STARTING as Chrysler Philippines Corporation in 1963, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) celebrated its 60th-anniversary last week at its manufacturing facility in Sta. Rosa.
The carmaker is the only brand in the first Progressive Car Manufacturing Program (PCMP) in 1973, to have remained in the Philippines after the Asian financial crisis. For this celebration, the company wants to encourage the Philippine government to continue with the Comprehensive Car Manufacturing Program (CARS) which allows assemblers perks for assembling and exporting vehicles locally.
The original participants included DMG Motors (Volkswagen), Ford Motors Philippines, General Motors, Delta Motors Corporation (Toyota), and Universal Motors Corp. Ford exited in 1984 and returned in 1997. Delta Motors also closed shop and returned as Toyota Motors in 1997.
By this time Chrysler Philippines became the Philippine Automotive Manufacturing Corporation (PAMCOR) which was a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) of Japan and the Nissho Iwai Corporation. PAMCOR continued for several years as the company behind the iconic Lancer box-type, the release of the Evo Lancers.
“Our commitment to the Philippines will remain unchanged for the future and we will continue to contribute to the country through local manufacturing and providing attractive models to our valued customers,” Takeshi Hara, MMPC President, and CEO, said during his speech.
The Mirage, Lancer, Galant, Pajero, and the L200 pick-up and L300 van were the mainstays of the brand. The L300 in particular has remained for over four decades and is now considered an icon in the commercial vehicle sector. Its innovative Space Wagon started the MPV category and the Adventure became a mainstay in the Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) class. Today, Mirage, Mirage G4, Strada, Xpander, Montero Sport, and Outlander PHEV.
The Mitsubishi Colt–a pick-up type L300, not the classic small sedan of the 70s–was specially developed for Indonesia, taking full advantage of ASEAN free trade perks while proudly assembled at the company’s Sta Rosa plant, which includes a body stamping factory that produces the majority of the panels for the commercial vehicle. It is the second vehicle MMPC exported from the Sta Rosa facility. The first one is the Mirage, which in 2016 became the first entrant to the then newly minted CARS program.
During the ceremony, showed his deepest gratitude to the Philippine government, all the business partners including more than 70 suppliers and 25 dealer groups, and MMPC employees for all the support extended to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation. He said
“I’m very happy to celebrate MMPC’s 60th anniversary as well as witness its strong performance, as MMPC has been one of the biggest automobile brands in the Philippines. I am also pleased and proud that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is the only car manufacturer which has never left the country since its founding, even during the economic crisis, and contributed to the economic development of the country for over 60 years,” Hara added.
“The Philippines has been and will be one of the most important markets for Mitsubishi Motors. Through our manufacturing and sales operations, we will continue to contribute to the transfer of technology, human resources development, and creation of jobs in the country,” Takao Kato, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President, and CEO said.
Kato expressed his deepest gratitude to the Philippine government, all the business partners including more than 70 suppliers and 25 dealer groups, and MMPC employees for all the support extended to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation.
“I’m very happy to celebrate MMPC’s 60th anniversary as well as witness its strong performance, as MMPC has been one of the biggest automobile brands in the Philippines. I am also pleased and proud that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is the only car manufacturer which has never left the country since its founding, even during the economic crisis, and contributed to the economic development of the country for over 60 years,” Kato added.
“We have successfully introduced and launched different vehicle model line-up. With our attractive models, we are continuously satisfying our valued customers and living up to our slogan “Life Made Better for Filipinos,” Takeshi Hara, MMPC President and CEO said during his speech.
The brand is committed to serving Filipinos, with its dedication to enriching customers’ lives by continuously refining technologies and introducing attractive models to the market. Making life better for Filipinos has always been at the forefront of its goals.
“Last July, we revealed the new name of its aftersales service arm — Mitsubishi Motors CARES. With Mitsubishi Motors CARES, it is our goal for to make our customers worry-free and confident that they are leaving their vehicles in the best hands whenever they enter our service workshops,” Hara added.
Both President and CEO are willing to further commit to the market and optimistic of the future milestones that the brand can attain. Kato said “The Philippines has been and will be one of the most important markets for Mitsubishi Motors. Through our manufacturing and sales operations, we will continue to contribute to transfer of technology, human resources development, and creation of jobs in the country.”
“We have successfully surpassed all the challenges over a period of time, and we will remain steadfast and strong. We will continue to work as a team to further achieve our goals.” Hara said.
The commitment to make life better for all the Filipinos will always be at the forefront of the brand’s goals. Then, now, and for 60 more generations and beyond.
