Mitsubishi Philippines, partner launch bus-jeepney crossbreed

[noobskie]

Mitsubishi Philippines, partner launch bus-jeepney crossbreed
by Patrick Everett Tadeo November 11, 2009


Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) and partner Almazora Motors introduced a fresh alternative to jeepney and buses: the BEEP.

The BEEP, inspired by Europe's Gruau Microbus, is a micro bus that is suitable for Metro Manila's crowded streets--making it an ideal replacement for jeepneys and Asian utility vehicle (AUV).

"The auto industry should not only care about selling brand new vehicles but also take a lead role in improving the mass transport system," Mitsubishi Philippnies president and chief executive Masahiko Ueki said. "Since no assembler has really pursued to modernize the public transportation, MMPC as a socially responsible automotive company have collaborated with Almazora to come up with a better solution for mass transportation."

Using a FUSO Canter light duty truck chassis from Mitsubishi Philippines, Almazora Motors designed and manufactured a bus body that can accommodate 18 passengers on bench-type seats and up to eight standing commuters.

The BEEP's Mitsubishi engine complies with Euro emission standards, making it more environment-friendly than surplus Japanese engines used in today's jeepneys. Its high-roof, low-floor, and large wraparound windows make the interior roomier while reducing the driver's blind spots.

The BEEP is also fully-configurable depending on the needs of the client. Almazora executive vice president Conrad Almazora said his company can manufacture as much as 50 standard-configuration BEEPs a month, with a turnaround time of one month from order placement.

The bus-jeepney hybrid of Mitsubishi Philippines and Almazora is priced at P1.6 million, almost twice the price of an AUV. Its revenue potential, however, is more than double due to the larger seating capacity. Acquisition is also easier through bank financing.

From: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/mitsu...ney-crossbreed

So what do you guys think? The future of Philippine mass transportation or another idea down the drain? The name is quite catchy though, BEEP! hahaha! It never did mention if it had airconditioning but I am hopeful since the glass windows are the panel types found in most full-sized aircon buses here.

[jpdm]

From: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/mitsu...ney-crossbreed

So what do you guys think? The future of Philippine mass transportation or another idea down the drain? The name is quite catchy though, BEEP! hahaha! It never did mention if it had airconditioning but I am hopeful since the glass windows are the panel types found in most full-sized aircon buses here.

I think its a great move by Mitsubishi-Almazora. This can be a good alternative to jeepneys in Metro.

And better than those Korean second hand coaster type minibuses and vans or Chinese buses.

Medyo may kamahalan lang....

[renzo_d10]

Cool. :cool: I just hope that the drivers wont be the same with the " big bus " drivers.

Or else, they'll just add up to the problems of other motorists.

[ghosthunter]

it would be nice if these new vehicles would have a speedlimiter built into the vehicle.

[renzo_d10]

^ 40kph ?

[ghosthunter]

^ 40kph ?

why not? It would save them money as well in fuel and brake pads.

[noobskie]

60kph seems like a more reasonable speed limiter for these things. Anyway, any thoughts on this having any air-conditioning?

[renzo_d10]

^^ Well yeah and since they would be only driving in city streets.

[divadnosaj]

ang taas!! pero ok yan, mas mahirap ata iswerve pag mataas.. :D

[foifoi05]

do they have those standard single seats option? ayus ito, pwede din private, large family trips, mas mura ba ito sa coaster?

[marg]

Its about time. We should start getting rid of those ugly jeepneys and bring the country to the 21st century.

[niky]

60kph seems like a more reasonable speed limiter for these things. Anyway, any thoughts on this having any air-conditioning?

There'll be microwave transmitters on EDSA that will unlock the 60 km/h limiter. Everywhere else, it'll be 40.

-

AC? Can't tell... if it does, it doesn't have the bus-type AC with a separate motor... most likely the standard compressor found on the Canter engine, only... might be a bit warm.

1.6 million is pretty cheap for a bus with a brand new engine and body. Too bad secondhand buses that can hold over twice as many passengers cost only 1 million. Only way this can take off is if the government decides to change the law to also ban importation of secondhand buses.

Of course, there will also be stiff competition from locally assembled buses with secondhand engines...

-

Still... I think this is a very good idea. Looks like something we might want to buy for the school... if only they'd fix the seating so that it could hold a full twenty passengers.

[nickriingen]

Nice vehicle and alternative to jeepneys. Its about time to phase out those old, dirty, uncomfortable, ugly, cramped World War 2 vintages which belongs to Jurassic era of transportation. These are designed by backyard mechanics, tinsmith, welders and not by engineers. At least we could move out of our Third World Forever status with these modern vehicles equipped with new engines/ powertrain, comfort, passive and safety features. If you are a regular commuter, you will observe that the riding public is veering away from jeepneys and prefer to ride FX shuttles, vans, buses, LRT/ MRT trains which are faster and more comfortable.

[foifoi05]

they should implement the Singapore type e-card for this type so that there will be no hassle for conductors/driver getting the payment

[OyiL]

they should implement the Singapore type e-card for this type so that there will be no hassle for conductors/driver getting the payment

not yet good for this. wala pa infrastructure. maraming hassle din sa e-card, lalo na kung maraming individual operators. pero maganda iyan pag buo na yung infrastructure. the e-card system uses gps for fare calculation. transactions are also recorded for each e-card para pag may reklamo, madali sila nakakapag-investigate. meron din nandadaya, pag "toot" pag-sakay, nag "toot" ulit agad para minimum fare bayad. kailangan ma-manage lahat yun.

back to topic: i also like that "kei-looking" bus. kaya lang, pang city lang ito. delikado ito bumiyahe sa linya nung mga provincial bus.

palitan na lahat ng jeep, NOW NA!

magstart kaya ng shop na mag-coconvert ng jeepney sa ganitong body?

[foifoi05]

^of course implementation automatically includes all the concerns that you've mentioned

[ghosthunter]

not yet good for this. wala pa infrastructure. maraming hassle din sa e-card, lalo na kung maraming individual operators. pero maganda iyan pag buo na yung infrastructure. the e-card system uses gps for fare calculation. transactions are also recorded for each e-card para pag may reklamo, madali sila nakakapag-investigate. meron din nandadaya, pag "toot" pag-sakay, nag "toot" ulit agad para minimum fare bayad. kailangan ma-manage lahat yun.

We should have a system like the Octopus card system used in Hong Kong. One card for many systems like the subway, trams and even buses. The card can even be used to pay for items at some convenience stores and fast food places like KFC and McDo. And you can reload the same card at those convenience stores as well.

[OyiL]

We should have a system like the Octopus card system used in Hong Kong. One card for many systems like the subway, trams and even buses. The card can even be used to pay for items at some convenience stores and fast food places like KFC and McDo. And you can reload the same card at those convenience stores as well.

exactly like the e-card. you can even link it to your atm card that will automatically top-up the stored value when it reaches a low threshold that you can set yourself.

[kihtmaine]

From: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/mitsu...ney-crossbreed

So what do you guys think? The future of Philippine mass transportation or another idea down the drain? The name is quite catchy though, BEEP! hahaha! It never did mention if it had airconditioning but I am hopeful since the glass windows are the panel types found in most full-sized aircon buses here.

Is it feasible for a million and 6? If im the operator I could assemble a coaster or rosa type bus for 2 capable of 24 or more passengers and the remaining is for the franchise or a kc2700 or H100 and the rest for the GT express franchise.

Just my 2 cents.

[ianmitsulancer]

I would like to see the interior pictures whenever possible...

1.6M? this is like getting a Montero Sport GLS SE... hehehe...

i think offices that prioritizes in transporting their employees will find this interesting. If Mitsubishi Motors Philippines cannot produce a van like the Starex and Grandia, this is it... probably.

it looks well built with decent fit and finish quality based on the picture. i'm taking note of the curved from windshield- very bus-like.