Why RP street life is (still) filled with Adventures

[p_borj]

http://business.inquirer.net/money/f...ith-Adventures

By Tessa Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:21:00 05/18/2010

Filed Under: Transport, Road Transport
ASK ANY PINOY DRIVER (WHO STILL HAS a sound mind) what driving on Philippine streets is like (particularly on Edsa), and the common word would most likely be “adventure.”

Adventure, this time with a capital “A,” would be considered another common sighting on our streets. For 12 years, Mitsubishi Motors’ iconic version of the Asian utility vehicle (AUV) has been shuttling people from all walks of life. Originally thrown into the burgeoning AUV segment to compete directly with the likes of Toyota’s FX (and later on the Revo) and Isuzu’s Hilander and Crosswind, the Adventure’s basic body configuration remains, with just a few modifications through the years. The latest version of the Super Sport, GLS Sport and GLX variants, for example, now sport a new radiator front grille design reminiscent of that of the Pajero, to name a few.
And now, even as Toyota has moved on and phased out the Revos and FXs and replaced them with the IMV vehicles Innova and Avanza, the Adventure remains and still manages a sales average of 500 units a month.
What’s keeping this Adventure alive?

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., prodded with this question, offers an answer that seems to explain everything: A diverse customer profile that includes deep-pursed, brand-loyal OFWs, small and medium enterprises, and start-up families in the B and C/D segment. MMPC has made sure that these customers get exactly what they want: A workhorse of an AUV designed for a variety of purposes, be it personal or for business. The move has been spot on. In October 2009, during the relaunch of MMPC’s Balik-Bayani Auto Program, roughly half of the hundreds of applications specified an Adventure.

MMPC further explains that as long as there is a demand for a basic vehicle flexible enough to be used for private and business purposes and requires relatively low investments for maintenance, the Adventure will always be on the streets. And with the various upgrades Mitsubishi has done for the Adventure through the years, a strong value-for-money proposition has also been established.
Last year, MMPC was able to secure 28.4 percent of the AUV market share, good enough for 2nd place (Toyota secured the first place with the Innova).

The latest version of the Adventure (for the Super Sport, GLS Sport, GLX) offers enhancements in its in-car entertainment and display features, such as: 2-DIN CD/MP3/Tuner/USB port, Bluetooth-capable audio phone, and new instrument meter cluster design. The steering wheel has also been redesigned (for the GLS Sport and GLX), while the Super Sport spare tire cover has likewise been retouched.
The Adventure’s diesel engine, however, has basically stayed the same throughout the years. With the growing popularity of the common-rail direct injection (CRDi) technology, will Mitsubishi replace the Adventure diesel engine with something similar?

MMPC replies that if the proposed upgrading of Philippine emission regulations to Euro 4 is given the go signal in 2014, MMPC would then have to upgrade the Adventure diesel engine either with Direct Injection or Direct Injection with common rail.

But why not replace it now, with the demand for CRDi peaking? MMPC further explains that upgrading the engine would definitely increase the cost of production, since it would involve not only the cost of the CRDi engine assembly, but also R&D costs. Add to that would be the increased cost of maintaining the Euro4-level engine in a Euro2 fuel environment. So why fix something that isn’t broke (or belching smoke)?

Thus, the Adventure’s retail prices remain right smack within the budgets of its intended markets. As of April, the Adventure GX Dsl carries a price tag of P708,000; the Adventure GLX Dsl P795,000; the Adventure GLS Sport P855,000; and the Adventure Super Sport P918,000.

12 years, over 72,000 Adventures

Since its introduction in 1998, 72,555 Adventures have already been sold. In comparison, the Toyota Revo, introduced in 1998 had 69,959 units sold before being replaced by the Innova. The Isuzu Crosswind, introduced in 2001, had 55,711 units sold as of March 2010. The Adventure played a key role in capturing the number one spot for MMPC in 1998.
In March 2006, MMPC commemorated the 50, 000th unit production milestone for Adventure.

The Adventure was jointly developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC), MMPC and MMC affiliates/distributors from Taiwan (China Motor Corp) and Indonesia (PT. Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors). The development and design works for the vehicle started in 1995. In Taiwan, the Adventure is called the Freeca, while in Indonesia it is branded as the Kuda.
In the Philippines, the Adventure has been popular enough for a fan club to be created around it.

The Mitsubishi Adventure Club gathers regularly to share knowledge on maintenance, aesthetic modifications, and troubleshooting tips. It’s enough proof that the resilient Pinoy can’t do without an Adventure or two in his or her life.

whew, nabanggit pa ang MAC hehe. proud member lolz.

[niky]

People still need basic transport. Thankfully, Mitsubishi doesn't price their top-of-the-line Advies as ludicrously as Isuzu prices the Sportivo.

[vinj]

I personally like the latest iteration of the Advie with the horizontal chrome grille and the thicker steering wheel. The new HU has a bright glare though and is irritating at night.

Good value for money as it undercuts the Innova.

[aejhayl17]

that's not a surprise anymore. practical kase ang Advie imho.

anyways, when will a new body, new engine and new over-all design will come out? matagal na din ang design ng advie, puro minor facelift or aesthetic changes lang.

[p_borj]

that's not a surprise anymore. practical kase ang Advie imho.

anyways, when will a new body, new engine and new over-all design will come out? matagal na din ang design ng advie, puro minor facelift or aesthetic changes lang.

minsan napapaisip ako diyan sa sinabi mo but... I think, kahit same body pa rin for years to come, bebenta pa rin talaga eh because of its practicality, so why bother. isa pa, baka tumaas pa ang price kapag nagbago nang body hehe.

[aejhayl17]

minsan napapaisip ako diyan sa sinabi mo but... I think, kahit same body pa rin for years to come, bebenta pa rin talaga eh because of its practicality, so why bother. isa pa, baka tumaas pa ang price kapag nagbago nang body hehe.

yan din ang naiisip ko. but for its old design and old engine, dapat bumaba na din ang price niya. kase outdated na. you know what i mean. pero malamang mas dumami ang bumil, kase mura against the competition unlike sa crosswind.

parang Lancer GLS yan, bumaba na yung price niya kase may Lancer EX na.

how about sa advie? lahat ng model nila bago na or may bago na ilalabas, but for the advie, kwestiyonable pa din.

im still waiting for an ALL-new Advie, kahit same engine but new exterior design. Advie fan din kase ako.

[O.F.DoubleU]

http://business.inquirer.net/money/f...ith-Adventures

whew, nabanggit pa ang MAC hehe. proud member lolz.

gawing CRDi ang adventure? gusto ba nilang maging katulad ng korean cars ke bago bago, daming reklamo,tignan mo sa forum meron CRDi 1 day lng gustong baklasin ng fuel tank dahil meron daw water contaminants fuel nya, meron namang STA.fe 1 Month pa lng Diesel quality related dahil Euro-5 ultra sensitive sa diesel dito,meron namang TCM(transmission control module) pina update ang software dahil unstable ang clutch yun pala Diesel related din. yung isa naman Tucson biglang namatayan ng makina ECU(egine control unit) naman daw ang dahilan(buti nalang wlang kasalubong na sasakyan) ,modern engine modern headache,kahit technician nila parang ngaun lang na encounter nag ganoon na problema, tapos every year pabago bago pa ng design, bili ka this year,next year ibang technology naman,ano ba yan, what we need a vehicle that we reach from point A to point B at minimal cost of maintenance, yung wlang ECU/TCM at kung ano ano pa na computer box dyan, computer ko nga sa bahay biglang mag restart minsan, lalo na yung CRdi engine na yan.Hopefully mitsubishi adventure will be same as what we know for years to come, if they want CRDi there are lot option to choose with.

[aejhayl17]

^^ question pala: diba parehas 4d56 ang engine ng Montero at advie? ang pinagkaiba is nakaturbo ang Montero right? so if they have the same 4d56, hindi pa ba CRDI version ang nasa advie since ,from what i heard, CRDI version 4d56-T ang nasa Montero?

[p_borj]

^^ question pala: diba parehas 4d56 ang engine ng Montero at advie? ang pinagkaiba is nakaturbo ang Montero right? so if they have the same 4d56, hindi pa ba CRDI version ang nasa advie since ,from what i heard, CRDI version 4d56-T ang nasa Montero?

ang pagkakaalam ko DiD (crdi) na yun.

[p_borj]

gawing CRDi ang adventure? gusto ba nilang maging katulad ng korean cars ke bago bago, daming reklamo,tignan mo sa forum meron CRDi 1 day lng gustong baklasin ng fuel tank dahil meron daw water contaminants fuel nya, meron namang STA.fe 1 Month pa lng Diesel quality related dahil Euro-5 ultra sensitive sa diesel dito,meron namang TCM(transmission control module) pina update ang software dahil unstable ang clutch yun pala Diesel related din. yung isa naman Tucson biglang namatayan ng makina ECU(egine control unit) naman daw ang dahilan(buti nalang wlang kasalubong na sasakyan) ,modern engine modern headache,kahit technician nila parang ngaun lang na encounter nag ganoon na problema, tapos every year pabago bago pa ng design, bili ka this year,next year ibang technology naman,ano ba yan, what we need a vehicle that we reach from point A to point B at minimal cost of maintenance, yung wlang ECU/TCM at kung ano ano pa na computer box dyan, computer ko nga sa bahay biglang mag restart minsan, lalo na yung CRdi engine na yan.Hopefully mitsubishi adventure will be same as what we know for years to come, if they want CRDi there are lot option to choose with.

sir owner ba kayo nang CRDI engine vehicle na may masamang experience?

[aejhayl17]

ang pagkakaalam ko DiD (crdi) na yun.

so sir O.FW is might be missing some details, since the 4d56 DiD engine equipped on Advies are CRDI version already. yet these are tough and durable like their ancestor original 4d56.

sir owner ba kayo nang CRDI engine vehicle na may masamang experience?

+1 mukhang lake ng galet ni sir O.F.W. sa CRDI e.

[oliver1013]

Ewan ko lang sa MMC pero sana magkaron na nga ng Fuzion na diesel, then yung adventure retain nalang nila yung 2 variants na pinaka sellable.

[roberto_minosa]

I don't think the Adventure needs a more powerful engine with CRDI. A simple non-intercooled turbo would do, like what Isuzu does with the Crosswind.

[locoroco777]

gawing CRDi ang adventure? gusto ba nilang maging katulad ng korean cars ke bago bago, daming reklamo,tignan mo sa forum meron CRDi 1 day lng gustong baklasin ng fuel tank dahil meron daw water contaminants fuel nya, meron namang STA.fe 1 Month pa lng Diesel quality related dahil Euro-5 ultra sensitive sa diesel dito,meron namang TCM(transmission control module) pina update ang software dahil unstable ang clutch yun pala Diesel related din. yung isa naman Tucson biglang namatayan ng makina ECU(egine control unit) naman daw ang dahilan(buti nalang wlang kasalubong na sasakyan) ,modern engine modern headache,kahit technician nila parang ngaun lang na encounter nag ganoon na problema, tapos every year pabago bago pa ng design, bili ka this year,next year ibang technology naman,ano ba yan, what we need a vehicle that we reach from point A to point B at minimal cost of maintenance, yung wlang ECU/TCM at kung ano ano pa na computer box dyan, computer ko nga sa bahay biglang mag restart minsan, lalo na yung CRdi engine na yan.Hopefully mitsubishi adventure will be same as what we know for years to come, if they want CRDi there are lot option to choose with.

HI sir!

I can totally see your point....Although the Commonrail System of MMC has its own share of problems...Let us put into consideration that Hyundai is different car brand than of the Mitsubishi...Same principles on the commonrail engine but still differs on almost everything....Suppliers, Manufacturing, Quality control etc.

also...the problem you are pointing out isn't totally hyundai's fault...its in part being blamed on the High Sulfur Content of the Diesel fuel or commonly known as Dirty Diesel that is being Sold in our gas stations...

and Let us be reminded that Hyundai now is one of the top car manufacturers in the world....and I'm pretty sure they didn't achieve that by making Sh*tty cars that could not compete on the market..

just my 2 cents...

[locoroco777]

*locorroco pero yung nasa MS sir? CRDI 4d56-t na yun? anu ba yung term ng Mitsu sa CRDI engine nila?

oo bro..that one is CRDi na...

aej :

DiD ang alam ko.

actually DiD kasi yung naging term nung unang Direct injection Diesel that was put on the earlier version ng pajero...now, when they launch the DiD with commonrail technology yun na din siguro yung ginamit na term nila para they can have their own identity na din siguro parang D4d ng toyota...since sumisibol na yung CRDi na term being used by almost all brands....

e bakit may nakalagay na DiD emblem sa likod ng mga bagong advie? hehe labo ng mistu

San mo nakita bro?,,,,kung sa casa....I'll check on it...baka inde ako updated....hehehe...kung sa labas malamang nyan lagay mo na sa ricey thread...hehe

[renzo_d10]

DiD sa Adventure, asenso ah.

Sana nagala paparazzi ka uli, pinicturan mo.

Oh well, kung sabagay ... may nakita nga akong Strada ng Meralco with IDD emblem tapos ang variant ay GSL.

[ianmitsulancer]

--AFAIK/IMO--

The Adventure... another heir to the L300 tenure like throne...

During my tambay moments in Motorplaza way back 1995-6 a friend of mine told me that there will be a "Wagon that will be based from the L300"... I probably had the biggest question mark in mind on how will that materialize and i didn't have any idea that this would be a competitor of the Tamaraw FX. I thought it would a "a class of its own" since the L300 Versa Van at that time was "upscale".

Fast forward to January 28, 1998, The first time i saw this at the launch in ULTRA, Pasig, i was impressed with the overall packaging and I realized that the GLS and GL variants back then had a very big gap in terms of equipment. this was resolved with the GLX that came later that year. Take note- this was the ONLY time in modern car sales history when Mitsubishi over took Toyota.

After the Introduction of several standard aesthetic and mechanical upgrades like the increase of the rear tread and the introduction of the 2.0 4G63 16V engine and the GX, Super Sport and Grand Sport variants, i realized that the Adventure was starting to age when they installed the boulay face in 2004 and started to realize that Mitsubishi MUST be designing a replacement as the Innova was launched in 2005. True enough, i came across Mitsu Taiwan's website later that year to see the online launch of the Zinger and to this date, it is taking ages to fully utilize this this "Second Generation Adventure" with a CRDi on local assembly. Time flies indeed.

As of now, the Adventure could use a little helping of a Turbocharger (+Intercooler sana)- just like the 1990-1993 1st Gen Pajero. It may losing out (even a bit) from the Isuzu Crosswind (even the XL variant is turbocharged) and this is actually one of the complaints of some Sales Associates i know. No Matter how much sugar coating they do, it needs more torque. But otherwise, gets the job done. Don't expect the CRDi to be installed here. Tessa's article says it all. Airbags and ABS+EBD? i think it should be added too. But by 2014, i predict that the Adventure will cease production and it will be replaced by the Fuzion. Or at least decrease the variants to the GX and GLX instead to prevent redundancy with the Fuzion.

What i like about its current standing is that the overall packaging and advertising is not overkill unlike the Crosswind with variants exceeding 1 Million and all the borloloy they can think of. Although the current Super Sport has too much perfume for the pig, the GLS Sport are for those who want a bit more kit, the GLX is just right. Just add an alarm and power door locks and you will have an Adventure GLS (2002 model year equipment level). Just don't order it in White. hehehe...

[Starex_Gold]

gawing CRDi ang adventure? gusto ba nilang maging katulad ng korean cars ke bago bago, daming reklamo,tignan mo sa forum meron CRDi 1 day lng gustong baklasin ng fuel tank dahil meron daw water contaminants fuel nya, meron namang STA.fe 1 Month pa lng Diesel quality related dahil Euro-5 ultra sensitive sa diesel dito,meron namang TCM(transmission control module) pina update ang software dahil unstable ang clutch yun pala Diesel related din. yung isa naman Tucson biglang namatayan ng makina ECU(egine control unit) naman daw ang dahilan(buti nalang wlang kasalubong na sasakyan) ,modern engine modern headache,kahit technician nila parang ngaun lang na encounter nag ganoon na problema, tapos every year pabago bago pa ng design, bili ka this year,next year ibang technology naman,ano ba yan, what we need a vehicle that we reach from point A to point B at minimal cost of maintenance, yung wlang ECU/TCM at kung ano ano pa na computer box dyan, computer ko nga sa bahay biglang mag restart minsan, lalo na yung CRdi engine na yan.Hopefully mitsubishi adventure will be same as what we know for years to come, if they want CRDi there are lot option to choose with.

:um: :hammer: :hit:

Matanong ko lang, inaano ka ng Hyundai?

[marcdom88]

Before the thread starts getting nasty, I am very much tempted to butt in and express my agreement with O.F.DoubleU.

I own a 2010 Advie Gls Sport, and here is what i can say: it isn't CRDi, just pure old fashion engine tweaked with EGR and catalytic converter; has no ECU; can't do sudden overtakes like CRDi engines do; noisy engine at 100kph and beyond.

Nonetheless what i love about it is: cheap maintenance (PMS price is peanuts compared to other diesels i know of); simple engine means you won't die of stress and tension whenever an "Ondoy" class flooding comes your way; comfort level is tolerable; you don't need to worry about diesel quality (heck, i even placed well strained two liters of used veggie oil in it when my advie was still 2K km old); any mechanic of sound mind understands the 4D56; and most of all, my pamangkins love it! (over their parents' Dmaxes and Starexes)

As to speed, i observed that a car that can run 200kph can't do more than a farm tractor in heavy traffic situations, so why bother? As to fuel efficiency, the difference between CRDi vs. Naturally Aspirated Indirect Injection engines don't matter much. Two or three liter difference is not so vital when you think of the high sticker price you paid for your CRDi.

Just my two cents....

[Starex_Gold]

Before the thread starts getting nasty, I am very much tempted to butt in and express my agreement with O.F.DoubleU.

I own a 2010 Advie Gls Sport, and here is what i can say: it isn't CRDi, just pure old fashion engine tweaked with EGR and catalytic converter; has no ECU; can't do sudden overtakes like CRDi engines do; noisy engine at 100kph and beyond.

Nonetheless what i love about it is: cheap maintenance (PMS price is peanuts compared to other diesels i know of); simple engine means you won't die of stress and tension whenever an "Ondoy" class flooding comes your way; comfort level is tolerable; you don't need to worry about diesel quality (heck, i even placed well strained two liters of used veggie oil in it when my advie was still 2K km old); any mechanic of sound mind understands the 4D56; and most of all, my pamangkins love it! (over their parents' Dmaxes and Starexes)

As to speed, i observed that a car that can run 200kph can't do more than a farm tractor in heavy traffic situations, so why bother? As to fuel efficiency, the difference between CRDi vs. Naturally Aspirated Indirect Injection engines don't matter much. Two or three liter difference is not so vital when you think of the high sticker price you paid for your CRDi.

Just my two cents....

I / We do understand you sir. Meron din kami non CRDi Starex (4D56-T engine). Powerful enough pero iniiwan lang sya nung GL Grandia namin sa acceleration

Iba po kasi yung sinabi ni OFW. Direkta nyang tinira yung Hyundai. At syempre masakit yun para sa mga merong Hyundai. Bakit sila mag bibigay ng 5 years warranty kung di maganda ang quality ng gawa nila diba.

Bad diesel quality ng Pilipinas kaya may mga Toyota D-4D na pumapalya, sino ba dapat sisihin? ang Toyota dahil gumawa sila ng CRDi D-4D engines? o ang Big 3 kasi madumi ang ginagawa nilang diesel? Hindi naman kasalanan ng Toyota na gumawa ng CRDi D-4D engines kasi part yan ng pag-asenso nila.

Hindi po masama magka CRDi engine. Dito lang naman sa Pilipinas nagkaka problema eh. Naging nature din ng pilipino na may pagka kuripot sa maintenance. Pero tama ka sir marcdom88, mas madali at mas mura alagaan ang Non CRDi engines.