New Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) President Masando Hashimoto vowed to integrate local manufacturing in strong collaboration with local parts makers for the production of Filipino-made vehicles.

Hashimoto, who is Toyota Philippines’ youngest president yet, made this commitment during the turnover ceremony of TMP new leadership on Tuesday, Feb. 20, noting that completely knocked down (CKD) operation remains at the core of its business.

“As CKD manufacturing remains at the core of our business, Toyota can have the best of both worlds of hardware for production quality and software for high-skilled workforce,” he said, adding that one of its goals is to “contribute to economic balance so we will continue to enhance our very own  automotive and parts manufacturing capabilities.” 

Hashimoto believes that this goal can be accomplished through multi-stakeholder cooperation to make  “our industry much more  globally competitive.”

With Toyota’s strong root in the Philippines, Hashimoto said that “believing in Toyota is also believing in the Filipino. Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang gawang Pilipino para sa Pilipino! (Let us altogether  promote the Philippine-made for the Filipino!),” he said.  

“Yes, we can do it,” he said, citing the success and impact of manual transmission exports by Toyota Philippines since 1992. 

In addition, TMP will be launching this year the “Next Generation Tamaraw”, which is touted  as the next “vehicle of change” for the small business or MSME sector.

The Next Generation Tamaraw, which will be TMP’s third CKD model, has created opportunities for enhancing skills and  building expertise in vehicle conversion. “Soon when it rolls off our Santa Rosa plant, just like a real ‘TAMARAW,’ it will respond to specialized needs and become partner for growth of Filipinos,” said Hashimoto. 

Hashimoto also vowed that TMP will even go beyond integration of local manufacturing as it will pursue its New Mobility Business.

Last year, TMP piloted the on-demand Toyota Community Shuttle program in the cities of Santa Rosa and Pasay. Using the latest GPS and routing technology, customers can book their ride through their own  mobile app, enjoy air-conditioned, and comfortable shuttle anytime and anywhere they want. 

Beyond the traditional point-to-point movement of people, Toyota will continuously evolve to become a "one-stop provider" of mobility solutions, including PUV transportation. 

Meanwhile, outgoing TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto, who assumed the position at the height of the Covid in 2020, expressed his profound gratitude to the TMP shareholders, employers and stakeholders for supporting him during his most challenging assignment in the company. 

It could be recalled that Okamoto was welcomed by the Taal volcano eruption when he came into the country in January 2020 and two months after with the declaration of the Covid pandemic. 

“In all honesty, my four years here in TMP were the most wonderful, most exciting, most valuable, and most meaningful assignment  I have ever had in my entire company life. I will cherish it forever,” said Okamoto in his farewell address. 

For his part, TMP Chairman Alfred Ty cited Okamoto for charging ahead with “steadfastness and courage” and for showing the way for Toyota PH by bringing “hope where there was confusion, always with a smile and a good word for everyone.”

Even during the pandemic, Okamoto launched one new model after the other, for a total of five model launches in 2020 via online. He also kept the workforce intact – office, factory, logistics – and kept the factory running. 

To the new TMP leader, Ty wished Hashimoto ever-better successes and achievements. He said that they all look forward to the introduction of the next generation Tamaraw during his leadership.