Locally made vehicles and parts highlighted at PhilAPEX

Heavyweights of local auto manufacturing gathered at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City for the 2nd Philippine Auto Parts Expo (PhilAPEX).

The event served as a venue for auto parts manufacturers and related industries to highlight their manufacturing capabilities and potential to the local industry.

The expo was organized by the Philippine Parts Makers Association (PPMA) with the theme, "Gawang Pilipino, para sa Pilipino!” The event is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry - Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Automotive Body Manufacturers of the Philippines (ABMAP).

Present at the opening ceremonies and offering keynote speeches were PPMA president, Ferdi Raquelsantos, Hon. Arthur Tugade, DOTr Secretary, and Hon. Ramon Lopez, DTI Secretary. Also present was LTFRB Chairman, Martin Delgra III.

Besides the presence of Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program participants, Toyota Motor Philippines and Mitsubishi Motors Phils., Corp., PhilAPEX 2018 also welcomed Isuzu Philippines Corp.

Besides the exhibition of parts suppliers and CARS participants, this year's PhilAPEX also highlights the participants of the government's PUV modernization program, with examples from Isuzu, Hino, Santarosa, Centro, Almazora, Mitsubishi, Foton, PhUV, Tata, Suzuki, and E-volution.

A series of lectures were also be held on the PUV Modernization's franchising and route rationalization, financing the new PUVs, and supporting PUV manufacturing.