the major contributor to Honda’s strong sales performance in 2017.

Meanwhile, although there is a slower growth in sales for the auto industry for 2018 due to the implementation of Republic Act 10963 or Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law under the Duterte administration, the CV segment still reflected increase in sales. Media reports stated that according to data by CAMPI and TMA, CV segment sales grew by 12.4% to 21,855 units in January 2018 from 19,441 units in January 2017, accounting more than 60% of the market. PC sales meanwhile indicated a 10.9% decline in January 2018 to 9,790 units compared to the 10,984 units in the same period of last year.

In particular, the LCV segment, composed mostly of SUVs, led the majority of sales for the CV segment, indicating a 23.3% increase in sales or a total of 15,218 units sold compared to last year’s total sales of 12,340 units.

Vehicle brands such as Suzuki Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC), and Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) noted a positive sales performance with 39.8%; 36.7%; and 20.6% increase in sales, respectively.

Apart from reflecting a positive growth in sales at the onset of the year, it can be said that partiality for this vehicle segment is here to stay due to a change in preference of car buyers as well. In fact, NPI, according to media reports, revealed early this year that consumer preference may shift into the pickup trucks segment for 2018.

“Given the competitive nature of pickup trucks, I think preference will change slightly in favor of pickup trucks,” NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan reportedly said.

This is also because of pickups’, along with electric vehicles’, exemption from higher excise tax under the TRAIN law. Year 2018 is also an exciting year for this vehicle segment, as prospective car buyers can look forward to brand new models of SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks that are set to be launched this year. Some reports stated that American car maker Ford is expected to launch seven new vehicles to the Philippine market including their Ranger pickup, the Ranger Raptor, as well as their refreshed SUV lines of Explorer, EcoSport, Everest, and Expedition.

It is also reported that Isuzu Philippines Corporation is set to launch a new variant to their popular pick up models, the D-Max and mu-X, noting that the car brand is keeping their line fresh because of a demanding market especially in the SUV and pickup segments. — Romsanne R. Ortiguero

Picking the right pickup

Shopping for a pickup is no different from shopping for a sedan or a sport utility vehicle: the sheer number of choices can throw you for a loop. Pickups are popular as both personal and commercial vehicles. And year after year, manufacturers of these trucks beef up their lineups with new models or variants of old models to cater to different needs, tastes and budgets.

To cut through the confusion, which is a gateway to regret, here are some things that you might want to consider before purchasing a pickup.

First, it’s important to understand that pickups can be generally classified into two categories: compact and full-sized. According to Consumer Reports, a US-based nonprofit that tests and rates consumer products, compact pickups, which are sometimes called midsized, are built on a chassis frame different from that of the full-sized ones and offer a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines. Full-sized pickups are, in the words of the organization, “the brawny workhorse of the pickup world.”

“They are larger and more rugged, and they ride higher off the ground than compacts do. They also come in more configurations of cab type, bed size, and drivetrain,” Consumer Reports says, adding that they can function both as a work truck and a family car substitute.

When it comes to engines, compact pickups are fitted with, as previously mentioned, four-cylinder and V6 engines. The latter is the base engine, while the former is an optional feature of many compact pickups. According to Consumer Reports, V6 provides more power and smoother operation. This type is more typically found in full-sized trucks to provide balance between power and fuel economy appropriate for light consumer use.

Full-sized trucks may have V8 engines. “Some newer V8 engines offer cylinder deactivation, allowing the engine to operate on fewer cylinders under light loads, such as steady-speed cruising, and thereby save fuel,” Consumer Reports says.

In terms of transmission, almost all pickups, the organization says, are based on rear-wheel drive platforms to make them suitable for moving heavy load. But for tough road conditions, pickups with four-wheel drive is recommended. The traditional four-wheel drive, Consumer Reports said, is a part-time system controlled via a lever, button or rotary switch as needed. Some pickups have the more versatile full-time four-wheel drive, which provides greater traction and doesn’t harm the driveline.

Another transmission-related concern is whether a pickup should have a manual or automatic transmission. Work Truck Magazine, a resource for vocational truck fleets, says the advantages of choosing manual transmission include lower acquisition cost and better fuel economy. But it notes that not all drivers know how to operate manual transmission. With automatic transmission, which also offers higher towing capacities, that is not much of a problem.

The cargo bed varies depending on the type of pickup. Consumer Reports says a compact pickup has a bed that runs from five to six feet depending on the configuration, while a full-sized pickup’s standard bed length is eight feet. “Fold-out bed extenders are a widely available option,” the organization says. “They flip over, from within the bed, forming a fence around the open tailgate, to allow bulkier or longer cargo to be secured.”

Work Truck says if the bed is to be used for hauling sheets of plywood, for instance, the eight-foot-long bed is “usually the best fit.” “However, with the longer beds, the truck’s price increases and maneuverability is sacrificed (which impacts safety),” the magazine points out.

Pickups come in different cab styles, and so finding one with just the right seating configuration shouldn’t be that hard. There’s the standard cab. It has one bench or two bucket seats in the front and a storage behind them. But as ThoughtCo, an education site, notes, it lacks second-row seating.

An extended cab, meanwhile, has jump seats or a bench seat behind the front seats. This type has a spatial advantage. “Extended cabs provide extra space to carry groceries or other packages behind the first row — out of the weather and locked up for security,” ThoughtCo says. It’s worth noting that the site mentions that most extended cabs are utilitarian, and so it may not provide comfort during a long ride.

Finally, there’s the crew cab, which has full second-row seating and four doors. “Crew cabs are more popular now that many drivers use pickup trucks as their primary vehicle,” the site says.

Choosing the best SUV for your needs

It’s very hard to go wrong with a sport utility vehicle (SUV) when buying a new car. There are a lot of upsides: the versatility of having an on- and off-road vehicle; the impressive designs that exude power and confidence while driving; and the spacious cabins that can promise comfort and safety wherever you go.

The real question is: Which SUV should you choose? The Philippines’ SUV segment is a competitive market replete with options. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best ones out to help you pick out your next vehicle.

Honda CR-V

A testament to the perfect balance of form and function, the Honda CR-V remains one of the most popular SUVs out in the market. With a distinctively sporty look, Honda’s crossover flagship features a classy and innovative design that is as perfectly suited to traversing the urban jungles of Metro Manila as it is driving through any other terrain.

The CR-V, short for Comfortable Runabout Vehicle, is held in high regard as one of the pioneering models in the Philippine SUV segment, and features a sophisticated interior fitted with leather-trimmed seats and Driver’s Seat Memory capabilities to ensure a comfortable and refined experience within its cabin. With its 1.6 i-DTEC turbodiesel engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Gear Selector, and many model variants to choose from, the CR-V is a worthy and flexible choice for an on and off-road vehicle.

Lexus LX

Those looking for the ultimate in on-road and off-road luxury may find what they need in Lexus’ impressive full-size SUV offering. With a deluxe interior and seating fit for eight passengers, the LX series is built for the best experience in urban comfort and off-road ruggedness. The lavish and refined design of the LX SUVs creates a powerful impression that commands presence both on asphalt roads and rocky countryside.

Offering outstanding capability and maximum comfort, the LX is powered by V8 engine and a confidence-inspiring four-wheel drive. The car’s advanced suspension system also gives it a consistently smooth ride quality in a variety of conditions, allowing the LX to outclass its competition in providing a luxurious, worry-free experience. In essence, the LX series of SUVs are a league all on their own and a great choice for those who can afford them.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

The popular Montero Sport is Mitsubishi’s tribute to dynamic and sophisticated SUV design. Whether riding through unpaved terrain or on rough city streets, the Montero Sport promises a premium experience through comfortable and accessible functionality.

Offering great value for money, the Montero Sport provides a sophisticated interior specially designed with comfort in mind. Passengers can enjoy a smooth, relaxing ride with the vehicle’s leather contoured seats and multi-layer cushioning. In terms of performance, the Montero Sport is powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder DOHC 16V MIVEC VG Turbocharged clean diesel power plant, capable of achieving high power output while maintaining both low fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions. Lastly, with sharp lined features and the brand’s benchmark Dynamic Shield Design, the Montero Sport evokes a distinctive presence wherever it goes, whether within the city or without.

Suzuki Vitara

The newest generation of the Suzuki Vitara is the Japanese carmaker’s latest subcompact crossover model to hit Philippine shores. Smaller than its predecessor, the Vitara makes driving in tight roads of cities and rugged rural roads a breeze. With a history spanning decades, Suzuki reshapes its SUV legacy with an aggressive yet sleek design that incorporates modern elements like wraparound LED headlamps, a large grille, and a muscular bumper.

Specifically designed to appeal to a new generation of adventurers, the Vitara aims to provide the best value in terms of design, performance and fuel efficiency. Drivers can freely express their individuality and personalize their vehicles with the model’s wide array of colors and accessory packages. A perfect option for those looking for a dependable, personal companion in adventure.

Toyota Fortuner

One of the most renowned SUV models in the market, the Toyota Fortuner has garnered significant attention for providing a long legacy of premium and dependable service as an off-road powerhouse. The Fortuner’s distinguished exterior and fascia projects a sleek and edgy presence on the road, while the spacious and cozy interior of dark brown, black, and wood trims radiates class and elegance.

As a name with a lot of history behind it, SUV buyers will have a lot of variants to choose from, from small but powerful diesel engines to the gasoline 2.7L dual VVT-i engine. Not only that, the Fortuner boasts a gamut of safety options from stability control to trailer sway control, in addition to customizability options that allow customers to personalize their chosen model to their heart’s content. Toyota’s reliable and ever-present midsize SUV remains one of the carmakers’ bestselling models, and for good reason. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Weighing the pros & cons: To buy or lease a van?

Commercial van is an important investment in business. Whether you are replacing or adding a new one to your roster, there are a lot of decisions to make in order to get the best option that fits to your company’s financial capability.

Broadly speaking, there are two options: to buy or lease a van. While there’s no single answer that covers every situation, breaking down its differences and knowing the pros and cons of each could help.

Buying a van means borrowing money from a lending institution or paying for it completely to make it yours. It is the more appealing and comfortable option as you will own the vehicle. On the other hand, it comes with bigger financial responsibility too.

Leasing is different, you won’t technically own the van — you just rent it from the dealership. Normally, it comes with a contract of paying a monthly fee to use the van of your choice. When the contract ends, you have to return the van.

For several reasons, buying a van is a good option. It offers the best value for your company.

Direct Line for Business, a foreign-based company that offers business insurance products to small businesses, enumerated in its Web site some additional points why buying a van is better.

Obviously, buying a van means you will own it. “Once you’ve signed the paperwork and handed over the money, the van is yours. Although vehicles do depreciate in value over time, it’s still a business asset that you have total control over,” the Direct Line for Business said.

Once you own it, some of the best ideas to maximize its function are have it wrapped for advertisement purposes and design its interior to fit to the needs of your business.

Buying a van comes with no restrictions, the Direct Line for Business added. When you lease a van, it has restrictions on things such as mileage limit per year, but when you own the van, there is freedom. You don’t need to ask for permission before doing the things that you want such as going on a long trip, performing maintenance or even selling or trading it.

Furthermore, no monthly lease payment. “Yes, you’ll have the running costs of fuel, maintenance, van insurance and so on, but you won’t have the lease payment to worry about. Once you’ve taken the hit on the purchase, it’s one less financial obligation to worry about. Plus, you can offset a lot of the running costs against tax too,” the Direct Line for Business explained.

The bottom line is: buying a van is the best option for a business that is financially stable and prepared for a long-term commitment.

For Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency and fairness in the marketplace, leasing, in some ways, can be more appealing than buying.

The organization said in its Web site that when it comes to leasing a van, “Monthly payments are usually lower because you’re not paying back any principal. Instead, you’re just borrowing and repaying the amount that the car depreciates in the time you have it, plus finance charges.”

Another major advantage of leasing a van is using a new vehicle and driving it in its most trouble-free years. If you lease a van for a business, you’ll always have a new vehicle model. This could save your company from any trouble on the road and help leave a good impression to the public.

Avoiding other costs is another huge advantage of leasing a van. For instance, you don’t have to pay for the van’s maintenance costs, and by avoiding such fee, you can put your money into more beneficial things such as marketing and manpower.

Also, the Consumer Reports said: “You don’t have to worry about fluctuations in the car’s trade-in value or go through the hassle of selling it when it’s time to move on.” In the end, you just drop off the van to the dealership.

On the other hand, the organization also mentioned the disadvantage of leasing a van. When you lease a vehicle, monthly payments go on forever — the longer you keep a vehicle after a loan is paid off, the more value you get out of it.

“Over the long term, the cheapest way to drive is to buy a car and keep it until the wheels fall off,” the Consumer Reports said. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

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