The Philippine Jeepney may be approaching its twilight years, especially as the government continues to push for modernization if it is to continue to serve as a means of public transport. The vehicle is both ubiquitous and infamous, serving both as a symbol of Filipino ingenuity, but also quite possibly holding the transport sector back from truly progressing.

Nonetheless, we have many jeepney builders to thank for building such an iconic vehicle to such a staggering number that we have today. Of the many builders around the country, there are two that stand out as giants in the particular field.

One, Brand S, is practically synonymous with the jeepney. It has been building them for years, and is likely the first brand that comes to mind when you mention jeepney builder. The other, Brand F, is still quite a reputable builder. At one point in the past, it even put together a rival drop-side pickup to battle against the original Toyota Tamaraw and Ford Fiera.

Today, both brands are well aware of the jeepney’s impending demise and are both developing modernized versions of the original jeepney that meet the governments new requirements for lower emissions, improved safety, and possibly even electric propulsion. Where they differ is in how these projects are promoted.

The former, Brand S, appears to have its head firmly on its shoulders. The Jeepney builder was among the first to answer the government’s call for a modernized jeepney and has since put together several examples one with a conventional ICE, another with electric power, both still strongly inspired by the original jeepney’s iconic Willys Jeep look. These prototypes have been making the rounds of Modern PUV and commercial transport expos, showing visitors how the company is ready to update and improve the jeepney to modern demands.

The latter has been doing the same, and perhaps going a little further. It has been taking full advantage of social media and even AI-tools to promote its efforts, projects, and concepts. Its CEO has been sharing update after update on multiple projects. It started with several ideas for a modern jeepney. Lately it seems to be branching into the consumer sector with its latest presentation featuring a passenger electric car. The company also has what appears to be an AI model or an operating system. I can’t tell what it is exactly as the descriptions are quite vague.

While there’s certainly no problem with casting a wider net, what worries me are the strategies used to highlight its efforts. This company continues to waive the Filipino flag, proclaiming its products as proudly Filipino. Yet in the same breath, it claims it has facilities in the US and China, where these concepts are being developed and may possibly even be manufactured at.

Does that still make these vehicles Filipino? I’m fairly certain these countries would prefer these factories abroad to hire locals, and not fly in foreigners to work there. Even then, aren’t these operations more costly than simply putting up a factory in the Philippines, with Filipino employees, building Filipino cars for a Filipino market? Why even deal with the complexities of shipping and tariffs?

Finally, this company says its modern jeepneys and “first Filipino electric car” are already being developed. In fact, it is even accepting reservations already. Yet throughout this all, we haven’t seen an actual picture of the vehicle, much less its rolling chassis, or the facility where it is supposedly being developed.

There’s a lot of Pinoy-baiting and buzzwords like AI, connected, intelligence, and electric being thrown around. However, there’s very little proof of any of it being integrated or applied into the actual vehicles.

I don’t doubt this CEO will most likely call me a naysayer, a doubter, or another kabayan with crab mentality. Yet tell me who is doing more harm: someone simply questioning some inconsistencies, or the one inviting his countrymen to hop on board his hype train for a fee?

I’m more excited to see the progress of Brand S. No lofty ambitions, no facilities abroad, but at the very least, there is a physical vehicle I can see, touch, and even drive.