(File photo)
MANILA – Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Friday urged Filipinos to patronize locally assembled vehicles to save the local automotive industry.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), eight vehicle models are being assembled in the country.
Locally assembled vehicles include Toyota’s Vios and Innova models, Mitsubishi’s Mirage and L300 models, and Hyundai Accent.
For the trucks category, Isuzu N-Series light trucks, Hino trucks, and Foton Tornado light trucks are locally assembled.
Lopez made this call after Japanese carmaker Nissan announced to cease its manufacturing operation in the country.
Nissan manufactures its Almera model in its plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“There are car companies manufacturing here. We hope that our fellowmen will patronize these cars that are locally assembled,” the DTI chief said in Filipino in a radio interview.
Aside from Nissan, Honda last year announced that it will stop its manufacturing operation in the country. Isuzu also ended the local production of its D-Max here.
Lopez said the closure of manufacturing facilities of carmakers was affected by the influx of imported cars.
To protect the local auto industry from further serious injury, the DTI has imposed a provisional safeguard measure on imported completely built-up units.
DTI imposes a safeguard measure of PHP70,000 per unit for imported passenger cars and PHP110,000 per unit on imported light commercial vehicles.
The trade remedy will be effective for 200 days. (PNA)
