MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has finally moved to a 21-hectare facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna, which Ford Motor Co. shut down in 2012.
MMPC, which is one of the country’s leading carmakers with more than 50 years of automotive manufacturing experience in the country, inaugurated its new plant in Greenfield Automotive Park in Laguna with President Aquino as the guest of honor.
The acquisition and transfer to Santa Rosa, Laguna, is part of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s (MMC) “New Stage 2016” Mid-term plan of reinforcing business in the Philippines as a core market following Thailand and Indonesia. This is in preparation for MMC’s further business development in the Asean countries. MMC has recognized MMPC’s continuous strong performance and growth in the country in spite of the increasing market competition.
The acquisition and transfer to Santa Rosa plant is also MMPC’s preparation for further expansion triggered by the fast growing local automotive industry and increasing demand for brand-new vehicles brought about by the stable Philippine economy which translates to the increasing per-capita income of Filipinos and improving road infrastructures. With the new manufacturing plant MMPC can produce maximum of 50,000 units annually. For the Santa Rosa plant, MMPC will also be upgrading its equipment to further improve its assembly process and quality to keep it at par with other Mitsubishi Motors assembly plants. One of its assets is an automated plastic parts paint robot, which is the first of its kind in Philippine auto manufacturing.
This automated plastic parts painting will complement the top coat body spray robots for quicker and more consistent painting process.
In addition, a sophisticated body measuring machine that provides a high degree of consistency will soon be a part of the Santa Rosa plant facilities. MMPC will also now adopt the 3C 1B process (3 Coat 1 Baked) in its paint shop, which increases the efficiency and environmental friendliness of the vehicle-painting process.
“The inauguration of MMPC’s new plant reflects our commitment to continue vehicle-manufacturing operations in the Philippines, at the same time prepare for further business expansion with the projected rapid increase in vehicle demand in the coming years,” said Hikosaburo Shibata, MMPC president and CEO.
“With this new and bigger plant, we now have an opportunity to study production of new models. However, production of a new model should be supported by a sound auto-manufacturing policy from the government that is supposed to strengthen competitiveness of local vehicle and parts-manufacturing operations among other Asean production facilities.” As MMPC continues its upbeat performance, the transfer to Santa Rosa, Laguna, is expected to provide a sizable share in the local auto industry and the Philippine economy.
This expansion will generate additional job opportunities and improved revenue not only to the company but as well as to its business affiliates, such as dealers and suppliers.
To date, MMPC employs more than 900 workers. In 2014 MMPC sold a total of 50,085 vehicles, which is a historical sales record and, at the same time, reflects eight consecutive years of growth for the company, which is poised to keep its strong position in the industry with its extensive vehicle lineup and wide dealership network. MMPC intends to sell 62,000 units this year and will open up five new outlets in 2015.
Ronald Rey de los Reyes