Mitsubishi can use CARS for PUV rehab plan: DTI

FILE: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (Photo: ALBERT ALCAIN/PPD)

SANTA ROSA, Laguna — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said that the Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) could  participate in the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program using its existing facilities under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program.

In his keynote speech during the inauguration of MMPC’s new stamping shop here Thursday, Lopez said the Japanese car company could participate in  “the planned PUV Modernization Program through its truck division Fuso.”

“Likewise, mindful of the synergies between CARS and the PUV program, particularly in the utilization of equipment and tooling already in place under CARS, Mitsubishi Philippines can use the excess capacity of your press plant to produce parts for the replacement of PUVs,” he said.

He noted that the DTI is now finalizing its support program to the PUV Modernization Program by reallocating the budget for the third player of CARS Program as incentives to local vehicle body makers for PUVs.

“We are aligning the third CARS slot to support the local manufacture of replacement vehicles for our PUV modernization program,” the DTI chief said.

He added that the CARS Program Management Office held consultations with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) platform manufacturers and their local body builders for the features and mechanisms of the support program.

“This will be shortly seeking the President’s approval for a separate executive order (EO) for its implementation,” Lopez said.

In a previous interview, the top trade official said that local body makers for PUVs should be given perks under the DTI’s support program for the PUV modernization, and not the car companies supplying engines for the modernization program participants.

“It’s already their business to sell their platform. They don’t need incentives for that since platform is generic.

They will not produce something new, so they don’t need the incentives,” said Lopez.