Celebrating 15 years of responsible partnership: Isuzu Philippines Corp. throws 15th anniversary bash

MANILA, Philippines - The eve of July 30 was another one for the books as Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) held its big 15th anniversary bash at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Over 300 guests graced the event, including top executives from other car manufacturers, Isuzu dealers, suppliers, employees, customers, media and friends. The event highlighted IPC’s key values in their products and core practices, namely: dependability, reliability, durability, cost efficiency, responsibility and excellence.

IPC President Ryoji Yamazaki proudly opened the night’s inaugural anniversary ceremony saying, “Since the 1950s, Isuzu has been in Philippine roads already, from the light to heavy-duty trucks that have served thousands of local businesses, to the very popular Isuzu Gemini that is already an icon of the 80s and to the bestselling Isuzu Trooper.” He then went on explaining how the present structure of IPC was established back in 1995, and inaugurated in 1997, making 2012 its 15th anniversary.

Isuzu has in fact, been consistently number 1 in the light-duty truck segment since 1999—a straight 13 years—with an annual average market share of 60-70 percent.

“We are very proud that in our own small way, we have been contributing to the Philippines for the past 15 years through the local assembly of 90 percent of our products,” exclaimed Yamazaki, further attesting that they have been creating more jobs and continuously supporting their local parts manufacturers. “Because for Isuzu, the Philippines is not just another selling opportunity,” he asserted, “but rather, a growing economy that we would like to be part of.”

To date, the accumulated number of Isuzu vehicles produced in the Philippines has reached 150,000 units.

Senior Counselor and former Chairman of Isuzu Motors Limited, Mr. Yoshinori Ida, was also present at the event. “Looking back at the last 15 years, twice hit by economic crises such as the Asian financial crisis and the collapse of Lehman brothers...the Philippines managed to withstand from both adverse situations and seems to have a more stable economy nowadays,” he said. “IPC was slightly affected by the impact, and has likewise recovered and continued operating dynamically until this day,” he added.

Also present to show his full support was Senior Vice President of the Isuzu Business Division of Mitsubishi Corporation, Morikazu Chokki. “We are very proud that in the Philippines, the brand of Isuzu is almost synonymous with the words “durable” and “fuel-efficient,” he said during his speech. “And that it serves as a good representative for the diesel engine and as a commercial vehicle manufacturer,” he pointed out.

Afterwards, a run-through of IPC’s production milestones was presented by IPC’s Vice President for Manufacturing, Koichi Tamura. An allegorical ceremony soon followed, where IPC executives and shareholders symbolically inserted crystals into a mother block to celebrate the company’s 15 fruitful years in the country.

“We wish to assure our customers in the Philippines as well as our business partners that we, Isuzu Motors Ltd., have the intention to continuously expand the business here. The Philippine government is aware of the situation of the automotive industry and I believe that IPC, together with the other local assemblers, are working closely with the government in coming up with favorable programs as special consideration to maintain global competitiveness,” shared former chairman Ida.

The inaugural anniversary ceremony thus ended with a toast, with Yamazaki, Ida and Chokki on stage, together with IPC Executive Vice President Takashi Tomita, COO of Ayala Corporation Fernando Zobel de Ayala, and Chairperson of the Yuchengco group of companies Ms. Helen Dee.

Yamazaki further remarked, “We are still confident that with the support of the government, close cooperation with the automotive manufacturing organization and a strong relationship with our local suppliers, we can continue to build a competent environment that is sustainable and that can keep up with other ASEAN countries.”

The rest of the night was dedicated to partying with fine food, good music and delightful company.

IPC has earned many accolades, awards, and global citations for its efforts and initiatives that significantly impact management processes, the environment, and even local communities.