The government is in talks with Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. to create an important component of the proposed modern jeepney.
The Trade Department said it recently called for a meeting with MMPC last week to finalize the design and specifications of the vehicle.
“Our technology people are discussing the dimensions. How big and how many can the vehicle accommodate, as well the estimated price per unit,” said MMPC senior marketing manager Arlan Reyes.
Under the People Carrier Automotive Investment Scheme, the government’s mass transportation system would undergo a facelift to make the jeepney as a more efficient transportation mode.
Mitsubishi said it could manufacture the chassis and the drivetrain that could be patterned after the company’s L-300 units.
“But the body will have to designed by another entity and built by a different company,” said Reyes.
The design should be able to carry at least 10 and a maximum of 35 people including the driver.
The Board of Investments initially set the selling price at not more than P1 million per unit, or approximately the price of a regular jeepney unit.
Reyes said the new jeepney units would have better carbon emissions and more safety features.
“However, for our part, we still cannot commit on the price. But the discussions that we’ll be having will determine the viability and the soundness of the pricing,” he said.
The People Carrier Automotive Investment Scheme is a component of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Programn.