Toyota Holds 5th Media Road Trek

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) held its fifth Media Roadtrek last May 21-23, 2009 throughout western Negros Island. Through visiting various locations around the country and getting closer nature’s wonders, the annual event aims to promote environmental awareness, local tourism, and sustainable mobility. Since its first run in 2005, the Roadtrek has seen various regions across the country including Panay Island, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dumaguete, Rizal, and Palawan.

The Toyota Roadtrek’s fifth run this year included 24 media participants who experienced a comprehensive test drive of the locally-produced and Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Innova and Vios. Read more

Toyota Philippines to Raise Price of Innova on Higher Costs

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the country’s largest automobile distributor, said the price of Innova may go up as a result of higher operational cost because the income tax holiday (ITH) being given by the government expired last March.

In an interview, TMP vice president Rommel Gutierrez said they have already asked the Board of Investments (BOI) for an extension of their four-year ITH to six years.

Gutierrez said that initially, BOI classified Innova as a non pioneer project. But given that it is an Asian vehicle, Gutierrez said that it can be re-classified as a pioneering project. Under the law, pioneer projects are given six years ITH, he said. Read more

Toyota Philippines Launches Previa 2009

Competition just got more exciting in the executive minivan segment, with Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. launching the 2009 Previa. In enhancing comfort and styling features, Toyota said it was positioning the Previa as its bet in the executive minivan segment, further strengthening its commercial vehicle leadership.

The new 2009 Previa is equipped with the 4-cylinder, in-line DOHC, 16V engine. The integrated VVT-i technology is designed to make the vehicle’s performance to be powerful yet fuel-efficient. The Previa generates a maximum output of 170 Hp/6,000rpm and a maximum pulling power equivalent to 224 Nm/ 4,000rpm.

The model’s exterior is refreshed with a more modern approach. The 2009 version sports an upgraded chrome radiator grille, a trendier color keyed front bumper, a redesigned rear garnish and rear combi lamp with light-emitting diodes. Remodeled alloy wheels and 17” tires support the structure of the vehicle, giving a more stable and comfortable ride. Previa’s advanced HID headlights, similar to the Camry, features the adaptive Front-Lighting System. The AFS boosts night-driving visibility with low-beam headlights that automatically align with the car’s steering. The driver and front passenger seats improve safety with the integration of an active Whiplash Injury Lessening System into the headrests. Read more

Toyota Plans to Cut Local Transmission Plant Output on Weak Demand

Toyota Auto Parts Philippines Inc. (TAP), a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), is planning to reduce the output in transmission plant due to the slowdown in the global demand for automobiles.

In an interview, Toyota vice chairman Alfred Ty said they might decrease the production of transmission due to a drop in demand in key export markets.

Last year TAP has invested P5.4 billion to double the production capacity of its transmission plant in Laguna. Read more

Toyota Philippines to Market Prius This Year

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) said there would be no additional expansions this year instead the country’s biggest car company will be launching its eco-friendly Prius model, work on some initiatives to stop other car companies from further eating into its market share and new financing schemes for its volume models.

Saying they are technically ready, TMPC president Hiroshi Ito said they are launching Prius in the local market by middle of this year. Read more

Toyota Philippines May Cut Benefits of Executives

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the country’s largest automobile distributor, announced they are studying the possibility of cutting the benefits of local executives and freeze wages amidst the slowdown in vehicle demand.

“We are still in the process of evaluation. Right now we have no concrete plans yet,” TMP vice president Rommel T. Gutierrez told The STAR in a telephone interview yesterday.

Last week, Toyota in North America revealed pay cuts for factory executives and eliminated bonuses for all salaried production unit staff as US sales dropped 32 percent in January. Read more

Toyota Launches Dual VVT-I 2.0L Corolla Altis

Toyota Motor Philippines announces the introduction of the 2.0-liter Corolla Altis. The newest addition to the Altis line-up is the top-of-the-line variant equipped with superior technology comparable to Toyota’s high-end models. This includes a dual VVT-i engine, paddle shift, smart entry with push-start system and an array of comfort and safety features that puts it a notch above its class. The 2.0L Altis is offered at Php 1,100,000 and is available at all authorized Toyota dealers nationwide in February 2009.

The launch of the 2.0L Altis follows the successful introduction of the 10th Generation Corolla with 1.8-liter and 1.6-liter variants in January 2008, where it sold a total of 4,610 units on its first year. As the 2.0-liter variant revitalizes the entire line-up, it is expected to further boost Corolla sales and Toyota’s overall passenger car performance. Read more

Top Philippines Automotive Players Start to Feel Pinch

Big players in the local automotive industry have been hit by the global slowdown in consumer demand as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) reduced their production of Innova and Vios by 10 percent, Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. implemented a four-day work week and retrenched 16 percent of its workers while Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Philippines instituted a rightsizing program.

In an interview, Angel Dimalanta, president of the Automotive Industrial Workers Alliance (AIWA), said Toyota has removed one shift every week. Instead of producing Vios and Innova on their Laguna plant, Dimalanta said the plant workers were asked to do maintenance work.

Dimalanta said the Toyota Plant in Sta. Rosa operates five days a week. Each day is divided into two eight hour shifts. He said one of the Monday shift has been cancelled since mid January.

According to Dimalanta, a total of 40 units are being produced each shift or 20 units of Innova and 20 units of Vios. Read more

Toyota Philippines Seen Adjusting Auto Prices Due to Weak Demand

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. may make some adjustments in their vehicle prices this year given the continuing slowdown in consumer demand, a company executive said.

In a telephone interview, Toyota Philippines vice president for corporate affairs Rommel T. Gutierrez said they are optimistic sales would stll grow but could not give a definite target for this year as the market remains uncertain due to the contraction in global consumer demand.

“We can’t really say how much we will grow. Right now what we can promise is that we will zero in on our after-sales service in order to cater to our customers better,” Gutierrez said.

However, he stressed there are no concrete plans yet and that targets are yet to be set. Read more

Toyota Philippines Posts Record Sales of 45,915 Units in 2008

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP), the country’s largest car manufacturer, announced yesterday that it recorded an all-time high sales of 45,915 units in 2008 despite the general slowdown in global consumer demand.

“Aside from recording an all-time high sales of 45,915 units since the start of our operations, we have also captured our 7th consecutive triple crown, number one in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and overall sales,” Raymond Rodriguez, TMP’s First Vice President for Vehicle Sales said in a statement.

“We have also experienced an upward trend market share towards the last two months of 2008. Our November and December shares posted highest for the year at 42.2 percent and 39.6 percent respectively due to the strong sales of our Vios, Innova, Fortuner, Avanza, Hilux and Camry models, which are all leaders in their respective segments,” he added. Read more

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