Ford Philippines hopes to bring road safety program to Iloilo

Ford Philippines is looking forward to roll out its road safety program in Iloilo, which is eyed to be launched in Cebu and in Davao this year. (Photo: Ford Philippines/Facebook)

ILOILO CITY, Aug 10 — Ford Philippines is looking forward to roll out its road safety program in Iloilo, which is eyed to be launched in Cebu and in Davao this year.

Dubbed as driving skills for life (DSFL) is a global program of Ford Motor Company that educates drivers about safety driving, fuel-efficient driving as well as all the other elements to be able to drive safely, said EJ Francisco, Assistant Vice President for Communications of Ford Philippines in a press conference on Thursday.

It was piloted in Manila last July with about 200 drivers of Uber, he added.

“Hopefully we can also have a roll out here in Iloilo but we are targeting some roll outs in Cebu and in Davao,” he stated.

While the program focuses on drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs), Francisco said that it also reaches out to schools.

Meanwhile, Ford is inviting car enthusiasts to avail of their experiential test drive roadshow that will run from August 11-13, 2017 in this city.

The “Ford Island Conquest” allows customers to test drive the Everest mid-size suburban utility vehicle (SUV), EcoSport compact SUV and the segment-defining ranger pickup.   The test drive arena located at the SM City Iloilo Northwing Parking features an outdoor course with a water-wading drive-thru to highlight the key features and capabilities of the Everest and Ranger.

“Visit the booths and try for yourself the capability of our vehicles,” said Ford Philippines brand manager Mark Cruz. Those who are interested only have to show their driver’s license.

The experiential test drive is the first to be held outside of Luzon and Manila. It was meant to entice more customers as there is now a growing demand for SUVs and pickup trucks in the province.

Engr. Leo Jellicoe R. Villavert, branch manager for Iloilo, said that their company ranks second in terms of monthly sales in Western Visayas with an average of 100 cars.   Monthly, some 400 to 450 vehicles are being sold monthly in the region.

He added that 80 percent of their markets are overseas Filipino workers, particularly sea-based workers and those in the medical field such as nurses.