500,000th Unit Milestone Achievement for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines
Commemorating the recommencement of MMPC’s passenger car production as well as the 500,000 unit milestone, MMC President Osamu Masuko was in the country last week to partake in the celebrations. Says Mr. Masuko, “Mitsubishi Motors Philippines has been resilient and has persisted with uninterrupted manufacturing and marketing activities through periods of difficulty including the economic crisis of the early 1980s. Through periods of recovery and growth, MMPC has expanded and has been aggressively pioneering advancements in the different manufacturing processes.”
However, MMPC’s achievement is not without serious challenges. MMPC can easily reach the 600,000 production mark in just five years, but government support through economic and political stability is vital. According to Mr. Masuko, the government must implement the proposed Motor Vehicle Development Plan or MVDP and put an end to the importation of used cars. He added that the more new cars are sold here, the more companies like Mitsubishi will consider assembling locally, resulting in more affordable cars. He also reiterated that the government must also provide incentives for both car manufacturers and car parts makers, specifically those engaged in local production and assembly; a timely statement given that the national elections next year can pave the way to change in both governance and policies.
Though the elections are still five months away, and no one knows what will happen by then; MMPC has given its solid backing of Philippine operations, giving some glimpse of what to expect in 2010 and beyond. Of course, the first is the locally assembled Lancer EX with its revised Evolution X-style nose and black-out tail lamps.
According to a product literature provided by MMPC, this will be followed by the all-wheel drive, turbocharged 240-horsepower Lancer EX Ralliart. MMPC President Masahiko Ueki also confirmed the arrival of the Outlander-based RVR crossover in late 2010. A diesel version of the Fuzion MPV and a new global small car is also being considered.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines’s positive attitude towards the Philippine automotive market as well as its new and improvement manufacturing facility will undoubtedly mean they can indeed reach their 600,000 production milestone in five years. Their commitment to provide the best in the car ownership experience has awarded them not only the J.D. Power Asia Pacific Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and Customer Service Index (CSI), but also a place in Philippine culture as well. After all, no other car manufacturer has its cars colorfully nicknamed like “itlog”, “pizza pie” and “pating” than Mitsubishi.
* By Ulysses Ang (The Philippine Star) Updated December 16, 2009
* Pictures from Mitsubishi Motors Events and News
