Philippine Automotive History Book Project

[jpdm]

another history in the making--

buti naman nahimasmasan ng konti ang #*!*! na DTI natin! deferred muna ang implementation ng EO removing tariff sa CBU..talaga yatang pinapatay na ng gobyerno lahat ng industriya sa bansa....

DTI holds off publication of EO removing tariff on CBU automobiles
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
Monday, July 30, 2007 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has decided to hold off the publication of a signed Executive Order (EO) removing the tariff on completely build up (CBU) motor vehicle at the behest of local car manufacturers.
“I have requested to hold the publication of the executive order until we have clarified the matter,” Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila told reporters.
An EO takes effect after it has been published in a newspaper of general circulation.
In an interview over the weekend, Favila said his office decided to grant the request of the association of local car manufacturers to defer the publication of EO 617.
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) wrote a letter to Favila questioning the removal of tariffs on CBUs.
CAMPI is urgently requesting that the publication of EO 167 be held in abeyance pending a full review of the said chapter in order to determine the necessary corrective measure to address the industry concern,” the July 10 letter stated.
Despite the order, Trade Undersecretary Elmer C. Hernandez clarified that there is nothing wrong with the EO.
Hernandez underscored that there is only a need to issue clarification. “There has to be a footnote to indicate that the EO does not include those that are prohibited under the law such as the importation of used motor vehicles.”
Under an earlier order, EO 156, motor vehicles were listed as a prohibited item given that the motor vehicle industry is a significant contributor to the country’s economic output, employment, investments and exports.
“We will defer the publication until proper amendments are put in place,” he stressed.
An industry player who spoke under the condition of anonymity said the reduction of tariff for used CBU is against the law and should not be allowed.
With regards to the importation of parts and components, the source said that when the agreement was originally signed in 2004, local car manufacturers were not producing the questioned items.
“Now that we are producing it, the best thing to do is to go back to another public consultation,” the source said.

DTI what are you doing?instead of protecting huge investments from local/foreign companies, you are destroying them? Are you out of your mind??!!!!First the cement industry, glass, plastic--now, auto industry...wala na ba kayong magawa??? paano gaganahan ang local/foreign investors dito????!!!!!You invite them to come here, tapos ipapain nyo lang sa pating?!!!!GRABE na Talaga!!!

[jpdm]

Sana buhay pa yung mga owner-founder ng Castro Motors, Panther Motors, Atendido Motors at Carter Motors..........of course kasama ang Franscisco Motors at Sarao Motors dyan...........

I salute these guys because they have proven that the Pinoy can compete despite all odds.....

Nodalo's, Republic Glass, Aguila glass, Roberts radiator for doing something for the local auto parts...................


Sana Tsikot will come up with an token award to courageous Pinoy entrepeneurs who are fighting to establish a foothold on a foreign dominated local auto industry....mahirap lang...kasi ang kalaban ay ang CAMPI, mga auto multinationals and our very own government who always side with the foreigners...........

Pero kung nakaya ng Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, China at India....kaya din natin.....

[webmiester]

Here is the History of Francisco Motors Corp. (FMC):


In 1947 Anastacio Francisco estabilished a small painting shop in Zapote, Las Pinas with a starting capital of Php 200.00 that specialized in painting jeepneys, cars and trucks. Four years later, the small painting shop became the Francisco Body Builder (FBB) which engaged in the building of jeepney bodies. It became known as reputable body builder with clients coming to the shop for the unique body designs from surplus jeepneys left after the war. By 1955 FBB ventured into assembling a complete line of jeepneys using reconditioned engines from Japan. Also in the same year, the Luneta Motor Company became the company’s first distributor of FBB bodies. This marketing relationship continued to blossom and Luneta Motor Company – which was the franchised distributor of English Ford cars and Thames trucks – partnered with FBB to assemble Ford Consul and Thames light trucks.
The company was incorporated in 1960 and was to be known by its present name: Francisco Motor Corporation. As is its name continued to firmly established in the local automotive industry, FMC was appointed by Isuzu Motors Co., Ltd. of Japan as the franchised assembler and distributor of the Isuzu Bellett Cars in the Philippines. By 1968, FMC assembled Isuzu Elf trucks and continued its partnership with Isuzu until 1974. With its partnership with Isuzu, FMC introduced Isuzu diesel engines for the locally distributed jeepneys. FMC continued to dominate the jeepney market with its partnership with Isuzu of Japan.
Due to changes in the local market, FMC next partnered with Mazda for a new line of lights trucks for the commercial use. This proved to be successful and FMC broadened its partnership with Mazda for other commercial vehicles as well as the provision of engines for its locally produced jeepneys and minibuses. The continued partnership with Mazda allowed FMC to actively participate and pioneer the development of the Asian Utility Vehicle under the government’s Progressive Truck Manufacturing Program. This resulted in the introduction of the Pinoy I, a Mazda 1200 cc powered vehicle. Further inprovements on the Pinoy and a new version was introduced in 1979 as the Pinoy II. At the same time, jeepney production reached 14,900 units. For the same period, FMC annual production reached 5,000 units per year and employed 2,000 employees in two manufacturing plants.
As the company moved into the turbulent 80s, FMC joined the Commercial Vehicle Development Program, which replaced the Marcos-era PTMP under the Board of Investments. Under the program FMC to developed the ANFRA – a third generation Asian Utility Vehicle that was mainly used for commercial use. By the 1990s. FMC emerged as one of the largest and only locally owned manufacturer and assembler of vehicles in the Philippines, with over 60,000 units sold. It further expanded into the assembly and distribution of small engine displacement cars under license from Fiat of Italy. As the contract with Fiat expired, FMC tied up with Hyundai of Korea to assemble and distribute Hyundai-brand cars and vans.
As the 1990s closed, FMC had been a strong player in the local automotive market, however, due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the company had experienced ao series of setbacks that affected the financial viability of the company after more than 50 years of continued operations and growth. By 2002 the company had filed for rehabilitation due to losses incurred in its operations. The economy was devastated by the financial crisis and FMC was not spared.

It is alleged that what killed FMC was the stoppage of the shipment of parts for Mazda vehicles despite an existing contract. Some people believed that this was to preempt the assembly of Mazda vehicles in the newly established Ford plants.

Don't forget to mention the Pope Mobile which FMC made in 1995. it's actually a modification of their Atador line of armored vehicles also based on their first generation Anfra AUVs.

the Popemobile is displayed in one of the churches in Las Pinas, but they took out the bulletproof glass and replaced it with plexiglass instead.

[webmiester]

DTI what are you doing?instead of protecting huge investments from local/foreign companies, you are destroying them? Are you out of your mind??!!!!First the cement industry, glass, plastic--now, auto industry...wala na ba kayong magawa??? paano gaganahan ang local/foreign investors dito????!!!!!You invite them to come here, tapos ipapain nyo lang sa pating?!!!!GRABE na Talaga!!!

Oo nga, actually that's why Atendido left the local manufacturing scene. They wanted to produce a SUV with a brand new engine para maganda. They sourced brand new engines from Korea. To make their price competitive, they asked for a tax exemption from the government which the government did not give them

Then when Toyota started producing the Tamaraw FX, they requested for tax exemptions for their engine and other components - The government agreed...

The government seems to favor the foreigners so much. Kaya umalis na lang ang Atendido. They had the best locally-made Chasis pa naman in my opinion.

[jpdm]

Oo nga, actually that's why Atendido left the local manufacturing scene. They wanted to produce a SUV with a brand new engine para maganda. They sourced brand new engines from Korea. To make their price competitive, they asked for a tax exemption from the government which the government did not give them

Then when Toyota started producing the Tamaraw FX, they requested for tax exemptions for their engine and other components - The government agreed...

The government seems to favor the foreigners so much. Kaya umalis na lang ang Atendido. They had the best locally-made Chasis pa naman in my opinion.

Hay, ang gobyernong Pinoy talaga, para sa dayuhan...

[romski123]

I think FMC now has a tie-up with Chery Motors of China. They are eyeing the old assembly plant of FMC in Las Pinas to produce their cars locally.

[ocanursjr]

I think FMC now has a tie-up with Chery Motors of China. They are eyeing the old assembly plant of FMC in Las Pinas to produce their cars locally.

Another sad chapter for Philippine Car Industry

[webmiester]

I think FMC now has a tie-up with Chery Motors of China. They are eyeing the old assembly plant of FMC in Las Pinas to produce their cars locally.

Well, Chery cars is better than nothing. Sayang walang nangyari duon sa tie-up ng FMC with Fiat-Iveco. It would have been really cool to see the Fiat-Iveco vans being assembled here Ang ganda gawing Ambulance and delivery vans yung ganun

Also, our jeepneys would have european engines na

[romski123]

Actually FMC did produce some FIAT Uno cars in the ealry 90's. This was under the peoples car program of the government. Along with Kia Pride and Daihatsu Charade. Sadly it did not really fly. The Philippines did not need a small compact vehicle, what it was in need of was a vehicle they can use for personal, family and utility. This was the AUV. The AUV enjoyed brisk sales since the introduction of the Tamaraw FX, Mitsubishi Advendure, Isuzu Crosswind up to the Revo's and Innova's. But alas, the Government got greedy, and started charging excise taxes to the AUV's. Sales dropped 40%. And now here we are. Struggling with the local auto industry, competing with smuggled vehicles. And now we are even in danger of losing all locally made vehicles and just importing everything in CBU form. Something has got to be done.

[webmiester]

You guys might like to take a look at the fiberglass modifications of old taxis...

Before the newer corollas and around the time kia prides starting rolling out taxi fleets, taxi fleet owners began modifying there Isuzu Geminis by putting new more aerodynamic fiberglass bodies and installing more modern lights

I was hoping that the move could give birth to a new industry, but it apparently died. But I think they are worth putting in a historybook.