Manila Bulletin

Cars, jobs, and a cleaner environmen­t

- CHRIS VAN HOVEN

In its over 30-year history, Toyota Motor Philippine­s (TMP) has grown to be the largest automotive manufactur­er and distributo­r in the country with a product line-up of 21 Toyota and 18 Lexus models. They also enjoy a total market share of 38.1 percent, with 71 dealer outlets nationwide to date. Employment in TMP’s value chain has reached over 55,000 employees, encompassi­ng white and blue collar jobs.

In a recent visit to Toyota Motor Philippine­s’ manufactur­ing plant in Sta. Rosa, TMP shared how the company’s P5.38 Billion in investment­s from the Comprehens­ive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) project enhanced not only the company’s local production capabiliti­es, but ultimately added value to revitalize vehicle and parts manufactur­ing in the country.

Smart manufactur­ing

Toyota Motor Philippine­s’ investment­s in the CARS program include the local parts production of the Toyota Vios at the Resin Injection Molding Facility for bumpers and instrument panels, Roller-Hemming Robots at the welding line, and the newly-inaugurate­d A0 Press Line for stamping of side member panels. Through these investment­s, TMP has integrated high-tech equipment in the Toyota Production System, using robots to automate repetitive tasks and making production processes more efficient as a result. To handle new production technologi­es, TMP has also invested heavily in manpower training for the acquisitio­n of new skills.

Aside from acquiring new production technologi­es, TMP continuous­ly supports its local suppliers in developing technical know-how, upgrading their manpower skills, and in addressing technical gaps through Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA) with Toyota’s network of suppliers in the Asia Pacific region. Among the CARS-enrolled suppliers having TAA include Valerie Products Manufactur­ing (with Ogihara Thailand Co. Ltd.) and Manly Plastics

 ??  ?? TMP executives with members of the media alongside the locally manufactur­ed Innova and Vios cars. A 1-MW solar array has been installed on the roofs of the Toyota Santa Rosa factory buildings.
TMP executives with members of the media alongside the locally manufactur­ed Innova and Vios cars. A 1-MW solar array has been installed on the roofs of the Toyota Santa Rosa factory buildings.

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