Mitsubishi Motors Philippines breaks ground for Press Shop

Just days after getting an approval from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Board of Investments (DTI-BOI)’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) breaks ground on Friday, June 17, 2016 for its P2 billion stamping shop located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

 

DAWN OF A NEW DAY. Golden shovels into dirt mark the start of a new facility for MMPC.

 

On hand for the ground breaking ceremony were distinguished guests, including Makoto Iyori (Minister of Embassy of Japan in the Philippines), DTI Assistant Secretary and CARS Program Director for BOI Romulo Manlapig, and DTI Undersecretary and BOI Vice Chairman and Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo. They were joined by MMPC officers led by Yoshiaki Kato, President and CEO of MMPC.

 

THE BRASS. From left to right: Hirofumi Shibata (EVP/CFO & Treasurer of MMPC), Shigeru Ogura (MMPV EVP), Makoto Iyori, Hiroo Kurihara (MMC Senior Executive Officer), Yoshiaki Kato, Cerefino S. Rodolfo, Hiroto Murai (COO of Sojitz Corporation), Yasuhiro Maruyama (MMPC EVP), Romulo Manlapig, and Hidetoshi Anami (Deputy-in-charge for Building Construction and Engineering, International Operation Headquarters, Taisei Corp.)

 

The ground breaking ceremony kick-started MMPC’s participation in the CARS program, which includes putting up a facility to produce large body parts for a vehicle. For MMPC, this is their entry-level Mirage, which they officially launched last May 3.

 

 

 

Studies have shown that the high logistics cost in producing any model stems from importing large completely-knocked-down (CKD) parts. CKD parts can be produced within the country to significantly lower these costs.

With this in mind, MMPC embarked on a 4.3-billion-peso project to put up their own metal stamping facility, which can produce these parts for the Mirage. The remaining P2.3 billion will be used to get the manpower necessary to operate the facility as well as improve the existing facility they have at the Sta. Rosa plant.

 

CHANGE IS COMING. Yes, even MMPC President & CEO Yoshiaki Kato is not immune to the phrase.

 

In a press conference after the ceremony, Kato clarified that the introduction of a stamping facility is intended to improve the process of mass producing the Mirage rather than decreasing its cost, though it may go down in the years to follow. The project will also create more job opportunities for Filipinos in order to hit production targets specified in the CARS program.