Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. on Friday inaugurated the P4.7-billion Batangas Vehicle Center that will contribute towards accelerating economic growth through the automotive industry.
“The BVC will serve as TMPC’s central facility for completely built units distribution, thus leaving the existing logistics facility in Sta. Rosa more focused on the production of completely knocked-down units,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
“We commend Toyota for streamlining its logistics operations as it poses an opportunity to expand local manufacturing capacities,” he said.
TMP said the new facility is a testament to its strong confidence in the local automotive industry as it gears towards full recovery from the pandemic.
The 32-hectare facility streamlines vehicle handling prior to inter-island transport and ultimately ensures promised delivery time and quality of Toyota vehicles for dealers and customers.
TMP chairman Alfred Ty said that despite the temporary lockdowns, the company sustained the local production of Vios and Innova, safeguarding the employment of around 40,000 Filipinos in its value chain.
“Motor vehicle sales and services was one of the key sectors that contributed to the 11.8 percent growth in gross domestic product in the second quarter of this year,” Ty said.
Ty lauded the government for the timely resolution of the petition for safeguard measures, for considering the extension of Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program and for the inclusion of the mobility sector as essential services.
“This Batangas Vehicle Center is our renewed commitment to better days ahead. This is part of our joint efforts with the government, business sector and Filipino people to win the war against COVID-19 and build a better tomorrow, together,” said Ty.
TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto said the operation of BVC is essential in its distribution network that would address the increasing market demands.
“This facility gives a stock capacity of 4,500 units on top off our existing stockyard in Santa Rosa [City, Laguna], bringing to an annual capacity of over 160,000 units,” Okamoto said.
With the establishment of the BVC, the Santa Rosa Vehicle Center will be dedicated to the growing CKD Vios and Innova models that will cater to the increasing customer demand for proudly locally-made Toyota vehicles.
“This is indeed a momentous expansion in the Philippine automotive industry, bearing in mind that logistics is a major driver not only of costs but of quality and delivery as well. The optimum logistics scheme will ensure shortened customer waiting time and preserved vehicle quality from production to delivery,” Lopez said.
Major design principles at core facilities were conceived and integrated in close collaboration with Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan.
The BVC has 18 truck covered lanes for vehicle loading and unloading. The weatherproof structure is designed for added safety, considering the changing weather conditions in the country.
With this design both applied at Santa Rosa VLC and BVC, TMP is the first among Toyota logistic facilities to have such structure in the Asia Pacific region after Japan.
A sewage treatment plant and a material recovery facility are built inside the BVC for proper management of water and wastes.
A six-hectare parcel of land is dedicated to greening and afforestation to enhance biodiversity in the area.
Future plans include the use of solar energy, rainwater harvesting and flood control features. The BVC has 26 percent of land area designated for environmental management and conservation.