A major shift toward modern and sustainable transport is set to begin in Davao City as Vietnamese corporations Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) and VinFast prepare to launch their e-taxi fleet on November 28, according to the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC).
Christian Cambaya, head of DCIPC’s Investor Assistance Servicing Unit, said on Friday that representatives from the two companies visited Davao last week to finalize coordination for the rollout.
Cambaya confirmed that GSM and VinFast, which are already operating e-taxis in Metro Manila and Cebu, are rapidly expanding their presence across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and now the Philippines.
Cambaya announced that their initial investment for the Philippines, including Davao City, is pegged at $500 million, with a full commitment of up to $1 billion as operations scale up.
Cambaya said the firms are currently completing business permit requirements with the city and once cleared, e-taxis are expected to start operating in Davao City anytime soon.
He added that the companies project 20,000 to 70,000 jobs nationwide once the e-taxi operations reach full capacity.
Cambaya stressed that Davao City is poised to be one of their major hubs.
“Currently there are 500 e-taxis already in Sasa Port, and they have identified areas in Sasa to set up their depots,” Cambaya said during the Business Forum.
Cambaya also said that their existing leased property, which is around two hectares, has become too small for the growing fleet, prompting them to scout for additional sites.
Cambaya said the companies are also exploring strategic locations across Davao City for fast-charging stations, which will be essential for the 24/7 operation of the electric fleet.
Green and Smart Mobility is likewise looking for distributors for their e-taxis, local partners who may operate the vehicles as franchisees, and additional depot and charging station sites.
Cambaya noted that he has yet to receive final figures on how many taxis will be operated directly by the companies and how many will be handled by their local partners.
