RP vehicle makers launch prototype with all-new parts
By Ronnel Domingo
Inquirer
Last updated 07:49am (Mla time) 06/13/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- A group of automotive parts makers is targeting fleet buyers in a bid to push its “national vehicle” project forward to commercial production following the launch of a prototype yesterday.
Eddie S. Jose, president of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP), said his group would approach companies and even subdivisions in the first marketing salvo for what they dubbed the Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV).


“The PhUV needs positive feedback from (all fronts) to get it moving,” Jose said. “We need support from the government, financing institutions, assemblers and, of course, the buying public.”


Although the government had expressed support for the PhUV, Jose said the MVPMAP was talking with agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry, to muster the particular help the group needs.


“With increasing globalization and economic integration, especially in the region, incentives as packaged through the Investment Priorities Plan are no longer enough,” he said.


But he added that aside from government support for parts makers, assemblers and buyers, there was a host of other factors needed to bring the PhUV through.


“For one, low-cost retail financing must be available,” Jose said. “We are in talks with the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Landbank of the Philippines and their initial responses were positive.”
Jose said support from commercial banks were also needed to help entice institutional buyers as well as individuals to try the PhUV.


Price range
“We need to and we aim at maintaining a price range of P350,000 to P450,000 per unit,” Jose said. “We also target a modest sales volume of 30,000 units.”


He explained that both factors -- the price range and the volume -- were intended to counter the influx of used imported vehicles through the Subic Bay Freeport.


“That is how much a used import costs and our target sales volume is half the demand that these represent,” Jose said.


Also, he said the government could help promote the PhUV if a Supreme Court ruling that bans used imports coming in through Subic was strictly enforced.


“In turn, PhUV sales could help the local automotive industry reach its target of breaking the 100,000-unit mark, which is seen as the threshold that indicates sustained growth,” he added.


Jose also said the PhUV needed more support from local assemblers, especially those participating in the motor vehicle development program although two have enlisted in the effort, truck manufacturer Dreamco Automobile Co. and Francisco Motor Corp.


All-purpose 12-seater

Launched yesterday was a red 12-seat unit that looked like a cross between the Ford Fiera/Toyota Tamaraw type and the modern all-purpose vehicle/mini-van.


Dreamco president William Lee, whose firm supplied the drive train and other parts for the PhUV, said the vehicle was different from other locally designed and assembled vehicles in that the parts used were all brand-new and not “surplus” or second-hand.


Equipped with a 2.1-liter engine, 5-speed manual transmission and 15-inch wheels, the prototype is made up of 60 to 75 percent local content, according to Jose.


All nonlocal parts are sourced from China, including the engine which is original equipment manufacture and not refurbished, like those jeepney alternatives made in Cavite, Nueva Ecija and other parts of the country, he said.
kaya pala ganun yung shape. It is meant to look like an AUV and a mini-van.