Citing the economic benefits of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) said the program should not be limited to a one-time implementation only as it also expressed strong interest to join again if government decides to mount a second phase of the car manufacturing program with enhanced incentives. 

“We hope to be able to continue, enhance this program, sustain this program and in fact we are asking for a CARS 2,” MMPC First Vice-President  Imelda Abadilla Brown told reporters during the company’s 60th Anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 10, at the World Trade Center.

In asking for CARS 2, Brown cited the program as  “very beneficial to the society and generates jobs.” 

“We keep to preserve jobs that we want to continue producing the Mirage,” she added.

Aside from jobs creation, she said the program has supported and developed local autoparts suppliers. 

The current CARS program grants tax incentives to its two participants —MMPC and Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. The two participants are required to invest for their manufacturing facility and produce 200,000 units over a six-year period. 

“It’s not just about getting the volume, but continue supporting our local suppliers. The cars program should not be a one-time program,” Brown said.

“The CARS program is something that the industry needs. It's a very good program,” she added.

Should government decides to mount a CARS 2, MMPC has the intention to participate in the program.

Brown said they would be able to bring in additional investments and manufacture another model, excluding its current CARS program model.

But she hastened to add that this would also mean extending “CARS-like support” to make it happen.

Without sufficient support, the MMPC plan may just to another country, Brown said.

This is because other Mitsubishi Motors affiliates in ASEAN are also competing with the Philippines.

“So it all depends on the extent of support that government will be able to provide,” she said.

In the meantime, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended the CARS program for five more years as the pandemic had caused delays for CARS participants to comply with their production volume requirement on time.

So far, MMPC has already produced more than 90,000 units of Mirage. It expects to hit 100,000 units by the end of this year and start enjoying the tax incentives. 

For the extension period, MMPC plans to produce 20,000 units annually to fulfill its commitment.