2/5. Why Bother With This SUV Anyway?

Despite the financial crisis and sagging vehicle sales, there are some vehicle launches which we will revisit and rate them for their significance. We would rate the vehicle launches between June 30, 1998 to January 20, 2001 by their success and significance in their market. Some vehicles paved way to future trends in the market while some were regarded as future classics and collectibles. Shown below are the vehicles, date of introduction (those after January 20, 2001 are excluded), short introduction, and significance rating (out of five) with some commentary. One of the great wonders to be released, the TT gives you unadulterated driving experience even though it has a "conservative" engine. And the dashing looks comes standard, which will be a future classic than the VW New Beetle. Significance rating (out of five): 4/5. Future classic for the future generation. Introduction date: Late 1998 for sedan. 2001 for coupe, convertible, and wagon.

One of the favorite of the upper class and upper income folks. This sold well despite the economic meltdown and spawned the 3 Series line-up by including a coupe, convertible, and wagon versions. It retained its driving prowess which the vehicle is known for. Significance rating: 5/5. Nobody beats the 3 Series, nobody. The American invasion had trickled to the lowest portion of the automotive chain: the compact sedan. If the Ford Lynx was successful, the Cassia struggled to find any buyers perhaps to those who are fans of Chevrolets. Other than a complete vehicle amenities, there is no other advantage. The Optra that succeed at least made a dent. Significance rating: 1/5. It tried but definitely failed. If the F150 succeeded, the Silverado was the opposite. It may have a potent V8 engine but it miserably failed on dealer support since only a handful of dealers are there to assist you.

Significance rating: 1/5. Chevrolets weren't successful during its first years. A space master which can fit 7 people in a tiny shell. Made from Europe with a European price tag, at P1.3M during that time. Dropped from the line-up in 2002 and returned a year later with a lower price tag thanks to a revision on vehicle taxes. Significance rating: 2/5. Too small a vehicle for the price. Supplementing the overpriced and unloved Dodge Caravan is the smaller Voyager. There is not much to say especially it didn't sell well. Significance rating: 1/5. No one bothered. Only made available to the Visayas (most especially Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod) and Mindanao markets, the Daewoo Matiz was the last "Daewoo badged" vehicle until the Aveo and Optra were blessed as Chevrolets. This tiny hatch competed with the aging Kia Pride and oddball Hyundai Atoz but with a limited market, the limited is very very small.

Significance rating: 1/5. The people's car which never took off. Transfarm released this Daimler Chrysler SUV alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Unlike the releases of Ford, the Durango could never be called a success especially that price killed it before anything else. CATS Motors released the second generation model five years later with proper aftersales support. Significance rating: 1/5. Toppling Ford was very hard for Transfarm. After their pull out in the mid 80s, Ford Group Philippines' return was abuzz when Fidel Ramos gave them tons of incentives to mull their manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna. To cement their presence, they sold first luxury vehicles such as the F150, Expedition, and E150 which sold well to the upper class market but gave Ford their gas guzzling image which resulted to low residuals. Significance rating: 4/5. They returned with much fan fare at the expense of their image. Launched a year after the Ranger, the Sport Trac was promoted for active lifestyles than off-roading, which the Ranger was known for.