Toyota to focus on boosting CKD next year

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced over the weekend that it is strengthening the local completely knocked down (CKD) segment in the country.

“We are going to focus on CKDs,” TMP vice president Rommel T. Gutierrez told The Star in an interview.

According to him, this would be the focus of the car company’s initiative next year.

Meanwhile, TMP declined to comment on the effects of Toyota Motors Corp.’s (TMC) decision to cut its sales forecast owing to the slowdown in demand in the United States and European markets.

The Japanese group, which includes Daihatsu Motor and Hino cars, now expects to sell 9.7 million cars and trucks in 2009 or 700,000 fewer than its previous forecast.

It was also not clear as to whether the slackening of demand in other countries and the global financial crisis will have a direct effect on the plan of the firm to introduce hybrid vehicles here.

Earlier, TMP said the government needs to give more incentives to companies going green like those importing hybrid vehicles. TMP president Hiroshi Ito said it is very costly to import hybrid vehicles. “The government needs to give incentives.”

According to Ito, they have not formally asked the Board of Investments (BOI) for incentives to import hybrid cars, but he said Toyota is willing to spearhead the move to get more perks for being environmental friendly.

Ito said should Toyota decide to sell hybrid vehicles in the Philippines, the price will be similar to other countries. However, he said the cost of importation would definitely increase the prices because right now it is very expensive.

Per their website www.toyota.com, a hybrid Camry starts at $9,145, Prius $22,000 and Highlander $27,600.

Even though hybrid cars are more expensive, Ito said they have been getting inquiries regarding hybrid vehicles. “There is a demand,” Ito said, adding they project to sell 50 units per month should Toyota finally decide to sell hybrid vehicles in the country.

“He said there are concrete plans (to bring hybrid vehicles in the Philippines) but it has not yet been finalized.” “The product is not yet ready,” he added.

He said one of the reasons why they haven’t driven on hybrid cars are the road conditions.

Ito said there are a lot of roads here that are not suitable for hybrid cars. He noted that hybrids should not be driven on rough roads.

The climate and temperature must also be considered, he added.