Toyota emphasizes importance of PHL govt support to company goals

To achieve its production goals of 50,000 cars a year to 100,000 units by 2018, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. on Thursday said government support to enhance its plant-to-market initiative is vital.   "I believe it can be done, given the appropriate government support and the excellent human resources in the Philippines, TMPC president Michinobu Sugata told reporters at the sidelines of the ceremonies marking Toyota’s 500,000^th car milestone in Santa Rosa, Laguna.    By doing so, we are confident Toyota can contribute to the further development of the economy," Sugata added.   "Our 500,000th unit represents our commitment to this country... We are fortunate that the government has always been a steady partner in upholding the development of the automotive industry," he said.   Yearly, TMPC assembles 29,000 units of Vios and Innova from completely knocked-down parts, and sells around 60,000 units including imported cars.   The company appreciates Philippine government’s proactive approach of including motor vehicles in its Investment Priorities Plan, said Takahiro Iwase, chief regional officer of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, in a message he read before government officials, Toyota executives and employees, their guests and media representatives.   The company fully supports the Aquino administration’s initiative to develop an auto industry plan, according to Toyota’s regional chief.   He noticed an improvement in Philippine roads and highways, saying such developments increase the level of confidence among investors, especially Toyota, and augurs a bright future for the automotive industry in the face of stiff competition within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.   "Supportive government policies, skilled manpower and supporting infrastructure can help establish the Philippines as a major source of vehicle and component manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region," Iwase noted.   Such developments imply that the industry goal of churning out 300,000 units by 2015 is achievable, he said.   TMPC's 500,000^th car milestone covers completely knocked down and semi knocked-down units since 1989, when the company started producing cars in the Philippines, until March 8, 2012.   Before the advent of Vios and Innova models, Toyota Motor Philippines produced the Corolla, Corona, Crown, Camry, Lite-Ace, and Tamaraw FX and Revo.   Vios and Innova were the company's best sellers in 2011. TMPC sold 14,979 Vios and 11,805 Innova units last year, company records showed. — VS, GMA News