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Sensible and chic: The $185 luxury face mask from Belgium

BRUSSELS — Take a face mask, adorn it with jewels or attach it to a long, flowing neck scarf. What have you got? A pandemic precaution, yes, but also a luxury fashion statement that can cost anywhere from 75 to 160 euros ($87-185).

As mask-wearing becomes part of everyday defenses against the coronavirus, Belgian designers are turning medical masks into chic accessories.

Brussels-based stylist Aude De Wolf has created a “scarf mask” that uses linen, cashmere and other high-quality materials to combine masks with luxurious shawls.

“I was inspired by my mother because she doesn’t like her neck,” De Wolf, who has already sewn some 1,500 free medical masks for hospitals, told Reuters from her workshop.

“You can slip the mask off when you’re in the car and slip it back on in the shops … You could say it’s a luxury product,” she said of the masks, which she is selling for 160 euros ($185) each.

Haute-couture garment and accessory maker Olivia Hainaut has turned her skills to creating masks with sequins, jewels and other flamboyant touches, such as silk flowers. They sell from 75 euros, depending on the work and materials involved.

“These are not masks for everyday wear, perhaps for a party or a wedding … the idea is to bring some joy to something that is very sad,” she said of the pandemic. — Reuters

Supply chain for food, other goods challenged by overloaded shippers

DAVAO CITY — Cargo logistics operations are slowly improving with the easing of lockdown rules, but the industry says supply chains remain challenged due to the workload imposed on freight forwarders and the failure of government agencies in charge of approvals for the movement of goods to fully embrace digital processes.

Elmer U. Sarmiento, president and chief executive officer of Royal Cargo, Inc., said while inventories at the company’s warehouses are now “going down,” it is taking care not to take on more shipments too rapidly in order not to overburden couriers.

“This will exert more pressure on freight forwarders… forwarding companies should be ready and prepared for this,” he said during Friday’s online conference on logistics organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Business Council, in partnership with All Transport Network, and the German, British, and Dutch business chambers.

Mr. Sarmiento also noted that flights and shipping schedules remain irregular, which affects both the domestic and international movement of food and other manufactured products.

Dan C. Lachica, president of the Semi-conductors Electronics and Industries of the Philippines, Inc., said apart from the still-unreliable transportation and high costs, there are also problems with delays at ports.

Meat Importers and Traders Association President Jesus C. Cham said some of the delays can be attributed to some government agencies’ failure to fully embrace the digital shift.

“We all know that government has started digital and doing everything online. One of the major problems that we have encountered is still they don’t want to let go, they still want the final process, a final approval… so they don’t want totally to automate the process,” Mr. Cham said. “They still have the final say, and this final say is giving us a problem… and I think we need to look at that and bring it up with the government,” he said.

Erastus Sandino B. Austria, district collector of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in Davao, said the BoC and other government agencies are actively trying to reduce the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the supply chain.

“So far, we keep the disruption in the supply chain very minimal,” he said, noting that the bureau is now in the final stages of fully migrating to an online portal. — Maya M. Padillo

Megaworld raises P3 billion from continued lot sale

MEGAWORLD CORP. has generated P3 billion from having completely sold out a residential village in Cavite while under quarantine.

In a statement over the weekend, the Andrew L. Tan-led property developer said it sold all lots at its 18-hectare upscale residential village, Arden Botanical Village, last month.

This despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and two price increases implemented in January and May.

“Amid the lockdown, we have booked sales from buyers in the Philippines and across the world who were looking for purposeful, more livable spaces to build a house,” said Eugene Em Lozano, first vice-president for sales and marketing at Megaworld.

The project is located within Megaworld’s 251-hectare Arden Botanical Estate in Trece Martires. It was launched almost seven months ago and offered a total of 329 lots to buyers.

“A P7-million lot bought when we started selling late last year can now be sold at almost P9.5 million. Our early takers are so happy with their investments today,” Mr. Lozano said.

The lots are scheduled to be turned over to buyers starting 2024.

“Arden Botanical Village’s concept gave us a convenient push, and the unique concept of Arden Botanical Estate as an integrated lifestyle community was a huge factor in selling this fast even amidst the pandemic,” Mr. Lozano said.

The 251-hectare Arden Botanical Estate, where Arden Botanical Village is located, is a joint development of Megaworld and its listed subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI). Both Megaworld and GERI are allocating P18 billion to develop the project over a 10-year period.

In the first quarter, Megaworld posted a 9% profit decline to P3.5 billion due to the impact of the Taal Volcano eruption and the coronavirus pandemic to its operations. Residential sales were flat at P9.6 billion due to the delayed construction of its ongoing projects.

The company has set a P36-billion budget for capital expenditures this year, lower by 40% from its initial allocation, in consideration of the effects of the ongoing pandemic.

Shares in Megaworld closed at P3.07 apiece on Friday, down seven centavos or 2.23% from a day earlier. — Denise A. Valdez

Peso to weaken on rising local coronavirus cases

THE PESO may depreciate this week due to the continued increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, which could dampen sentiment on the local unit.

The local unit finished trading at P49.33 per dollar last Friday, appreciating by 3.50 centavos from its Thursday close, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

It also gained 11 centavos from its P49.44-per-dollar close on July 17.

The peso’s Friday finish was its strongest in more than three years or since the P49.17 close on Nov. 15, 2016, said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.

The currency gained as demand for dollars waned due to the surge in US infections, UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said.

“The peso still trended toward strength as the US continues its bout against increasing COVID-19 infections,” Mr. Asuncion said in a text message.

Total cases in the US reached more than four million on Thursday. The US new COVID-19 infection rate is at an average of 2,600 per hour, which is the highest in the world, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ricafort attributed the peso’s gain to less preference for the dollar after the latest weekly US jobless claims data.

The weekly US jobless claims data released Thursday showed nearly 32 million people receiving unemployment benefits in early July.

For this week, local economic data as well as the continued rise in COVID-19 infections will be major factors that could affect the peso, the analysts said.

“Upcoming major Philippine data releases include BoP (balance of payments) as of June as well as bank loans and M3 growth,” Mr. Ricafort said.

The country’s BoP position stood at a surplus of $2.431 billion in May, wider than the $928 million seen a year ago as well as the $1.666-billion surfeit in April, central bank data showed. It was also the biggest since the $2.704-billion surfeit in January 2019.

The BoP position was at a surplus of $4.02 billion from January to May, thinner than the $5.19-billion surfeit in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, M3 or money supply growth was at 16.6% to P13.7 trillion in May, quicker than the 16.2% pace in April.

However, outstanding loans disbursed by universal and commercial banks rose 11.3% in May, slower than the 12.7% growth pace in April.

For his part, Mr. Asuncion said the peso will likely continue its appreciation, although the recent surge in infections, especially in Metro Manila, may affect sentiment.

Confirmed COVID-19 patients in the country reached 78,412 cases as of Saturday, of which 50,763 are active cases, health officials said.

For this week, Mr. Ricafort expects the peso to move around the P49.20 to P49.45 range versus the dollar while Mr. Asuncion gave a forecast range of P49.20 to P49.40. — LWTN with Reuters

Nike, Titan to release latest LeBron shoe collaboration

THE LeBron 17 Low “Titan,” the latest footwear collaboration between Nike and Philippine basketball concept store Titan, is set to be released in the country later this week.

The new shoe has National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reuniting with Titan since the LeBron 16 Low Titan “Agimat” shoe which was released in 2019.

While the 16 Lows came in an all-navy blue look, the LeBron 17 Low Titan comes in an exclusive red colorway and features an all-over graphic on the upper emblazoned with logos and symbols representing moments in Titan’s 10-year history.

The tongue, meanwhile, has a special crest that features a globe mounted on LeBron’s iconic crown logo, a lightning bolt derived from Titan’s logo, and the words “Para Sa Kadakilaan” (for greatness), which the company translates to “Strive For Greatness.”

“Our partnership with Titan continues to elevate our purpose of serving athletes, bringing Filipino ballers everything they need to continue raising their game. And as LeBron James’ voice and presence continue to resonate with our ballers, how he recognizes and connects Manila to the world with this collaboration is truly meaningful for our athletes on a deeper level,” said Jino Ferrer, Nike Philippines country marketing manager.

For Titan, which opened shop in 2010, the new collaboration takes added significance as it celebrates as well what it is as an organization.

“Titan was born of the Filipinos’ fabled love for basketball and is shaped by its culture and community. Since we first opened in 2010, we have dedicated ourselves to providing a home for the game, those who love it most, and the stories they share,” said Levon Rondina, co-founder and chief brand officer of Titan.

“With our second collaboration with Nike Basketball and LeBron James, we strive to take that dream with us, from Manila to the world. Building off of our brand’s and The King’s shared passion and values, this shoe is a testament to how far a dream can take you, and how far you can take it. Always, for love of the game,” he added.

The Nike LeBron 17 Low Titan is priced at P8,095 and will be available at all Titan stores, the Titan App, and Titan22.com on Aug. 1. It will also be available at Nike Park Fort beginning Aug. 8. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Auto exec: ‘The industry is going electric, whether we like it or not’

 

Electrified all-new Land Rover Defender set for Aug. 1 launch

WITH the scheduled local launch on Aug. 1 of the new Land Rover Defender — 37 years after the last all-new iteration — the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) brand continues to send a clear message about the commitment to its so-called “Destination Zero” mission. Through “autonomous, connected, electrified and shared future mobility, we are committed to a strategy of electrification across our model ranges,” stated the firm on its corporate website.

The portfolios of the storied UK auto marques now already boast “degrees of electrification,” from mild electric vehicles (MHEVs) to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

“The global industry is going that way — frankly, whether we like it or not,” averred Coventry Motors Corp. President and All British Cars (ABC) GM Chris Ward in an exclusive interview. Catching up with Mr. Ward at a sneak peek of the Defender (capped by a short albeit delightful stint behind the wheel) proved enlightening on how electrified vehicles can and are steadily taking a foothold in the psyche of the Filipino car buyer.

THE RETURN OF THE DEFENDER
What proved to be my last pre-COVID-19 visit to the ABC showroom on EDSA in Greenhills was back in December 2019 for the reveal of the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Aside from presenting that model, Mr. Ward had discussed the then just-launched Defender (which was unveiled globally at the Frankfurt Motor Show). To be sure, the protracted absence of the iconic nameplate has served to generate excitement and enthusiasm for the vehicle.

But that surely shouldn’t take away anything from the vehicle’s eye-catching, soul-stirring reimagination. While cutting a familiar boxy shape, the Defender reinterprets lines and execution, and enlists the use of high technology to serve up an entirely drivable and foolproof tool for every day roads and more difficult terrain alike.

The Defender comes in five-door (the 110) and three-door (the 90) configurations, and it’s the 110 that will first be available here this week (the 90 is expected to arrive in the Q1 2021). While four engine options are available (two diesel- and two gas-sipping), for now, Land Rover Philippines is bringing in the top-shelf in-line 3.0-liter, six-cylinder power plant with mild hybrid technology. The all-new Ingenium six-banger engine, which debuts in the Defender, serves up 400ps and 550Nm of torque — the latter available from 2,000rpm.

As mentioned, the Defender employs a “small integrated electric motor which gathers energy from regenerative braking, which then is used for instant power from takeoff.” Indeed, despite tipping the scales at almost 5,000 pounds, the vehicle feels nimble and spirited. Land Rover says the Defender can reach 100kph from standstill in 6.1 seconds, up to a top rate of 208kph, with the performance accessed via an eight-speed automatic transmission. A twin-scroll turbocharger and continuous variable valve lift help to boost power.

The vehicle is priced as follows with the various “accessory packs” (each one, maintained Land Rover, “designed to help you make more of your world”) Defender 110 Urban (P6.31 million), Defender 110 Country (P6.36 million), Defender 110 Adventure (P6.44 million), and Defender 110 Explorer (P6.61 million). The even more premium Defender 110 First Edition is priced at P9.39 million.

ELECTRIFYING FUTURE
“You have to take that brave step and just say, ‘Here it is. I’ve trained my people. My people know how to look after it. We’ve got the right product for the market,’” commented Mr. Ward, who at the start of his posting in Manila already shared that electrified vehicles were forthcoming for JLR.

The executive intimated, “There are more PHEVs coming… options for the Evoque, Discovery Sport in next 12 months. We’re just sorting out if it’s right, the pricing. This technology is a little more expensive to manufacture, but there are tech savings.”

It certainly helps that there’s heightened awareness and openness to the more environmentally friendly powertrain. In fact, the arrival of Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle I-Pace was surely helped along by Filipino customers who Mr. Ward said had been asking about it. “We’ve been getting great press for a car that’s been around for three years. It’s proven; it’s got legs already,” he insisted. “That’s the pull of both the brand and electric vehicles.”

The key to greater acceptance of electrified vehicles of any kind is the adequate addressing of pain points. Reassurance and the lessening of uncertainty are important. Mr. Ward said that when talking to potential buyers of these vehicles, confidence must be inspired in them. In the case of the I-Pace, Jaguar Philippines made it a point to quell concerns about charging — explaining to clients and even helping them get their home charger installed. “These were things that were initially holding them back… It’s about understanding the technology, protocols for charging, etc.”

While JLR has stated its intentions on progressively electrifying its portfolio — a process that is becoming more evident with each new release, Chris Ward clarified that it doesn’t necessarily mean that petrol and diesel options will be removed right away.

Still, the writing on the wall is clear: “Over the next five years or so, not just us, but all the other premium manufacturers as well. You’ll see their lineup moving away from pure internal combustion to a combination or pure EV.”

India water crisis becoming a problem for rice farmers, Modi

ON A SCORCHING summer day in northern India, Ajay Singh sat next to his water pump and scanned his 10 acres of farmland. He once used to grow rice each season to bring in about 150,000 rupees ($2,000) a year, well above the average income in the world’s second-most populous country.

Now on six acres he’s cultivating pearl millet, cow peas, bottle gourd and corn — crops that consume about 80% less water than rice, and also use less labor, fertilizer and electricity. While a water conservation program pays him 7,000 rupees per acre to plant them, it’s still a gamble: Unlike rice, which the government always buys at a set price, these crops have no guaranteed market.

“I am taking this risk because I have a passion to leave enough water for future generations,” Mr. Singh said from his farm in Karnal, an area a few hours drive north of the capital, New Delhi.

India’s 1.3 billion people have access to only about 4% of the world’s water resources, and farmers consume almost 90% of the groundwater available. As global temperatures rise and overuse of water depletes existing resources, the threat to lives and businesses in Asia’s third-largest economy is projected to grow.

Water shortages are already acute: nearly half the country’s population faces high-to-extreme water stress and about 200,000 die each year due to inadequate access to safe water. Stoked by climate change, the water crisis has forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to try and turn around decades of established farming practices and convince the country’s most powerful voting bloc to change the crops they plant. Water-guzzlers like rice and wheat are out, corn and pulses are in.

“This is just the beginning,” Siraj Hussain, former secretary of agriculture and a visiting senior fellow at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations in New Delhi, said of the program farmers like Mr. Singh have joined. “Sooner or later, it will have to be replicated across the country. Ideally, the central government should finance part of the expenditure in providing incentives to the farmers for making the shift from paddy and sugarcane. States alone cannot afford such an ambitious plan.”

For Mr. Modi, pushing farmers to change is risky business because of their sheer numbers and political power. Farm income is untaxed in the South Asian nation, and water and electricity are heavily subsidized. Lowering the minimum price at which the government buys food grains from farmers could also backfire at the polls.

Although Mr. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party dominates parliament after a big win in last year’s election, he needs to tread a fine balance between shifting to less water-intensive crops and ensuring his government produces enough food to feed the poor. That makes incentives like those given to farmers like Mr. Singh an important test for whether India can reverse its chronic water problems.

If the program in Karnal is any indicator, the task isn’t going to be easy.

Few farmers in the rice-growing district, where the water table has been declining by 0.7 meter every year, are keen to experiment with new crops. In its first year in Haryana the project anticipates around 100,000 hectares (247,105 acres) would switch to alternate crops — but that’s only about 7% of the land used for rice cultivation in the northern state.

Farmers love rice and wheat primarily because of stable prices and assured state purchases. These two staples, along with another thirsty crop, sugar cane, are grown in 40% of the country’s gross farmed area but consume about 80% of its irrigation water. Corn and millet may use less water, but their price stability is unproven.

In the long run, experts say water shortages will make crop diversification an inevitability. Currently, India is the world’s biggest extractor of groundwater — more than China and the US combined — accounting for almost a quarter of the total extracted globally. Between 2000 and 2017 its groundwater depletion increased by as much as 23%.

But the change needs to be carefully managed, said Aditya Pratap Dabas, deputy director agriculture and the officer managing the Karnal project. “Changing the farmers’ mindset is the main challenge in implementing the program.”

Heavier tactics backfire. Protests erupted earlier this year when the provincial government tried to restrict rice cultivation to just half the farmed area in some parts of Haryana. The farmers, some backed by the opposition Congress party, said the government couldn’t deprive farmers of the right to grow crops that fetched the best price. — Bloomberg

GMA Network expects to keep jobs

GMA Network, Inc. has no plans to reduce its workforce amid the ongoing pandemic crisis, its top official said.

“While some of our talents were affected when the Network temporarily suspended the production of most of our entertainment and public affairs programs, there is no particular plan, however, to cut jobs due to the pandemic crisis at this point,” GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon told BusinessWorld in an e-mailed reply to questions last week.

In March, the network said it would allocate P350 million for the salaries and benefits of its employees, talents and support personnel in light of the government-imposed lockdowns.

The media company operated on a lean workforce and adopted special work arrangements for its employees, talents and support personnel during the lockdown period.

“The impacts of the pandemic and the quarantine controls imposed to arrest the pandemic on GMA are similar to those on other companies. Because of the restrictions, we had to replay some of our high-rating programs. But with respect to our news and some of our public affairs programs, we continued to air them — not with replays — and, of course, we also suffer the setbacks in revenues that went along with the closure of some of the business activities plus lack of transportation, quarantine lockdowns, etc.,” Mr. Gozon said at the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting recently.

“But lately, when the restrictions started to ease, we also started to bring back the showings of our programs in the sense that gradually we are producing more and more live programs, not replays, but on a limited basis to comply with the restrictions imposed by the government. In the coming days, you will see more and more of our programs returning to the air,” he added.

Mr. Gozon also said the company is free of debt as of end-March, emphasizing its “ability to balance ratings growth with sound financials.”

In the first three months of 2020, GMA saw its net income plunge by 19% to P583.42 million with the lack of political ads and the pandemic-induced quarantine imposed in the middle of March. Total revenues were down 7% in the first quarter to P3.53 billion.

“In the next months and years, we will see a transformation of the broadcast industry,” Mr. Gozon said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Gov’t debt yields end flat

YIELDS OF government securities (GS) barely moved last week following the start of the government’s retail Treasury bond (RTB) sale.

GS yields rose by an average of 0.6 basis point (bp) week on week, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation (BVAL) Service Reference Rates published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website on July 24.

At the secondary market last Friday, the 91-, 182-, and 364-day Treasury bills (T-bills) saw their yields go down by 8.6 bps, 4.7 bps, and 3.1 bps, respectively, to 1.501%, 1.613%, and 1.807%.

At the belly of the yield curve, rates of the three-. four-, five-, and seven-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) went up by 1.1 bps (2.2%), 4 bps (2.337%), 6.8 bps (2.464%), and 10.9 bps (2.683%). Only the two-year debt paper rallied as its rate fell by 1.4 bps to 2.034%

Yields on the 10- and 25-year T-bonds climbed by 13.5 bps (2.857%) and 1.5 bps (3.757%). Meanwhile, the rate of the 20-year paper fell by 13.9 bps to 3.542%.

“Local bonds remained locked in a very tight range on strong two-way demand week-on-week. Market players were observed to be occupied with book-building for the new five-year RTBs, that is why local bond yields just moved sideways across the curve,” Robinsons Bank Corp. Peso Sovereign Debt Trader Kevin S. Palma said in a Viber message.

“However, demand for short-dates remained strong given the elevated liquidity in the financial system,” he added.

Profit taking in some long-term tenors from record-low levels “may have been partly brought about by the new upcoming supply of government securities in view of the latest RTB issuance of at least P250 billion…,” said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.

“New and upcoming bond and equity issuances could have sapped some funds in the financial system towards these new fund-raising activities and away from existing issues, which thereby could have caused the recent bouts of healthy profit taking/downward correction,” he added.

The amount raised from the five-year RTBs already exceeded the record P310 billion borrowed via the three-year retail bond issue last February just a week into the offer period amid robust demand.

The government awarded an initial P192.71 billion of the five-year RTBs during the rate-setting auction on July 16. The P250-billion mark was breached after only four days.

The retail bonds carry a coupon of 2.625% and are being sold in denominations of P5,000 until Aug. 7, unless closed earlier by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

The Treasury also opened an exchange offer program worth P321 billion for holders of the RTB 10-01, FXTN 05-73, RTB 10-02 and FXTN 07-57.

The retail bonds will be issued on Aug. 12 and will mature on Aug. 12, 2025.

“Local yields may continue to trade range-bound [this week]. Potential catalysts that could drive yield action… are the T-bill auction and BTr’s borrowing plan for the month of August,” Robinsons Bank’s Mr. Palma said.

The Treasury is holding a T-bill auction today.

RCBC’s Mr. Ricafort said major catalysts for this week include fund-raising activities such as the continuation of the RTB offering, the country’s first real estate investment trust (REIT) offering, and updates on quarantine measures by the government.

“Locally, any stricter quarantine measures could initially weigh sentiment on the local financial markets and could still cause continued profit-taking, in terms of a healthy upward correction in PHP BVAL yields as an immediate reaction, also amid new GS supply from relatively large RTB issuance,” Mr. Ricafort said.

BPI Capital Corp., the sole global coordinator and stabilizing agent for the REIT offering, told the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) last Wednesday that Ayala Land, Inc. will be offering REIT shares at P27 each, lower than the initial P30.05 per share indicated in the prospectus submitted to the PSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The offer period will be from today to Aug. 3, with the listing at the PSE main board tentatively scheduled on Aug. 13. — Marissa Mae M. Ramos

Gli the cat can stay even as Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia changes

ISTANBUL — With thousands of Instagram followers and even a former US president as a fan, Gli the cat is almost as famous as her home, Istanbul’s ancient Hagia Sophia.

But with the decision to turn the museum into a mosque, Turks have been wondering whether Gli will have to move out — with the question cropping up daily on local news outlets and social media.

The grey cat with shining green, crossed eyes, has become a favorite with visitors, including former US President Barack Obama, who was filmed stroking her during a trip in 2009.

Authorities have made clear Hagia Sophia can remain as her home.

Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan, told Reuters that Gli, as well as all other cats in the area, would stay where they were.

“That cat has become very famous, and there are others who haven’t become that famous yet. That cat will be there, and all cats are welcome to our mosques,” he said.

That’s bound to be welcome news to Umut Bahceci, a tour guide who started an Instagram account for Gli four years ago and now has more than 48,000 followers. The account is filled with photos of the cat, some tagged by the tourists who meet her.

“I started noticing Gli every time I went (to Hagia Sophia) because Gli was posing for people like a model,” she told Reuters. “I get messages such as, ‘Gli, we will come to Istanbul to see you.’ This is truly a very nice feeling.”

Hagia Sophia was a Christian Byzantine cathedral for 900 years before it was seized by Ottoman conquerors and served as a mosque until 1934.

A court ruled this month that the building’s conversion to a museum then was unlawful. Erdogan immediately declared the building a mosque once more, with the first prayers held last Friday. — Reuters

Nissan Ariya sounds off a new high in mobility

 

Pure electric crossover unveiled

LAST OCTOBER, I joined the Nissan press contingent in attending the 46th Tokyo Motor Show (2019 TMS) held at the Tokyo Big Sight in Japan. It was there that Nissan unveiled its Ariya electric crossover and IMk urban commuter concept cars, which are both icons of Nissan’s latest design direction called “Timeless Japanese Futurism.”

The latter is Nissan’s new design language that combines the company’s 100% EV platform with traditional Japanese minimalist themes. And I particularly remember something that their charismatic Senior Vice-President for Global Design Alfonso Albaisa said during the TMS presentation. He emphasized how these concepts were extra special because “these are concepts which we will soon be able to drive.”

True enough, less than a year later, Nissan held the Ariya’s world premiere as a real production car via a virtual event hosted last July 15 at the soon-to-open Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, Japan. This makes the Ariya production model Nissan’s first-ever, all-electric crossover SUV. As you can imagine, it is heavily based on its concept car counterpart — and thus represents Nissan’s new, electrified brand identity.

The Ariya paints a clear story of Nissan’s latest design language — it is a lot about Japanese “Ma” or the mastery of the empty space. You see, the Japanese have a kind of minimalism that is much, much different from that of Europeans. I remember Alfonso explaining that European minimalism is about the subtraction of unnecessary elements, while Japanese minimalism is about, to begin with, the addition of simple elements.

Nissan also took this launch opportunity to introduce its redesigned brand logo — now representative of its renewed passion and dedication towards becoming a leader in automobile innovations. This redesigned emblem can now be found at the center of the Ariya’s aerodynamic shield.

“The Ariya’s exterior proportions show what’s possible with Nissan’s 100% electric-vehicle platform,” remarked Senior Design Director Giovanny Arroba. “The surprisingly short overhangs, aggressive roofline and large wheels provide an elegant appearance that flawlessly balances sport and luxury,” he said.

The Ariya offers the most spacious cabin in its class… with a flat, open-floor and slim-profile Zero Gravity seats, that result in enormous legroom. It is almost as if it is no longer simply a car cabin, but rather a pleasant living space for the driver and passengers to enjoy.

It comes in 4 variants, namely: the 2WD variant with 63kWh of usable battery capacity; the 2WD with a larger battery capacity of 87kWh; the e-4orce AWD with 63kWh battery capacity and twin electric motors with e-4orce control technology; and the e-4orce AWD with the same twin electric motors with e-4orce control technology, but with a larger-capacity battery of 87kWh. This last and most sophisticated variant features the highest level of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies available — and includes Nissan’ ProPilot 2.0, which can also be found in the latest Nissan Leaf.

“The Ariya’s Intelligent Power is one of the pillars that define Nissan’s DNA,” explained Ariya Development Chief Product Specialist Makoto Fukuda. “The Ariya is fast in a straight line, but it provides maximum, usable performance in a wide range of driving conditions, such as on a snowy mountain road or on wet city streets,” he said.

The Ariya’s battery pack sits under the center of the vehicle to promote a low center of gravity and near-equal weight distribution between the front and rear. It basically has three drive modes, namely: Standard, Sport, and Eco. The e-4orce variants incorporate an additional “Snow” mode.

Moreover, this electric crossover makes use of Nissan’s largely popular e-Pedal technology, which allows a driver to launch, accelerate, and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal! It was first introduced in the Nissan Leaf, which I also had the opportunity to drive a while back. I would liken the e-Pedal feeling to driving “bump cars” in theme parks — where you’d have to keep your foot pressing on the accelerator to keep it moving, and will only need to let go of the pedal to bring the car to a stop.

The Ariya is also an ambassador of Nissan’s ProPilot 2.0 driver assistance technology, which includes a suite of safety features and even an impressive level of autonomous driving (for controlled environments). It even incorporates its own Amazon Alexa, which like the Alexa we know, can help its owners play music, place calls, listen to audiobooks, control smart home devices, and more — except now it is from the comfortable mobility of your car.

“The Nissan Ariya opens a new chapter in our history as we begin our journey of transformation in our business, in our products, and in our culture,” exclaimed Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. Furthering that “It defines what matters to Nissan, represents what we stand for, and embodies the essence of who we are: a passionate, innovative challenger.”

Asian palm oil producers forecast lower output in 2020

KUALA LUMPUR — Total palm oil output in top producers Indonesia and Malaysia is expected to fall in 2020 hampered by a labor shortage, and last year’s dry weather and lower fertilizer application, the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) said.

The prospect of a La Niña weather patter bringing wetter-than-normal weather to Indonesia and Malaysia could also adversely affect crop production and harvesting, it said.

“The potential of La Niña in the second half of the year will dampen any prospects of increased production,” CPOPC, a palm oil board led by Indonesia and Malaysia, said in a report released on Wednesday.

CPOPC forecast Indonesia’s crude palm oil production this year would be 1 million-2 million tons below last year’s 44 million tons.

Output in neighboring Malaysia is expected to drop 4.3% to 19 million tons.

“The relentless pressure from NGOs (nongovernment organizations) to stop oil palm planting, as well as the slowdown in new planting due to low prices up to 2019 and ongoing moratorium policy, will inevitably keep Indonesia’s production growth low,” CPOPC said.

Environmental groups have in recent years criticized the palm oil industry for widespread clearing of tropical forests. — Reuters

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