Toyota’s next-gen Tamaraw boosts local manufacturing with in-house conversion and supply chain investments

Ceremonial Toast. Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) marks the next-generation Tamaraw’s start of production with a roll-off ceremony in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. In photo (from left) are Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Economic Minister Daisuke Nihei, TMP Vice Chairman David Go, Toyota Asia Region Deputy Chief Executive Officer Hao Quoc Tien, TMP Chairman Alfred V. Ty, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso Panga, TMP President Masando Hashimoto, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Department of Transportation Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, Toyota Motor Corporation Chief Engineer Satoki Oya, and TMP Executive Vice President for Manufacturing Yasuhiro Kutsuki.

Advertisement

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) rolled off the proudly Philippine-made next-generation Tamaraw commercial vehicle, unveiling a new conversion facility at its manufacturing plant and headquarters in Laguna.

With a returning nameplate, this ‘Tamaraw’ is based on Toyota’s new International Multi-purpose Vehicle 0 (IMV 0) platform for the Asian market. Such move to localize this model underscores the company’s support to the Philippine government in strengthening the economy, revitalizing local automotive manufacturing, and adding new value by reaching new sectors.

TMP’s Santa Rosa plant, with a capacity exceeding 54,800 units annually, now produces three Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) models: the Vios, Innova, and Next Generation Tamaraw.  This expansion aims to bolster local capabilities and regional competitiveness, drive technology transfer, and sustain employment.

With a robust and versatile design primarily for commercial use, TMP also aims to provide an inclusive mobility solution for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across various industries nationwide.

“It is the third locally produced model here in our Santa Rosa Plant – built by Filipinos, for Filipinos! It is a testament to our commitment to nation building, our belief in Filipino craftsmanship, and our continuing mission to create ever-better cars for the Philippines,” said TMP Chairman Alfred V. Ty in his welcome address.

In an exclusive plant tour for the event guests, TMP also showcased its new 1.5-hectare ‘TMP Conversion Factory,’ built with a PHP 1.1 billion investment. This brings the total investment in the IMV 0 project to PHP 5.5 billion, combining with earlier investments in vehicle production, in-house and outsourced parts localizations.

The newly constructed facility can convert the vehicle into three Tamaraw body styles – dropside, utility van, and aluminum van – with gas and diesel engine options.  It also features advanced technology to ensure safety, quality, cost efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Toyota Asia Region deputy chief executive officer Hao Quoc Tien noted that the TMP Conversion Factory is a capability breakthrough, being first of its kind in the Southeast Asian region. 

For its upstream economic impact, the local production of the Next Generation Tamaraw also boosts TMP’s supply chain. Toyota suppliers – including new parts-makers and returning previous-generation Tamaraw body builders – have drawn investment plans amounting to PHP 500 million, covering plant set-up, expansion, and procurement of equipment.

The Next Generation Tamaraw roll-off ceremony was attended by key stakeholders from the Toyota network, government, industry, and media. The grand product launch to the Philippine market is scheduled on December 6 of this year while retail sales will commence by January 2025.