the summer move is Back to plaza

Plaza brings back

“The Summer Move”

A group of community entrepreneurs are showcasing their products and services

Juan A. Hernández and Enrique Muchacho, The Weekly Journal

Following on its commitment to highlight the achievements and initiatives of individuals and organizations, Plaza Las Américas launched the 19th edition of its “Summer Move” (“La Movida del Verano”) event, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

“With this event, Plaza Las Américas seeks to showcase the organizations and people who improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico through their actions,” said event producer Myrna Escabí.

This year’s event is dedicated to former governor Sila María Calderón’s foundation and its operational arm, the ‘Centro para Puerto Rico,’ for its continuing efforts supporting and empowering microentrepreneurs throughout the island, so they can successfully become part of the economy.

A select group of these community entrepreneurs are exhibiting their products and services at the Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples (CSM) pavilion at Plaza Las Américas’ main atrium. CSM is the main sponsor of the event.

Also, on the central atrium, there are the “flag bearers” of summer: a group of iconic vehicles that are inevitably associated with summer. These are a collection of Volkswagen Beetles from the 1960s, including the celebrity car of the hour, CSM’s Blue Beetle.

To highlight the importance of the automobile as a “fundamental member of the family,” in terms of how it makes life easier and more enjoyable for the family, particularly during the summer, “The Summer Move” event includes what organizers dubbed as the 2022 Limited Edition of Summer Vehicles. This is a veritable collection of SUVs, family vehicles and sports cars, curated not only for their functionality but also for their safety features, and fuel efficiency, which make them “perfect” for the summer vacation.

Among the brands showcasing their summer models are Toyota, Lexus, Volvo, Lincoln and Volkswagen, along with a sample of Bella Riders World’s most eye-catching motorcycles, for the more adventurous summer revelers.

Representatives from each of these auto companies are on site to provide details about the new car models and what plans they have in store for the coming years.

Toyota Senior Manager of Vehicle Operations, Victor Aponte, mentioned two new digital platforms that Toyota is offering to its consumers. The first one is a virtual showroom platform, which offers the consumer an online 360 view of their 16 Toyota’s models, as well as information on each vehicle. The second app is “a playroom,” in which children (and adults) will be able to personalize the Toyota of their choice and create a virtual car.

Christian Alvarado, from Volvo, anticipated that the Swedish car automaker will be introducing this year a plug-in model, the Volvo C-40, which is 100% electric.

“Volvo has always been a brand well known for its safety, now we are including the topic of protecting the environment and that is why we are committed to electrification,” Alvarado said.

“We are focusing on the safety features of our models, so our emphasis is not on how fast you will be able to get from A to B, but how safe,” Alvarado said.

The event showcases the organizations and people who improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico through their actions.

Myrna Escabí Producer