Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is betting big on the continued growth of the local automotive industry as the company presented the first Mirage G4 manufactured at its 21-hectare assembly plant in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna to President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Mirage G4 is the first vehicle that is manufactured under the Philippine government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy or CARS Program. The CARS Program is a fiscal-capped, time-bound, and performance-based program provided by the government to help elevate the Philippine automotive industry. It is specifically implemented to transform the Philippines into an automotive manufacturing hub in the region. The government will give incentives to the manufacturers who commit to manufacture 200,000 vehicles of their chosen model in a span of 6 years.
Heading the presentation of the first Philippine-made Mirage G4 to President Duterte were Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Osamu Masuko, Sojitz Corporation Vice Chairman Mr. Shigeki Dantani, and MMPC President and CEO Mr. Yoshiaki Kato.
At the ceremony, Mr. Masako stated: “Under the strong leadership of his Excellency President Duterte, there is big potential of economic growth in the Philippines. It is my conviction that the automotive industry with its broad base, high quality labor force and strong support through the Philippine government’s development policy, will contribute to the economic prosperity of the Philippines. Our intension is to contribute to the prosperity of the Philippines.”
The ceremony, held at the Malacañan Palace was well attended by government officials, diplomats and executives as this marks a significant milestone not only to Mitsubishi Motors but to the local automotive industry and to the Philippine economy.
Witnessing this milestone were honorable Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Department of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Charito B. Plaza, CARS Program Director, Romulo Manlapig, Deputy Chief of Mission of Japan Embassy, Atsushi Ueno, MMPC’s executives and business partners.
The local production of the Mirage entailsadditional job opportunities to both MMPC and local parts suppliers. Some of the local parts suppliers will also take advantage of technology transfer from their foreign partners for the overall improvement in operations, efficiency, and quality.
With the start of the production of the Mirage G4 and the Mirage hatchback in May, MMPC aims to manufacture 20,000 units at the end of the year. The new stamping plant is also set to start operation in January 2018 which is expected to even increase further local content and boost production volume of MMPC by 50 percent.
With MMC’s sincere commitment and trust to the Philippine government and on the CARS program, MMC has already invested 4.3 billion pesos for the production facilities and equipment required for the localization of the Mirage models.
The Philippines is one of the most important markets for Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Given the state-of-the-art production facilities and processes, the additional investment and the Filipino workmanship, MMPC is highly confident that the Philippine made Mirage G4 is of the same global quality.
