MANILA – Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) on Tuesday expressed commitment to join the government’s vehicle electrification program through its PHP7-billion investment plan.
In a statement, the car manufacturer said: “it remains committed to its plan for local hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) production and is preparing to formalize its participation in the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) program.”
“The company continues to coordinate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders as it awaits the release of the EVIS implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which will establish the framework for formal applications. Its planned EVIS participation forms part of MMPC’s broader PHP7-billion investment plans to strengthen its Philippine operations and manufacturing capabilities,” it said.
Citing MMPC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ritsu Imaeda, the statement said, “The company is carefully assessing the requirements for local HEV production to ensure it is prepared to meet the government’s requirements while delivering the product quality and customer service Mitsubishi Motors is known for.”
“Because the details of the EVIS have not been announced yet, we are carefully studying the investment requirements and the conditions needed to ensure the long-term viability of HEV production in the Philippines,” he said.
The statement noted that “MMPC’s preparations go beyond understanding government requirements, encompassing readiness of its manufacturing operations and support system to ensure a sustainable rollout of the HEV production.”
“This includes assessing the market, our manpower requirements, the availability of parts and suppliers, after-sales service capabilities, and the broader ecosystem needed to support local manufacturing. We need to understand the government’s expectations under the IRR and ensure that we are fully prepared to meet them. At the same time, we want to ensure that we are ready to deliver the quality products and reliable after-sales service that customers have come to expect and trust from Mitsubishi Motors,” Imaeda added.
Earlier, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said the IRR of the EVIS is aimed to be released in the last quarter of this year, boosting the program towards the shift to EVs. (Joan Santiago-Villanueva/PNA)
