Santa Rosa, Laguna—Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas has confirmed that Nissan Philippines Inc. will cease production of its Nissan Almera in the city effective March this year.
“I was informed about it two weeks ago. They notified me officially through a letter and personally during a meeting,” she said, adding the decision had been made following the expiration of the assembly contract between Nissan and its partner Univation Motor Philippines, a major locator in the city.
“Of course, we in the city government are saddened by this recent development, especially since Nissan is one of the pioneer car companies that made Santa Rosa their home. But the move is aligned with their plan towards optimized production and efficient business operations in the ASEAN region. And that is, of course, something we cannot go against,” the mayor explained.
Arcillas said the city is still hopeful that if Nissan decides to resume local production, the City of Santa Rosa is still on top of its list.
The mayor clarified that Univation Motor Philippines will continue its operations in the city.
“Univation will still be here in Santa Rosa. They assured me that they still have other contracts and will still bring business in (the city),” she shared.
Cognizant of the effect of this closure on the city’s revenue, Arcillas said she remains confident the city will be able to maintain its status as the Motor City of the Philippines, as major car manufacturers Toyota Motors Philippines and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines and bus assemblers Star Motors and Columbian Motors have made the city their home for many years.
All these companies have been major and outstanding taxpayers and were regularly recognized in the city’s Lion Awards for Business, she noted.