Cars, floods and the Olympics

THE past two weeks have been quite a spectacle, with storms, floods, and submerged urban centers on one hand, and the grand opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics on the other.The thing is, in both spheres, automobiles and transportation were widely visible and sometimes even the centers of attention. Some cars were there in all their splendor, while others were dressed in gory and tragic liveries.The bad partSuper Typhoon Carina, heavily reinforced by the southwest monsoon, wreaked havoc on the towns, cities, and large urban centers of the country, particularly in western and central Luzon, and parts of southern Luzon.These weather disturbances dumped more rainwater on the Philippines' largest island, submerging 45 percent (according to government reports) of the low-lying parts of the affected areas, including roads, houses, schools, and, of course, cars.In Montalban and Rodriguez in Rizal, cars were seen floating in floodwaters. Even as far as Mauban, Quezon province, waters rose to a level that took with it big SUVs.I guess having a big car is not really a safe bet today when it comes to climate change, as the floods have become higher even as the President announced the completion of 5,500 flood control projects.We now expect a "flood" (pun intended) of second-hand, or as others would say "pre-loved" motor vehicles in the used car market. There are new experts now who can make a car submerged in flood water look real good if not inspected closely.Be careful when buying these units and only go to trusted dealers or perhaps just use that money as downpayment for a new car. You might be surprised at your capability to pay off a car loan in 2 to 3 years.The good partAutomobiles, or at least transportation, were also a big part of the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Contingents had in their parade different models, mostly of the premium or luxury kind.But the car companies were not only there for the glamour of it. Toyota was there for a specific task: to serve those who are differently abled.Videos of the different motor vehicles deployed by Toyota are now circulating on social media, showing the car company fielding vehicles that have equipment for wheelchairs and those who need assistance when moving about.Years ago, former Toyota President and now Chairman Akio Toyoda came out with a slogan, "Start your impossible!," that featured disabled athletes as the stars. At the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, we even had the honor to mingle with swimmers like Ernie Gawilan.I think the campaign was more for the many times aborted 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but that did not stop Toyota from continuing the program of mobility for the physically challenged.The 2024 Paris Olympics is no less important to Toyota, as the company displays technologies it has developed to assist the physically challenged in pursuing their dreams. And Toyota's technology may one day give total mobility to those in despair of moving about today.