BARACK OBAMA, who upset Hillary Clinton for the US presidential derby in the recent electric Democratic primary, has a 20-point lead on the issue of lowering gas prices in America.

This means that Americans think Obama, the 46-year-old senator from Illinois whose parents divorced when he was two years old, is better than John McCain, 71, in solving the “pain at the pump” now punishing not only the American public but the world’s everyday motorists, as well.

Usually, what happens in America affects the global mood.

In a survey, Jon Cohen cites that nearly eight in 10 Americans now call rising gas prices a financial burden, with those from lower-income households particularly apt to feel the pinch.

Writes Cohen: “Pump prices also appear to have a growing influence on behavior: More than half of all respondents in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll report cutting down on driving as a result. Fifty-five percent said they have reduced their time on the road, a 13-point increase from a month ago.”

It’s also happening now in this poor country of ours.

Notably, many have cut back on their trips to the country, hurting their regular friendly jousts with Mother Nature. I, for one, am among those who have substantially reduced, oftentimes momentous, sojourns to my roots. I don’t know if my unseen muse up the santol tree in the old backyard is hurting, but I can say, for sure, that I am suffering. Oh, how I love driving home and just sitting by the gurgling brook as the world glides gently into the horizon in the lengthening shadows.

Makes me think I’m human, mortal, again.

The polled Americans say the issue on gas and energy prices is the single most-important item in the presidential election between Obama and McCain in November.

In February, under 1 percent highlighted the issue as tops. This month, it rose to 6 percent.

Asked which candidate they trust to deal with the situation, 50 percent said Obama and 30 percent said McCain. Eleven percent said neither presumptive nominee is better on gas prices.

But according to Cohen, citing the survey, “There is little partisanship on assessments of the problem: As an issue, gas and energy costs are up across the spectrum, and big majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans alike find gas prices to be a financial burden. And the percentages perceiving the situation as a severe strain is up significantly among all three groups. A larger dividing line is income.”

Sadly, I also have to sacrifice, as our dear nation itself reels from surging gas prices.

Each time I motor back to my beloved birthplace, I deal not only with gas but with the North Luzon Expressway, as well, its toll being another nail driven painfully into the budget kitty. My P2,000 can now barely bring me to the country and back, that I have to don the Silas Marner cape to keep my sanity intact once the trip is over—if ever it’s conceived and achieved.

But here’s a bit of good news. The energy crisis has pushed innovators to come up with kits that turn any car into a plug-in hybrid.

According to Althea Chang of Forbes magazine, “Soon, drivers will be able to get at least double the gas mileage of a Toyota Prius hybrid, thanks to a spate of new aftermarket kits that convert any car into a plug-in electric vehicle. But they’ll have to pay upwards of $10,000 to do so.”

The conversion kits, according to Chang, offer the potential for 100 miles per gallon—and more.

Likewise, auto manufacturers are believed to be at least a year or two away from launching the next generation of hybrids. They will be called the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and they recharge by plugging into a wall outlet.

“But battery companies are ready to start selling aftermarket kits within the next few months that convert hybrids, and in some cases regular vehicles, into plug-in electric cars,” writes Chang, who singles out the A123 Systems as the pioneer.

“The A123Systems, an automotive-technology company and battery supplier based in Watertown, Massachusetts, is now taking orders for its Hymotion L5 conversion kit,” writes Chang. “It turns a Toyota Prius into a plug-in electric car. The $10,000 kit, due this fall, works with Prius model years 2004 through 2008 and adds a special, range-extending lithium-ion battery to the Prius’ existing drivetrain.”

That is just awesome.

Here’s more from Chang: “Using the A123’s plug-in system, the Prius, which normally runs only short distances at slow speeds on electric power alone, will have added battery power to extend its electric-only range and boost gas mileage to more than 100 miles per gallon. The Prius normally gets an estimated 46 mpg in combined city/highway driving.”

Ummm. Great, indeed. But still, I need the expert opinion of Danny “Sir John” Isla, the Prius high priest of Toyota Motor Philippines, before I take the plunge.

$10,000 can buy me a lifetime supply of beer—if not a brand-new Vios.

IN very much the same manner that it entered the competitive automotive market several years back, Hyundai is tackling difficult times with a bold and fearless move.

ANOTHER product of China has come to Philippine shores. Focus Ventures Inc. has opened its doors to introduce another automobile from the wakening giant—Chana automobiles and First Automobile Works (FAW) trucks—in what they chose to call a simple opening ceremony, which was attended by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Song Tao, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, as well as a whole slew of dignitaries and members of the press.

Chinacrisis 

SINCE its arrival in August 2007, the Chery QQ has been a source of fascination for many a motorist, considering its variants, size, price and the reputation that comes with Chinese-made cars. Combine that with seemingly perpetual never-ending oil-price hikes, and you have a car that can serve as a strictly urban point A-to-point B mover. But is it worth looking past competition such as the Kia Picanto, the Chevrolet Spark and the Suzuki Alto?

PASSENGER jeepneys and buses are still considered the main reasons traffic is still prevalent in many parts of the metropolis, especially on Edsa.

BARACK OBAMA, who upset Hillary Clinton for the US presidential derby in the recent electric Democratic primary, has a 20-point lead on the issue of lowering gas prices in America.

JACKIE STEWART’S hand was the first hand of a world motorsport champion that I had shaken. That was in 1999, during the inaugural of the Sepang Formula One Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Although at that time Stewart wasn’t the reigning Formula One champion anymore, the handshake still gave me a thrill. You don’t get the chance to talk to a living legend too often, much more grasp his hand in a tight, warm handshake. Afterward, Stewart gave me a personalized letter opener placed in a delicate blue box, with his vintage signature in it. Pure silver!