[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Malaya Newspaper[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]July 6,2009[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Business News[/SIZE][/SIZE]


[SIZE=3]BOI To Give Perks[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]To E-Vehicle Assembly
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]The Board of Investments (BOI) will grant incentives to the assembly of the first-locally produced electric vehicles being led by a consortium of automotive parts manufacturers, according to BOI managing head Elmer C. Hernandez.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Hernandez said the BOI supports this pioneering venture of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) and wants to ensure its long-term viability. However, Hernandez notes the need for the parts makers to expand their lineup and market not only for mass movement but for personal use as well.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]"We are the first in Asia to produce an electric vehicle and we should build on that advantage," he said.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]In their recent meeting, Hernandez told officials of the MVPMAP that their individual and collective investments in manufacturing, past and present would easily meet the minimum investment hurdle set by the BOI for companies seeking to become participants of the Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP).[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]To enjoy incentives under the Investment Priorities Plan, an assembler has to be a registered participant of the MVDP and has to comply with certain requirements.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]One of these requirements is to manufacture motor vehicle parts and components for both export and domestic markets, equivalent to $8 million for commercial vehicle.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]"They can qualify their previous investments, and they can pool the investments to meet that requirement," Hernandez said.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]He added that the electric vehicle has almost 100 percent local content. The group is producing 5 to 10 units per month, mainly electric jeepneys which they supply to local government units.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]"If they want to expand the market¸ they should not limit themselves to mass transport. We talked about the technical specs of the vehicle and it’s possible that they can develop one for personal use of private owners, as shuttle inside subdivisions or for short trips," Hernandez said.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Hernandez said the vehicle is priced competitively but did not specify. [/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Hernandez said with the surging prices of gasoline, the electric vehicle is a cheaper alternative even if it uses electric power.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]He said carbon emission is net of 50 percent as it is plugged into electricity.
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]MVPMAP formed the [SIZE=4]PhUV Inc. [/SIZE]as the proponent of the e-jeepney. It is composed of over 125 manufacturers of local automotive parts that supply the local parts requirements of the Philippine auto industry.
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]Some of the e-eepneys were dispersed to the cities of Makati, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod and Baguio. Another is now also serving the students of De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]The e-jeepney is the very first locally designed, fabricated and assembled electric vehicle to be actually put on the road. [/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]The e-jeepney can carry up to 14 passengers for a two-hour ride before it needs to recharge. Perfect for shuttle service, this 5kw jeepney has a manual stickshift with a 4-speed feature. (Irma Isip)[/SIZE][/SIZE]