Proposals to launch electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing under the government’s Electric Vehicle Industrial Strategy (EVIS) must be examined more closely to ensure scale, sustainability, and industry alignment, according to Alfred Ty, chairman of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp.
Ty pointed to lessons from the government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, saying it demonstrated the power of public-private collaboration in reviving local vehicle production.
“Based on the CARS program, public-private partnership shows real evidence that it works very well for both sides. So why not continue it?” Ty said, urging the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and industry players to sit down and map out a viable path for EV manufacturing.
But he cautioned that ambition alone will not guarantee success. “In any program, in any car model, there has to be economies of scale for it to work,” he stressed.
While electrification is gaining traction, Ty described the Philippine EV market as still in its infancy. Hybrid and fully electric models are beginning to build momentum, he noted, but production volumes remain a critical hurdle — especially when seeking investment approval from regional or global headquarters.
“It’s not only the manufacturer’s intention. You need the support of all the parts makers. What’s the economies of scale? How will that all work? So it’s for discussion,” he said.
Ty added that Toyota evaluates investments on a regional basis, underscoring the need for deeper study before committing resources. “It should be studied more deeply. Yes, of course.”
The EVIS aims to accelerate local EV manufacturing and boost adoption to four million units by 2035, supporting the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act through subsidies, tax perks, and preferential power rates for charging infrastructure.
