Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) inaugurated today the Batangas Vehicle Center (BVC), another milestone of the leading automotive company that will contribute towards accelerating economic growth through the automotive industry.
Constructed with an investment of P4.7 billion, the BVC is yet another testament to TMP’s strong confidence in the local automotive industry as it gears towards full recovery from the pandemic. The 32-hectare facility streamlines vehicle handling prior to inter-island transport and ultimately ensures promised delivery time and quality of Toyota vehicles for dealers and customers.
In his welcoming remarks, TMP chairman Alfred V. Ty highlighted Toyota’s contributions to the Philippine economy. Despite temporary lockdowns, TMP has sustained the local production of Vios and Innova, safeguarding the employment of around 40,000 Filipinos in its total value chain.
Ty cited that “motor vehicle sales and services was one of the key sectors that contributed to the 11.8% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of this year.”
Emphasizing the strong collaboration between the government and the auto industry, Ty lauded the government for the timely resolution of the petition for safeguard measures, for considering the extension of Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy or CARS program, and for the inclusion of the mobility sector as essential services.
“This Batangas Vehicle Center is our renewed commitment to better days ahead. This is part of our joint efforts with the government, business sector and Filipino people to win the war against COVID-19 and build a better tomorrow, together,” Ty remarked.
The challenges brought about by the pandemic has not deferred TMP from pursuing its objective of setting a vehicle center to streamline the preparations and delivery of Toyota vehicles to its dealers nationwide.
TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto highlighted that the operation of BVC is essential in its distribution network that will address the increasing market demands. “This facility gives a stock capacity of 4,500 units on top off our existing stockyard in Santa Rosa [City, Laguna], bringing to an annual capacity of over 160,000 units,” Okamoto mentioned in his speech.
With the establishment of the BVC, the Santa Rosa Vehicle Center will be dedicated to the growing completely-knocked down (CKD) Vios and Innova models that will cater the increasing customer demand for proudly locally-made Toyota vehicles.
Promoting Sustainable Operations
The BVC is constructed with sustainable features that prioritize human safety in each process and implement responsible practices for zero or net positive impact to environment.
Vehicle processing lines, service and office areas follow the “Safe, Clean & Bright” guidelines as well as COVID-19 safety and health protocols to protect everyone’s safety in the workplace. Major design principles at core facilities were conceived and integrated in close collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.
The BVC has 18 truck covered lanes for vehicle loading and unloading. This weather- proof structure is designed for added safety, considering the changing weather conditions in the country. With this design both applied at Santa Rosa VLC and BVC, TMP is the first among Toyota logistic facilities to have such structure in the Asia Pacific region after Japan.
Likewise, a sewage treatment plant and a material recovery facility are built inside the BVC for proper management of water and wastes. In addition, a six-hectare parcel of land is dedicated to greening and afforestation to enhance biodiversity in the area.
Future plans include the use of solar energy, rainwater harvesting and flood control features. Overall, the BVC has 26 percent land area designated for environmental management and conservation.