Mitsubishi marks 60 years of mobility for Filipinos
As someone who’s close to becoming a senior citizen in a few years, I can relate to a company that is turning 60 years old this year.
Even more, I can personally relate to the actual products of said company even from its beginning. (I was a Sheldon Cooper of cars even before I became a teenager.)
I’m talking about Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC), which last Friday marked its 60 years of operations in the Philippines at its headquarters in Santa Rosa, Laguna. And yes, I vividly remember their cars even from the early 70s all the way to the present (from the original CARCO, then PAMCOR and the current MMPC): Dodge Colt, the tiny Minica (the only kei-class car ever sold in the Philippines), Lancer L-type, Galant (when it came as a sedan, coupe, and station wagon), Celeste, Lambda, Lancer box-type, the original Mirage, the tiny L-100 (does anyone even remember this?), all the subsequent Lancers and Galants through the decades, the Pajero, the pioneering Space Wagon (that predated the popular 7-seat MPVs of today by three decades), the L300 (and the L-300 Exceed that followed it), the Space Gear, the Adventure, the L-200 pickup, the original US-made Montero Sport, the Grandia, the Fuzion, the Eclipse sports car, the Lancer Ralliart and Evo, all the way to the current Mirage, Montero Sport, Strada, Xpander, Xpander Cross, and Outlander PHEV.
Gracing the occasion were Honorable Arlene Arcillas, Santa Rosa City Mayor; Mary Jane Sanchez, PEZA Zone Manager; Edwin Gallor, President of Mitsubishi Suppliers Association; Takao Kato, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President and CEO, as well as other executives and officials, all to celebrate a special Mitsubishi Motors milestone— being part of the lives of Filipinos for the past 60 years.
For six decades, MMPC continued to grow its network and evolved as a brand in providing mobility for the Filipinos. Through the years, MMPC launched outstanding vehicles that appealed to the Filipinos.
During the ceremony, MMC President and CEO, Takao Kato expressed his gratitude to the Philippine government, the business partners (including more than 70 suppliers and 25 dealer groups), as well as the MMPC employees for all the support extended to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation. “I’m very happy to celebrate MMPC’s 60th anniversary as well as witness its strong performance, as MMPC has been one of the biggest automobile brands in the Philippines. I am also pleased and proud that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is the only car manufacturer which has never left the country since its founding, even during the economic crisis and contributed to the economic development of the country for over 60 years. Our commitment to the Philippines will remain unchanged for the future and we will continue to contribute to the country through local manufacturing and providing attractive models to our valued customers,” Kato said.
MMPC President and CEO, Takeshi Hara, in his speech, said, “We have successfully introduced and launched different vehicle model line-ups. With our attractive models, we are continuously satisfying our valued customers and living up to our slogan “Life Made Better for Filipinos.”
The brand is committed to serve the Filipinos, with its dedication to enrich customers’ lives by continuously refining technologies and introducing attractive models to the market. Making life better for the Filipinos has always been at the forefront of its goals.
Hara added, “Last July, we revealed the new name of its aftersales service arm – Mitsubishi Motors CARES. With Mitsubishi Motors CARES, it is our goal for to make our customers worry-free and confident that they are leaving their vehicles in the best hands whenever they enter our service workshops.”
Mitsubishi has an undeniable presence in the country with its ever-growing dealer network. Continuously expanding and making a mark in different places in the country, with 69 dealerships across the Philippine Islands, the brand makes sure that there is a Mitsubishi dealership near you, supporting its goal of bringing a Mitsubishi vehicle closer to every Filipino.
Both chief executives are willing to further commit to the market and are optimistic of the future milestones that the brand can attain. Kato said “The Philippine has been and will be one of the most important markets for Mitsubishi Motors. Through our manufacturing and sales operations, we will continue to contribute to transfer of technology, human resources development, and creation of jobs in the country.”
“We have successfully surpassed all the challenges over a period of time, and we will remain steadfast and strong. We will continue to work as a team to further achieve our goals,” Hara added.
The commitment to make life better for all the Filipinos will always be at the forefront of the brand’s goals—then, now, and for 60 more years and beyond.