This was how Elizabeth H. Lee, senior vice president of Universal Motors Corporation, pictured the Filipino on how he survives in difficult times. "All he needs is a chance," she added.

Very much aware of the adverse impact of the country’s prevailing political crisis into the automotive industry, Ms. Lee got suggestions from the resilient Pinoys who have withered the economic difficulties through hard work. Their hard earned money still allowed them to own a Nissan shuttle van that eventually became their loyal partner to successful business ventures.

There were numerous tales of diskarte sa negosyo that prompted UMC to spearhead the "Ur Van, Ur Business" program. It gives business-minded Filipinos an opportunity to own a brand new Nissan Urvan Shuttle van which is known for its dependability, practicality and versatility in a variety of business undertakings.

Starting with P200,000 as down payment for the Nissan Urvan, the "Ur Van, Ur Business" program of UMC guides small scale entrepreneurs to turn their van into a profitable venture. Some friends even pooled their resources to come up with the needed start up capital.

"Actually, we got the idea from Nissan Urvan owners themselves who shared their stories," she said. Their tales are about turning their Urvans into shuttles, rental service, school bus, cargo vehicles and even ambulances that made their investment a self-liquidating venture.

With a price tag of P1,000,019, the Nissan Urvan can be acquired under installment plans with some P28,000 in monthly terms. Some Urvan owners have profited from shuttling commuters in the Ayala Alabang (Muntinlupa City) and Ayala (Makati City), each paying about P55 one way. And plying the route twice a day makes an entrepreneur able to raise the needed monthly installment in just two weeks.

Other Nissan Urvan owners discovered the school bus service business, which can conveniently also accommodate the transportation needs of the entrepreneur’s children. An Urvan shuttle can comfortably transport at least 18 adults and as many as 20 schoolchildren.

A Makati-Alabang school bus fee now ranges from P2,000 to P3,000 depending on the condition and model of the van.

The Nissan Urvan will likely fill the vacuum left by the FX shuttle whose franchise have undergone so many restrictions from the government. New versions of Asian Utility Vehicles have also undergone so many changes in its seating arrangements and rear door design making them less comfortable for passengers on the third row seats. The new vehicle taxation scheme also raised the prices of AUVs that many shuttle operators found them less practical if purchased under an installment scheme.

Ms. Lee also received many positive feedback on Nissan’s good air conditioning system that is perfect for transporting patients when used as an ambulance. Some local government units acquired an Urvan ambulance also because of the twin sliding doors and large size tail gate.

Under the "Ur Van, Ur Business" program, UMC will not only share ideas on how to transform your Urvan into a rolling money machine. UMC will also guide buyers to financial institutions for easy terms.