Behold, The PhUV - Philippine Utility Vehicle

MANILA, Philippines — Feast your eyes on the Philippine Utility Vehicle, or PhUV, the latest attempt from this island country's government to create a national car. To be priced at around $7,500, it is cheap, but is it any good?

The Philippines is a very small market, and most people can't afford a new car. There are several businesses in the country, especially around the city of Cebu, that specialize in converting used Japanese vans into pickup trucks. Public transportation is partly handled by jeepneys, minibus-like contraptions with fiberglass bodies. Seven-seat closed light commercial vehicles are popular here and all over Southeast Asia. Assembly operations here by Toyota, Ford and some other companies exist, but with small output numbers.

Complete article: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=121282#2

Jeepneys rock!

EDIT - But this thing is butt-ugly

Edited June 17, 200718 yr by ZL-1

Almost as ugly as the Aztek..

Standard Taxi could import this for the MCE. :rotflmao:

If I bought one of these my license plate would say "PhUC PhUV"

Standard Taxi could import this for the MCE. :rotflmao:

That is exactly what came to mind for me too.

What this means to you: The efforts of Philippines entrepreneurs are laudable — but the PhUV looks dated before it gets onto the market and is unlikely to stand a chance against more accomplished competitors

Dated? as in the 50's? It''s not dated; it's sophmoric and ugly.

You sure that's not Scion's planned minivan addition to their lineup?

You sure that's not Scion's planned minivan addition to their lineup?

You know, I was thinking the same thing ...

It looks like the buyer took advantade of about 3k worth of Scion Accesories!

Could they build it in a special edition with yellow paint, ahuge red R on the side and a wing perhaps?

Chris