The Department of Finance said Monday the Philippines is on track to produce its first locally manufactured hybrid vehicles, as Mitsubishi Motors Corp. advances plans to set up dedicated hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) production at its Philippine unit’s plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
MMC President and Chief Executive Officer Takao Kato confirmed the initiative during a meeting with Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go in Malacañang, underscoring growing investor confidence in the country’s automotive sector.
Beyond local assembly, Mitsubishi is evaluating export prospects for hybrid models from its Laguna facility—potentially transforming the Philippines into a regional production base rather than a purely domestic market.
“This is a landmark investment that will redefine the future of our automotive industry. And the even more exciting possibility is that we could be an exporter of hybrid cars,” Go said.
The planned rollout is expected to deepen localization of advanced vehicle technologies while supporting the government’s push toward cleaner transport and higher-value manufacturing. Domestic HEV production could also curb reliance on imported fuel and help lower emissions in densely populated urban areas.
The initiative aligns with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act and broader efforts to prepare the country for full electrification, as battery costs decline and renewable energy capacity expands.
Meanwhile, the Board of Investments is finalizing its Electric Vehicle Incentives Strategy (EVIS) program for approval, aimed at drawing further investments and positioning the Philippines as an emerging hub for electric vehicle manufacturing in Southeast Asia.
