Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has long been doing business in the local auto industry. The Japanese carmaker has been giving the Filipino motorist quality vehicles like the Galant, Lancer, L300, Adventure, Pajero, and Montero Sport for around five decades now. And it seems Mitsubishi isn’t about to back down any time soon.
This is the signal it is sending as it recently awarded Certificates of Participation to twenty-five (25) local automotive parts suppliers who will help it when it undertakes local assembly of its Mirage and Mirage G4 subcompact hatchback and sedan models. And this, MMPC says, is only the first batch as there will be more players who will come on board in the coming months. The move is part of its commitment to take part in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, which aims to further strengthen the Philippine auto industry.
The awarding ceremony was attended by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) General Manager for Philippine Business Office. Mr. Ken Kataoka, MMC Manager for Global Procurement Department, Mr Toshihiro Ito, Mr. Junya Masuda, Sojitz Corp’s Assistant General Manager, and Mr. Yoshiaki Kato, MMPC President and CEO. Also present were Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Henry Co, Governor of the Board of Investments, Assistant Secretary and BOI CARS Program Director Romulo Manlapig, and Mr. Junichiro Suzuki, Japanese Embassy Trade and Commercial Attache.
The awarding of certificates is yet another step towards fulfilling Mitsubishi’s commitment to join the CARS Program, which it symbolically signified last June. This was followed by a signing of a Letter of Intent between Mitsubishi and the Philippine government, held last October.
As things progress, MMPC will begin putting together the Mirage and Mirage G4 at its Sta Rosa, Laguna plant beginning in January of 2017. This has already generated an additional 500 new jobs to help with the assembly, particularly for the second shift that will be implemented once assembly gets underway. The CARS program is meant not only to provide more jobs by Mitsubishi but also through its local parts suppliers, who will likewise generate employment and help boost the economy.
Photos: Paolo Lesaca
