Ford eyes RP as export hub for SUV line

MANILA, Philippines –  Ford Motor Co. Philippines (FMCP) is looking at making the country its export hub for either its sports utility vehicle (SUV) or pick-up model.

An industry insider who spoke under the condition of anonymity said that Ford would like to start assembling a new model in its Laguna plant.

Currently, Ford produces Mazda 3, Ford Focus and Escape in the country. These units are also being exported. However, Ford has started building a manufacturing plant in Thailand which will make the new generation Focus.

To replace this, the source said that Ford is looking at making an SUV or a pick up here in the Philippines.

The Board of Investments (BOI) has been convincing Ford to put in additional models in their plant.

“Everyone at FMCP is proud to continue building on the success of our export program here in the Philippines, and passing the 75,000th unit milestone is a significant achievement for all of us,” said FGP president Randy Krieger. “The continued export demand for the Ford and Mazda vehicles from our Santa Rosa facility is driven by the world-class quality and safety that our Filipino workforce delivers, and an ongoing commitment to excellence.”

Exports this year have accounted for roughly half of FMCP’s total production volume, worth an export value of more than $950 million. The firm recently celebrated the 75,000th vehicle manufactured for export from its Santa Rosa manufacturing facility. The milestone was reached with a new Ford Focus that was part the latest batch of exports bound for ASEAN markets.

As the first and only volume exporter of vehicles from the Philippines, FMCP has supplied the Ford Focus, Ford Escape and Mazda3 to ASEAN markets that include Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia since 2002.

Earlier, the government said it will cut in half the export requirement in the Auto Export Program in an attempt to encourage more local manufacturers to sell completely build up (CBU) units overseas.

?We are looking at cutting in half the quota in the export plan,? BOI Managing Head Cristino L. Panlilio told reporters. Firms must be able to export 10,000 units in order to avail of the incentives.

Panlilio said the government decided to review the Auto Export Program and reduce the quota to only 5,000 units.