Tsikot.ph PHUV Prototype

[architect]

Actually, I was being NICE. The truth is we are more than 30 years behind in automotive building technology. Below is a 30-year old 1977 Ferrari 308GTB that is the state-of-the art during its time. It has a V8 engine that
churns out 255 horsepower and does 0-100kph in about 7 seconds.
Tell me architect, can the Filipinos build one up from scratch in the year 2007?

In fact, the DIESEL engine was invented in 1892 and we still have to use an ISUZU engine to power the PhUV. Until now, I have not seen an entirely Filipino-designed and built automobile engine runing in the streets.

The PhUV will have modest looks because our coachbuilding capabilities does not yet allow us to manufacture the complicated shapes that is commonly seen in cars today.

Of course, we have to start somewhere. but don't expect a breakthrough product. We still have a long way to go before we can be called world-class. Probably in 30 years- because it took the Koreans that long.

I guess from a purist’s standpoint, one can say Filipinos are 30 years behind simply because we can not build from scratch a 1977 Ferrari that was state-of-the-art for its time. But by the same token, Filipinos must be considered 20 years behind in computer technology simply because in all likelihood we can not build from scratch a mid 80s Cray supercomputer that was considered state-of-the-art technology for its time. Heck, we can’t even today build from scratch an original IBM PC! So we must be at least 26 years behind in computer technology!

But surely you will have to agree with the folly of such a statement considering the Philippines is a pioneer in mobile solutions; the source for top-caliber 3D graphic artists, and a cost-effective alternative for various BPOs in the global market.

Like computer technology, automotive technology is not a singular process that always results in the production of a single item (vehicle, in this case). Instead it is a multi-disciplinary field with various advancements and developments being achieved from time to time, some by Filipinos.

While it may be true that at this point we can not build a vehicle from scratch, the fact that so many talented home-grown, home-skilled Filipinos are employed overseas, working on innovative automotive projects in various capacities renders this point moot. It then becomes a matter of economical feasibility rather than that of being technologically challenged.

Moreover, in an increasingly globalized economy, it would be foolhardy for anyone to keep a product (intended for sale) ethnically pure without consideration for more cost-effective foreign-sourced materials. As it were, I doubt very much if there is any mass produced vehicle today that does not include foreign-made or foreign-designed components.

Is the Lexus GS to be considered not Japanese because it was designed by the Italian Giugiaro? Are some of BMW's models Chinese just because their engines are made in China? Just what makes an automobile belong to a country – is it the brand, is it its assembly place? So when do we designate the PhUV as no longer Filipino? When we use a Japanese or Chinese engine?

So what does the capacity to build a vehicle from scratch prove? More importantly, what is its relevance in determining whether Filipinos can properly harness technological breakthroughs to produce our own car – one that no other country can rightfully claim as their own?