2nd PhilAPEX to Highlight Locally-Developed PUV Models

The Philippine Part Makers Association (PPMA), with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments (DTI-BOI), is set to open the doors tomorrow, August 9, for the 2nd Philippine Auto & Parts Expo (PhilAPEX). To be held at the SMX Convention Center in the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City until August 10, 2018, PhilAPEX has been conceived "to highlight and create public awareness on the progress and achievements of the CARS Program." CARS is the acronym for the government's Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program which has the aim of attracting new investments, stimulating demand, and effectively implementing industry regulations that "will revitalize the Philippine automotive industry, and develop the country as a regional automotive manufacturing hub." In particular, PhilAPEX is being held to:

• showcase our local auto parts manufacturing capabilities;
• present the gains from the two CARS Program Participating Car Makers’ (PCMs) implementation of their respective investment plans; and
• provide the opportunity for Business-to-Business networking among part makers and vehicle manufacturers.

The 2nd PhilAPEX will continue with last year's theme, "Gawang Pilipino para sa Pilipino," highlighted by the two models locally produced under the CARS Program: the Mitsubishi Mirage subcompact hatchback and the Mirage G4 subcompact sedan, and the full model change Toyota Vios subcompact sedan. As stated by BOI Vice-Chairman and Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo, "2018 has been a very auspicious year for the CARS Program. We can now report and show to the public the production of these two models only three years after the promulgation of EO 182." Rodolfo also highlighted that the running total investments of more than PHP10 bilion have brought the 2 PCMs closer to CARS' localization target of 50 percent of BOM. Aside from showing the CARS Program participants, this year’s expo will once again feature the locally-developed public utility vehicle (PUV) models that will vie for the slots under the proposed eco-PUV Manufacturing Program as well as other locally-manufactured vehicles (LMVs). The 1st PhilAPEX last year held at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City was highlighted by the first public appearance of the prototype modern jeepneys of the Department of Transportation‘s (DOTr) Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). As explained by Rodolfo, "the inclusion of local PUVs and LMVs highlights the importance of local vehicle manufacturing and the government's thrust to support it. It comes at a time when the DTI-BOI undertakes the review of the Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP) to make it more relevant and its incentives package more appropriate in the light of major developments in the industry." In addition to the ongoing review of the MVDP, DTI-BOI is also in the final stages of developing the eco-PUV Program, the proposed fiscal support package for the manufacture of the replacement PUVs to be deployed under the DOTr's PUV Modernization Program. Interested participants to the government's PUV Modernization Program are also invited to attend the first day of the 2nd PhilAPEX tomorrow as representatives from the government and the banking industry will be on hand to discuss the topic. At 2 PM, DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark de Leon will talk about the program's franchising and route rationalization. At 3 PM, Development Bank of the Philippines First Vice President Paul Lazaro will discuss the financing of the PUVs. Ending the program at 4 PM will be CARS Program Director Romulo Manlapig of the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments who will talk about PUV manufacturing. The doors of the 2nd PhilAPEX will be open to the public on August 9 from 12 to 5 PM and on August 10 from 10 to 5 PM.