Full text of TMP Chairman Alfred Ty’s speech
Good evening and Welcome to the 35th-year anniversary of Toyota Motor Philippines. Actually, I and Chairman Akio Toyoda just came from Santa Rosa where we had the honor of receiving President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for a visit to our Toyota Santa Rosa Factory―the home of the Toyota Vios and Innova assembly lines and Toyota Aisin’s transmission manufacturing factory. We sincerely thank the President for taking the time to visit us.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me thank you all for accepting our invitation today. We are sincerely grateful for the gift of your time and for being a meaningful part of our history.
Our celebration of our 35th anniversary this year is extra special for me. This year, I received a special loyalty award from TMP in recognition of my 30 years of service. It has really been a very exciting three decades.
Allow me to express my special thanks to the Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, Mr. Akio Toyoda, for joining us this evening. Akio-san, you have always been a very strong beacon of hope and inspiration especially during the covid years. Indeed, you bring light when it is needed most. Maraming salamat po. Arigatou gozaimashita. Thank you for coming. Welcome to this very special evening and welcome to the Grand Hyatt.
Indeed, we are extremely thankful for all the milestones of the past 35 years. And, as exciting as the future might be, we recognize that much of what is yet to come is inspired by the past 35 years. Where do I start?
Well, we began as a humble start-up back in 1988. Frankly, my father and TMP founding Chair―Dr. George Ty―was concerned about how we could contribute to our partnership with Toyota since we had no experience in the automotive field. But this did not stop us. We took up the challenge and the rest, as they say, is history.
From a start-up team of about 20 people, TMP is now close to 4,000-strong. As of mid-year 2023, we have locally produced 1.03 million units, delivered a cumulative total of 2.24 million units to Filipino homes all across the country.
In terms of contributing to the economy, TMP and the Toyota Group have cumulatively invested PHP 73.7 billion (since 2000), paid duties and taxes of PHP 448 billion and exported USD 18.76 billion-worth of auto parts and components (since 1997).
All these milestones could have only been possible because of your support. On behalf of the over 71,000 members in the entire Team Toyota Philippines eco-system―in TMP, our suppliers, dealers and business partners―I would like to sincerely thank all of you.
It has been widely reported on social media how Akio-san brought back the love of cars and the love of driving to Toyota and Lexus. He really loves to drive. His passion is absolutely contagious. It is this passion that motivates us to experience driving each of our models that, in turn, nurtures the Toyota philosophy of always building ever better cars. Thank you, Chairman Akio for continuing to inspire us and for fueling our own passion for driving. Yes, Filipinos love to drive and feel the thrill and freedom of mobility… of course, within allowable speed limits.
In fact, to encourage our members to transition from “stay at home” to “back to the workplace,” we used this very spirit of “FUN TO DRIVE.” It was at the core of our efforts to restart and reenergize our operations post-covid.
Today, on behalf of over 2 million Toyota owners in the Philippines, I want to say to Akio-san, please keep those amazing Toyotas and Lexuses coming and keep showing us the FUN of driving!
The future of mobility that we celebrate today is really very exciting. Toyota’s roadmap to a cleaner, carbon neutral world includes multiple pathways. We believe it begins with hybrid electric vehicles that are fun-to-drive yet helpful in reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency, without the need for a charging infrastructure network. In time, as readiness for full battery electric alternatives matures and car users are more prepared to adapt these new technologies, we will be there for you. Our mission is to provide mobility for all Filipinos based on what fits your needs and your circumstances.
No doubt, electrification is the way to the future. In fact, I am encouraged by the moves of the government to enable a more rapid pace of adoption.
I still cannot believe that it has already been 35 years since TMP started operations. When we opened, TMP committed to a vision of not only building cars but also helping build a nation. Today, as my father did 35 years ago, I am delighted to renew that commitment.
In pursuit of our vision, TMP remains committed to supporting local manufacturing through our partnership with local parts makers, other industry players and, of course, the government. We are also committed to transitioning into a mobility company that aims to meet the rapidly evolving vehicle usage needs of Filipinos including commuters, logistics providers and small and medium businesses through auto leasing programs and digital connected services.
As well, we are constantly on the lookout for new paths and opportunities to harness the strengths of the nation. As you may know, a single car is no longer simply made of physical parts alone. Today, the advancements in microcomputing make software an ever more critical differentiator. As the automotive industry moves towards a higher level of connectivity, operating software is integral to the development and usage of vehicles.
In this regard, we are in discussion to seriously study how we can utilize our large talent base of Filipino IT specialists in developing user applications and mobility software services that are essential to the emerging new generation of cars globally. This will potentially allow us to elevate the value of the Philippines to a higher level in the global automotive supply chain. We are truly excited about this prospect.
In a little while, Chairman Akio will do the honors of introducing to us the Next Generation Tamaraw. I would like to thank Mr. Toyoda for green lighting the investment for the local production of the Next Generation Tamaraw here in the Philippines with thanks, as well, to the Philippine government for their support to revitalize the local automotive manufacturing industry. Chairman Akio confirmed this investment when we met President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Japan earlier in the year.
The Next Generation Tamaraw represents a whole new range of mobility solutions that will enable Filipinos to move their lives forward. It will enable new levels of flexibility for users, especially our MSMEs.
Ladies and gentlemen, 35 years ago, the late Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, then President of Toyota Motor Corporation invited my father, the late Dr. George S.K. Ty to be a partner in the establishment of Toyota Motor Philippines, a company WHOLLY COMMITTED to improving the lives of Filipinos through the business of manufacturing and selling automobiles. It was a partnership founded on the shared philosophies of mutual trust, understanding, and respect for people.
Today, Dr. Toyoda and Dr. Ty are no longer with us. So tonight, on behalf of Mr. Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, and myself we renew the promise of our fathers to be of service to the Filipino nation―to persist in building ever better cars, continue creating mobility for all and keep winning the smile of every Filipino.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. Maraming salamat po. Please enjoy the rest of the evening.
