THE country’s automotive industry leader Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP), recently inaugurated Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Inc. (TMSPH) as its new wholly-owned subsidiary providing mobility-related services.
According to TMP, this new company aims to improve Filipinos’ quality of life through “Better Mobility for Better Quality of Life.”
This first-of-its-kind company will provide integrated mobility solutions, which include systems and applications that boost productivity in the movement of people and commodities. Through technology and data-driven services, the new company aims to assist local businesses and communities in growing and improving the quality of their lives.
TMSPH ventures to create and provide various “new mobility solutions” that will strengthen the brand’s position as a company that contributes to society through a service-based business model. With TMSPH’s Vehicle Usership (VU) platforms, accessible to individuals and the business sector, TMP continues its mission to deliver safety and comfort for Filipinos alongside automotive manufacturing and distribution enterprises.
TMSPH president Ma. Cristina Fe Arevalo defined TMP’s new mobility concept as a suite of technology and data-driven lifestyle and business solutions that can address the 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,” she explained. The TMSPH head also highlighted that it would primarily support the operating efficiency and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises or MSMEs of various industries, which are vital in driving economic growth.
TMSPH unveiled a preliminary pipeline of services, including a fleet-connected service, a booking app for on-demand shuttles, a car-sharing or rental option, a logistics matching tool, and a fleet management service. TMSPH would additionally support Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corp. (TFSPH) in marketing and overseeing apartments under its complete functioning lease product known as KINTO.
Moreover, the first of its kind among Toyota affiliates in the Southeast Asian region, TMSPH is considered a ‘New Mobility Dojo’ projected to modernize domestic mobility systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). It will also potentially create employment opportunities for technical but customer-centric professionals.
TMP chairman Alfred V. Ty sees that traditional automotive manufacturing is rapidly transforming with the advent of new technologies. “It is, in fact, ushering in an era of connected, automated, shared, and electrified mobility or case. On the other hand, a rising concern by people for the environment and sustainable living is changing the way they consume mobility”.
Ty also explained that the traditional business model of manufacture and ownership of cars is fast changing to a focus on car usership. “These two streams compel us to shift from just being a manufacturer and retailer of motor vehicles to being a full-scale mobility solutions provider. This is, in fact, our very inspiration for today’s launch of Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines: to continue in our promise of producing happiness and winning the smiles of Filipinos by creating mobility for all,” he explained.
For his part, TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto shared that 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.
Further strengthening core business
Meanwhile, TMP claims that the automotive industry remains the company’s primary business and will continue to play a significant role in driving economic development. The company is confident that the Philippines can recover from the pre-pandemic momentum of motorization.
Through a strategic network of vehicle and part manufacturing companies and the export of automotive parts and components by local Toyota Group suppliers, Toyota steadfastly supports local manufacturing, a cornerstone of the Philippine economy.
“Our vision has always been to contribute to the Philippine economy and society through our automotive manufacturing business,” said Ty. “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 auto component exports to our Toyota group worldwide since we started export operations in 1997.”
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 or CARS program.