New company aims to improve Filipinos’ quality of life, provides seamless mobility solutions to the country
Text and photos by Monsi A. Serrano
It’s undeniable that the mobility problem in the Philippines remains ubiquitous due to many factors like the absence of an efficient and integrated railway system, heavy congestion in heart of the metropolis and key cities, and integrated roads that lead to provinces and countryside, among others.
Pre-pandemic, commuters have to bear the agony of waking up early to beat the traffic and arrive at their workplace on time and not be tired or harassed. As our country aspires for economic recovery in the post-pandemic world, and work from home is slowly being taken out, the mobility of Filipinos remains an issue that needs to be given not just an immediate solution but also a long term and sustainable solution.
Realistically speaking, there is no one signs fits all solution to the mobility challenges any country faces because this problem calls for patience, analysis, systems design and systematic implementation of the proposed solutions. It calls for a dialogue with various stakeholders such as policy makers, regulators, implementors and the riding public on how to improve mobility for everyone.
Automotive industry leader, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) inaugurated today Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Inc. (TMSPH), a wholly owned subsidiary that will be a provider of mobility-related services.
TMSPH ventures into the development and offering of a range of ‘new mobility solutions’ that will enhance Toyota as a brand that creates value for society through a service business model. Along with automotive manufacturing and distribution businesses, TMP furthers its effort to provide safety and comfort for Filipinos with TMSPH’s Vehicle Usership (VU) platforms, available for individuals and the business sector.
According to TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto, this new venture will “better shape the industry’s role in building our modern societies and enriching human lives.” “We will accelerate the fulfillment of Toyota’s global mission to ‘Produce Happiness for All’ and vision to create ‘Mobility for All,” he added.
TMSPH president Ma. Cristina Fe Arevalo defined TMP’s concept of ‘new mobility’ as a suite of technology and data-driven lifestyle and business solutions that can address day-to day challenges of moving people and goods from one point to another. “We envision TMSPH to be at the center of the ‘new mobility’ ecosystem as an integrated, ‘one-stop’ mobility solutions provider to help advance businesses and address local communities’ needs,” she explained.
Arevalo highlighted that TMSPH will primarily support the operating efficiency and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises or MSMEs of various industries which are vital in driving economic growth.
Watch Ms. Cristina Arevalo leading the toast during the launching of Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines:
TMSPH presented an initial pipeline of services which include fleet-connected service, on-demand shuttle booking app, car sharing or rental, logistics matching service, and fleet management service. Additionally, TMSPH will complement Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation (TFSPH) in promoting and managing units under its full operating lease product called KINTO.
The first of its kind among Toyota affiliates in the Southeast Asian region, TMSPH is considered as a ‘New Mobility Dojo’ that is projected to modernize domestic mobility systems and Internet of Things (IoT), potentially creating employment opportunities for technical but customer-centric professionals.
Further strengthening core business
Confident that the Philippines can rebound to the pre-pandemic momentum of motorization, TMP says the automotive manufacturing remains the Company’s core business and will continue to serve as a major driver of economic development.
Toyota provides staunch support to local manufacturing, a backbone of the Philippine economy, through a strategic network of vehicle and parts manufacturing industries, as well as the export of automotive parts and components by local Toyota Group suppliers.
“Our vision has always been to contribute to the Philippine economy and society through our automotive manufacturing business,” TMP chairman Alfred V. Ty said. “As of the end of last year, Toyota is happy to provide jobs for approximately 63,000 Filipinos at TMP, our dealers, suppliers, and affiliates. We have also contributed $17.1 billion in terms of auto component exports to our Toyota group worldwide since we started export operations in 1997.”
At its manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, TMP currently produces two (2) models, the Innova and the Vios – a participating model with a PHP 5.58-billion investment under the government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy or CARS program.