SAYING THAT the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has inspired some changes in the workplace and the way we do things is truly an understatement. Every person and organization have been forced to evolve not just in order to restore some form of normalcy but, more often than not, to survive.

DEPENDING on how you look at it, the successful lobby of medical frontliners to get critical areas under tighter quarantine control (as it turns out, modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ) is either a blessing or a curse. On my Facebook feed, I’ve seen very strong arguments for and against the measure, and there are truly valid points for both.

MG DISTRIBUTOR The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) was recently bestowed the Five Star Distributor award — the highest recognition among all international MG distributors — at the recent 2020 MG Overseas Dealers and Distributors Conference. The online event was attended by various MG distributors from over 80 countries.

ALMOST any Filipino urban dweller will recognize the iconic Toyota Vios. That’s how popular this subcompact car is, and how important it has become in our country. Important enough, it turns out, to give us the privilege of being the first country to unveil its latest rendition.

JAPAN-HEADQUARTERED premium car maker Lexus rallied in May and June to pace the luxury car segment in sales for the period. In an exclusive interview with “Velocity,” Lexus Manila President Raymond Rodriguez said that the lone dealership of the brand (on 8th Avenue and 34th Street in Bonifacio Global City) was able to sell 30 and 69 units in May and June, respectively.

ONLINE MARKETPLACE Carousell holds its first-ever used-car sale in the Philippines. “Car-o-Sale” aims to help jump-start businesses of its automotive sellers, many of which are longtime listers since the platform’s days as OLX. It envisions to provide potential car buyers with “a wide selection of quality used vehicles from its list of trusted sellers, paired with great deals.” With public transportation limited due to restrictions, Carousell reports a surge in online searches and inquiries due to a need to find alternative ways of commuting.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS Philippines Corp. (MMPC) recently marked another milestone — rolling out the 200,000th L300. The iconic utility van known for its dependability, durability and affordability has sold more than 190,000 units.

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.

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.”

ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORP. (IPC) held its first virtual groundbreaking event last Monday, as the renowned truck brand resumed the gradual implementation of the new Isuzu Outlet Standardization (IOS) on its dealerships throughout the country. This new design philosophy is centered on a more holistic approach toward creating an even more appealing dealership atmosphere that will cater to a more delightful overall customer experience and toward conducting smoother business operations. The new design is also meant to better communicate Isuzu’s corporate identity and its mantra of delivering only the most reliable, durable, robust and fuel-efficient vehicles. And the 11^th to transition into this new Isuzu Outlet Standardization is the Isuzu Davao dealership along MacArthur Highway in Matina, which is owned and operated by SMDI (Southern Motors of Davao, Inc.).

MITSUBISHI MOTORS Philippines Corp. (MMPC) flexes its muscles with the Strada Athlete, the sportiest iteration of its popular pickup nameplate. In a release, MMPC said the “powerful and durable truck now carries a tougher and sportier aesthetic design with its black dynamic shield, black front bumper garnish, 18-inch black alloy wheels, black roof, styling bar and side decal accents that are matched with a luxurious two-tone interior finish.”

PGA CARS, INC., official county importer and distributor of premium European brands Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley, has leveled up its sanitization protocols to better prioritize the health and safety of its clients, guests and work force.