WHEN Avanza first rolled off the assembly lines in 2006, it was called the “baby” of the IMV line of Toyota’s brand-new products.

Yes, but what a baby the Avanza had turned out to be. 

It offered a new approach to city driving.  Its maneuverability was picture-perfect for a mammoth metropolis messed up eternally by traffic jams that are, sadly, unmatched anywhere in the world.

It is durable, easy to maintain, in that its size is more of an asset than a liability as it could easily fit a family of five—with the kids’ playthings tossed into the van with ease all the time, anytime, and with plenty of space to spare. It has powers strong enough, fast enough, to traverse a country travel without much effort, muscle to muster.

It is so fuel-efficient that a junior executive can have the luxury of spending more for life’s luxuries saved regularly from the gas budget per month—from home to office and back, six days a week.

While the Avanza’s elders the first time they had been launched in 2006—Fortuner, Hi-Lux and Innova—had become instant hits themselves, the “baby” quickly rose to the occasion and would soon build its own niche in the motoring world.

Not long after Avanza’s birth, the Avanza Club of the Philippines was founded, marking another milestone in Toyota’s enduring stint in the country.

Every now and then, Ricky Sadiwa, the hubby of Malaya the short- and indie-filmmaker, would join meetings of the Avanza Club to share his views and the joys/merits of owning an Avanza.

It was unfortunate that Ricky, a computer expert with the multinational SeaChange at Techno Hub along Commonwealth Avenue, QC, had work to do the day the All-New Avanza was unveiled on January 12 at the NBC Tent at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Had he made it to the launch, Ricky would have expressed his profuse praise of how his Avanza had been behaving beautifully since he bought it in 2006:  “Never changed one teeny-weeny bit on matters of performance and fuel efficiency as well.”

Mich Sugata, the president of Toyota Motors Philippines, would have been flattered.

“I would have wanted to tell Mr. Sugata personally of how good my Avanza has been to me all these years,” Ricky said.

In his speech during the Avanza launch, Sugata said, “The Avanza, since its launch in 2006, has been a testament to Toyota’s continuous commitment to giving every customer the best products with utmost value for money.”

This time, the All-New Avanza has a 1.3-liter variant with an automatic transmission.

Noting that Avanza has sold “nearly 30,000 units” since its launch the first time, Sugata said, “It is no doubt that the Toyota Avanza has become one of the most preferred choices of Filipinos.”

The All-New Avanza has a new exterior styling that, when studied closely, might be a combination of Innova, Previa and a bit of Alphard.   Its interior has been totally redesigned to make it more spacious than its predecessor.

“We have carefully listened to our customers’ requests so that we have significantly improved also its riding comfort, handling and driving stability,” Sugata said.

One beauty of the Avanza is, its prize has remained almost basically the same as that of its predecessor “so as to make it affordable and competitive in the market.”

Yuji Goto, the executive vice president of TMP for marketing, told me during the launch that the Avanza supply “will be steady and we will maintain our excellent quality service and parts availability in all our dealerships nationwide.”

I can believe that since Toyota’s more than 30 networks make TMP the biggest car company in the country.

“We are in full operation once more, thanks to the resilience of our brethren in Japan, who had coped up well with the twin tragedies that hit Japan in March 2011,” said Santos “Sonny” Guerrero, the shy, soft-spoken TMP senior vice president.  “Opening 2012 with the launch of the All-New Avanza should augur well for another bright year for Toyota Motors.”

In his well-applauded speech, Sugata heaped praise on Kaoru Hosakawa, the architect of Avanza.

Calling Hosakawa “the legendary Chief Engineer,” Sugata said, “We are fortunate to have with us the man behind the success of the IMV series and the Toyota Avanza.”

When it was his turn to speak, Hosakawa, who strongly resembles the great and genius Albert Einstein, made many sigh when he said he was bidding goodbye to “the future development of the IMV series and Avanza as I will soon be assigned in Europe.”

“His new assignment is another proof of his genius on matters of vehicle technology,” said Danny “Sir John” Isla, a TMP senior VP before he was assigned president of Lexus Manila Inc.

Sugata would end his speech by announcing that Toyota has again crowned itself as Triple Crown winner for 2011, making it an unprecedented 10 straight years for Toyota to sweep all three major categories in sales volume sold of passenger car (Vios), commercial vehicle (Innova) and overall total sales.

“Rough and tough was year 2011,” said Sugata, “but despite that, we were able to overcome these challenges, dominate the market and garner these achievements.  Let me again thank all of you for your continued support and trust in Toyota.”

Indeed, at times, it’s easy to become No. 1.  What isn’t easy is maintaining that spot.

Thus, for Toyota to be No. 1 in the automotive business for 10 consecutive years, I am at a loss for words to describe this feat.

Maybe, Alfred Ty can supply the superlatives?

Pee stop. Once the NLEx-SLEx Connector Road, to be built to the tune of P20 billion, gets completed by 2014, travel time from Balintawak to Baclaran would take only 20 minutes, according to Mon Fernandez. Mon, handsome and dapper in any attire he slips into, is the Big Boss at Tollways Management Corp. (a Metro Pacific Group company). All the best, Mon! … After surviving the financial earthquake that rocked the economy during the early ’80s, key officers and money market traders of leading investment bank IUCP-Atrium met for the first time after 30 years. Danding Yotoko, Joey Ferro, Boy Kalaw, Jorge Navarra, Ed Buenviaje, Vic Wenceslao, Candy Huang, Marivic Alvarez, Geean Arnaldo, Tony Razon and Amy Suarez (on a visit from the US) had a memorable time renewing close ties forged during those very difficult times (when the Philippines, among other black swan events, defaulted on its foreign obligations). The reunion, held at Charlie’s Speakeasy, lasted only a few hours; hence, a clamor for another get-together from the investment banking veterans.  Those interested to renew their ties with this group may e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ....Today is the 20th day of 2012 and the concrete bus/jeepney stop from across St. Peter’s Parish along Commonwealth Avenue, QC, has yet to be dismantled. Vehicular accidents have been happening there since 2008. Paging MMDA boss Francis Tolentino.