Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) launched the Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Inc. (TMSPH), the first of its kind among Toyota affiliates in the Southeast Asian region.
TMSPH is a wholly owned subsidiary that will be a provider of mobility-related services.
TMP said in a statement on Friday that the newly launched subsidiary will enhance the automotive firm “as a brand that creates value for society through a service business model”.
According to TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto, this new venture will “better shape the industry’s role in building our modern societies and enriching human lives.”
“We will accelerate the fulfillment of Toyota’s global mission to ‘Produce Happiness for All’ and vision to create ‘Mobility for All’”, he added.
For her part, TMSPH president Ma. Cristina Fe Arevalo defined TMP’s concept of ‘new mobility’ as a suite of technology and data-driven lifestyle and business solutions that can address day-to-day challenges of moving people and goods from one point to another.
“We envision TMSPH to be at the center of the ‘new mobility’ ecosystem as an integrated, ‘one-stop’ mobility solutions provider to help advance businesses and address local communities’ needs,” Arevalo said.
Arevalo underscored that TMSPH will support the operating efficiency and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) of various industries which are crucial in driving economic growth.
During the event, TMSPH presented an initial pipeline of services which include fleet-connected service, on-demand shuttle booking app, car sharing or rental, logistics matching service, and fleet management service.
Toyota’s new subsidiary is considered a ‘New Mobility Dojo’ that is projected to modernize domestic mobility systems and Internet of Things (IoT), potentially creating employment opportunities for technical but customer-centric professionals.
In relation to manufacturing, TMP said it is confident that the Philippines can rebound to the pre-pandemic momentum of motorization. The company added, “automotive manufacturing remains the Company’s core business and will continue to serve as a major driver of economic development.”
Alfred V. Ty, Chairman of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., said on Friday that it has always been TMP’s vision to contribute to the Philippine economy through their automotive manufacturing business.
“As of the end of last year, Toyota is happy to provide jobs for approximately 63,000 Filipinos at TMP, our dealers, suppliers, and affiliates. We have also contributed $17.1 billion in terms of auto component exports to our Toyota group worldwide since we started export operations in 1997,” said Ty.
At its manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa City Laguna, TMP currently produces two models, the Innova and the Vios—a participating model with a P5.58-billion investment under the government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS program).
Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. is the largest mobility company with the expansive reach of 72 Toyota dealers nationwide and one Lexus dealer in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual recognized the crucial role of mobility in economic and social progress.
“People can use it to access goods, services, information, employment, information, markets, as well as getting in touch with family and friends. Mobility indeed can improve the quality of life,” said Pascual at the Inauguration of Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Inc. in Taguig City.
Pascual said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) lauds Toyota’s efforts to offer a wide range of mobility-related products and services to consumers as well as industrial, commercial, and agricultural enterprises.
The Trade chief added that the automotive firm’s products and services will not only generate jobs but also lower the costs of doing business and help the economy grow even more.
As one of his key priority programs under his watch, Pascual highlighted the potential contribution of mobility solutions to MSMEs, particularly in terms of access to efficient logistics that suit the needs and financial capabilities of the enterprises.
With this, the Trade chief noted, “DTI and Toyota can further collaborate in preparing MSMEs through training programs so that MSMEs can maximize the use of their vehicles for their business.”
Pascual also noted that Toyota can participate as a technology partner of the Center of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research that will support a specialized center laboratory and joint R&D that will focus on AI innovations for mobility.
“AI technologies can create a massive impact through solutions—from intelligent sensors and vehicle-to-vehicle communication to smart city planning,” said Pascual.
The Trade chief stressed that the DTI Center for AI Research will gather researchers and industry players to pursue AI innovations that will push the mobility frontier, among others.
According to Pascual, the DTI also aims to collaborate with Toyota along with the country’s higher education institutions which can launch competitions that will prompt innovative transport and mobility solutions.