Norkis mulls exporting hybrid cars to Latin America & Cuba

The Norkis Group is looking at exporting its hybrid pick up car Legacy First and Legacy Van in Latin America and Cuba.

Norkis Group chairman Norberto Quisumbing said the company is receiving inquiries from these two countries for possible export of this product.

The company recently opened the P200 million Legacy plant at Compostela in northern Cebu, in order to provide cheaper yet quality four-wheel vehicle for the mainstream market.

In an interview with Quisumbing, he said that the company's target markets are the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the young professionals.

However, he said while the company will be supplying the growing demand for good quality cars, Norkis is also looking at providing these kinds of products to other third world countries.

The 5,300 square meter Legacy factory is located inside the five-hectare lot of the 150-hectare Norkis complex in barangay Cogon, Compostela.

In the span of three to five years, the company is expecting to increase the production capacity of the plant, from producing 300 units to 500 a month.

Quisumbing said there is a growing market needing cars, not for luxury, but for necessity.

The continued rising cost of fuel also encouraged Norkis to develop alternative fuel for its products called "Nordik", that would save users fuel expenses by 25 percent, Quisumbing said.

Legacy First and Legacy Van are registered with the Board of Investments (BOI), with very high local content, utilizing minimal amount of foreign exchange in the importation of used completely knocked down units (CDK) components of Suzuki and Daihatsu 660 cc, 3 cylinder vehicles from Japan.

Legacy First is a hybrid pickup car crafted from a 660 cc Japanese kei (small) car, accustomed to conventional diesel-powered full-size commercial vehicles. The engine is imported from Japan, while the chassis, parts and body are rebuilt and designed by Norkis.

The development of Legacy First was undertaken by the Norkis Group subsidiary, Porta Coeli Industrial Corporation (PCIC), which is registered by BOI under the Commercial Vehicle Development Program (CVDP).

In the Philippines, and in other developing countries, Legacy First can be an ideal vehicle for the countryside where people are mostly using motorcycles or tricycles, said Buen Jose Delfin, the company's group managing head for marketing.

The Legacy First has two models, the two-door, two-seater pick up and a four-door, four-seater Double Cab pickup.