Mitsubishi opens new facility in Sta Rosa

STA. ROSA, LAGUNA, Philippines – Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) has opened its local unit’s new plant in Sta. Rosa in Laguna as it looks to further expand operations in the Philippines which is expected to post the fastest automotive market growth in the region.

While the firm plans to expand its operations, assembling a new vehicle model here would have to meet a 50,000-unit production volume and would depend on the release of the government’s automotive industry roadmap.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new facility yesterday, Osamu Masuko, chairman and chief executive officer of MMC said the decision to move to a bigger plant in Laguna is in line with the plan to grow the firm’s business in the country and in Southeast Asia.

“The Philippine market is expected to show the most growth among all the countries in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, which is the most important market for our company. Therefore, it is positioned as one of the pillars of our Asean business,” he said.

The 21-hectare plant, which has a capacity of 50,000 units per year and expandable to 100,000 units, was acquired by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) last year from Ford Motor Co.

Prior to the acquisition, MMPC assembled vehicles at its 18-hectare plant located in Cainta, Rizal.

Hikosaburo Shibata (right, front seat), president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., Osamu Masuko, chairman and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Japan; Yoji Sato, president of Sojitz Corp. Japan (back seat) enjoy the ride in a golf car on their way to welcome President Aquino who graced the event. MIKE AMOROSO

With the opening of a new and bigger plant, MMPC has the opportunity to study additional vehicle models to be manufactured here in addition to the L300 and Adventure.

For MMPC to invest in the assembly of an additional vehicle model here, Masuko said there has to be strong market demand for the model which would mean production of about 50,000 units per year.

“We need one model with big number. If we can produce 50,000 units for one model, we can invest big amount of money,” he said.

MMPC president and chief executive officer Hikosaburo Shibata said in the same event the company needs to wait for the automotive industry roadmap before making a decision to produce a new model and pour in funds here.

“Production of a new model should be supported by a sound auto manufacturing policy from the government that is supposed to strengthen competitiveness of local vehicle and parts manufacturing operations among other Asean production facilities,” he said.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa said in the same event that as competition on the automotive market is on the rise in the Asean, the Japanese government is hopeful the Philippine automotive industry roadmap would be rolled out immediately.