AC Motors asked the government to encourage automotive stakeholders to manufacture local mini vans and multi-purpose vans for public utility vehicle use.
“We need to define our own niche the way Thailand and Indonesia defined their own. Instead of competing with them in the cars category, why not we focus on commercial vehicles for PUV use,” said AC Motors president for Automobile Group Antonio Zara III.
He said the Philippines has yet to catch up with cars manufacturers in the region.
Zara said the country’s most ambitious automotive incentives program is not delivering as expected.
“Even China is not producing this. And the demand for such vehicles is insignificant to these markets. But it’s not insignifi cant for us. What if we can own it for the world,” he said.
Zara said the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program of the Department of Trade and Industry is not yet successful and the Philippines is in a better position to develop the van category for the PUV segment.
While there is a slim chance of exporting the mini vans and MPVs, the local transportation sector is needing more modern PUVS for the commuting population, he said.