BUILT BY FILIPINOS FOR THE FILIPINOS

Remember the Toyota Tamaraw — the boxy, tough and very reliable Asian utility vehicle that your tito used to drive back in the day? Well, it’s making a return — better and tougher than ever.

Toyota Motor Philippines formally unveiled the Philippine-made Next Generation Tamaraw commercial vehicle while presenting a new conversion facility at its manufacturing plant and headquarters in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

With a returning nameplate, this “Tamaraw” is based on Toyota’s new International Multi-purpose Vehicle 0 (IMV 0) platform for the Asian market.

TMP previously said its grand launch will be held simultaneously in eight malls — Glorietta in Makati City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Trinoma in Quezon City, Ayala Malls Solenad in Santa Rosa, Laguna and SM City Cebu in Cebu City, SM City Pampanga in San Fernando, Pampanga, SM Lanang Premier and Davao City Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City on 6 December.

Sales will commence in January 2025.

TMP chairman Alfred Ty said such a move to localize the model underscores the company’s support to the Philippine government in strengthening the economy, revitalizing local automotive manufacturing and adding new value by reaching new sectors.

TMP’s Santa Rosa plant, with a capacity exceeding 54,800 units annually, now produces three Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) models: The Vios, Innova and Next Generation Tamaraw. The expansion aims to bolster local capabilities and regional competitiveness, drive technology transfer and sustain employment.

With a robust and versatile design primarily for commercial use, TMP also aims to provide an inclusive mobility solution for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various industries nationwide.

“It is the third locally produced model here in our Santa Rosa Plant — built by Filipinos, for Filipinos,” Ty said in his welcome address.

“It is a testament to our commitment to nation-building, our belief in Filipino craftsmanship, and our continuing mission to create ever-better cars for the Philippines.”

In an exclusive plant tour, TMP also showcased its new 1.5-hectare “TMP Conversion Factory,” built with a P1.1 billion investment. This brings the total investment in the IMV 0 project to P5.5 billion, combined with earlier investments in vehicle production, and in-house and outsourced parts localizations.

The newly-constructed facility can convert the vehicle into three Tamaraw body styles — drop side, utility van, and aluminum van — with gas and diesel engine options. It also features advanced technology to ensure safety, quality, cost efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Toyota Asia Region deputy chief executive officer Hao Quoc Tien noted that the TMP Conversion Factory is a capability breakthrough, being first of its kind in the Southeast Asian region.

For its upstream economic impact, the local production of the Next Generation Tamaraw also boosts TMP’s supply chain. Toyota suppliers — including new parts-makers and returning previous-generation Tamaraw bodybuilders — have drawn investment plans amounting to P500 million, covering plant set-up, expansion and procurement of equipment.

The Next Generation Tamaraw roll-off ceremony was attended by key stakeholders from the Toyota network, government, industry and media.

True enough, the Tamaraw is back, stronger and more versatile than ever, ready to drive progress and mobility across the Philippines.

Your tito must be happy.