Japan’s Suzuki to make cars in PHL factory

Canlubang, Laguna — Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp., which inaugurated a P1-billion motorcycle plant in Canlubang, Laguna, on Thursday, said plans are afoot for the company to build cars in the Philippines.
 
The car factory will be constructed beside the motorcycle facility, Osama Suzuki, Suzuki Motor chairman and CEO told reporters during Thursday’s event in Canlubang.
 
Susuki did not reveal further details about the car manufacturing facility, other than saying it will provide job opportunities for people in the Calabarzon area.
 
The motorcycle facility in Carmelray Industrial Park is expected to churn out 200,000 units a year – more than twice the 96,000 output of Suzuki’s factory in Pasig City.
 
“This new milestone is keeping true to our company's promise to better the Filipino lives in every aspect, not only with quality vehicles at affordable prices but with provisions of an array of jobs for the people," said Satoshi Uchida, Suzuki Philippines president.
 
"With the growing motorcycle market in the Philippines and in the region, we thought it was logical to expand operations in the Philippines so we can better and faster serve our consumer needs," Suzuki said.
 
By 2015, the company expects to account for a 25-percent share of the Philippine market from its current slice of 14 percent, and the Canlubang facility would be the key to that target, noted Suzuki Philippines managing director Catalina Calderon.
 
"The Canlubang plant will also enhance local parts procurement and its larger production capacity will also make us ready for the growing motorcycle market as the plant is equipped with better machines and processes," said Suzuki. — VS, GMA News