DTI Lauds Toyota Philippines Action on Prius model

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) lauded Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) for implementing a recall on the Prius. Toyota implemented a recall on the hybrid car due to faulty brakes.

“We are pleased that TMP has taken the initiative of contacting their customers and perform the required repair at no cost to customers,” Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said.

DTI said that mistakes that occur in the manufacture of products pose danger to the health and safety of the consuming public. When similar incidents occur in different people when using a specific product, this could be an indication that there is a flaw in its production, and when this happens, a product recall may be necessary. Read more

Prius in RP: Going Green Comes with a Price

The Prius, the world’s best-selling hybrid car, finally goes on sale in the country today at major Toyota dealers nationwide.

The 1.8-liter third generation gasoline-electric hybrid can get up to 38 kilometers per liter and significantly cuts down on carbon emissions, meeting the strictest emission-reduction standards worldwide.

But going green in the Philippines doesn’t come cheap. The Prius has a price tag of P2.2 million, about half of it going to taxes – import duties, excise taxes, and value-added tax (VAT). This is more than double its price in Japan of $20,900.

“Toyota believes that a lot more customers would benefit if a special tax incentive will be given for the Prius to bring its cost down,” said Raymond Rodriguez, first vice president for vehicle sales operations of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. Read more

Toyota Philippines to Launch Prius at P2.25M

Toyota Motors Philippines is finally launching its hot-selling Prius hybrid in the Philippines next week, but the ecologically-correct car could carry a price tag of around P2.25 million.

“Toyota wants to be the first to locally introduce hybrid, environment-friendly cars as alternative vehicles,” said Raymond Rodriguez, Toyota Motor’s first vice president for vehicle sales.

The third-generation, 1.8-liter Prius would be imported completely built from Japan and subject to a 30-percent tariff in addition to the excise tax and 12-percent value-added tax, Rodriguez said in explaining the hybrid’s higher price.

By contrast, Toyota’s most expensive sedan available locally, the 3.5-liter V6 version, retails for P2.005 million. 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

Author of Hybrid Bill Congressman Singson Test Drives the Toyota Prius

With gas prices hitting the roof, threatening to hit P60 per liter, along with it the skyrocketing prices of basic goods, Congressman Ronald Singson, Ilocos Sur’s first district representative, formulates a bill aiming to lessen the sting of escalating gas prices.

House Bill No. 2084 seeks to grant tax incentives to importers and manufacturers of hybrid cars in the Philippines. These cars that operate on hybrid technology are propelled by both gasoline and electricity. Read more