Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced it would participate in the CARS Program (Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy Program) in the Philippines.
Once its application is approved, MMC would expand local assembly in the country by starting production of the Mirage and Mirage G4 (Attrage in some markets) from the beginning of 2017 at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation's Santa Rosa plant.
Operations began there in January 2015 after MMC bought the factory from Ford. The automaker last December said it would boost 2016 output by 17% to meet expected extra demand prompted by local elections this coming May. The plant move in 2015 reduced the year's output 15% to about 15,000 but this year's forecast production is 17,500.
As well as adding the two new models, MMC plans an initial spend at MMPC of over PHP4.3bn (JPY10.4bn) which includes a new stamping plant. Spending and employment will rise in line with production capacity expansion – initial target is 50,000 units.
MMC chairman and CEO Osamu Masuko said at a press conference in Manila: "Mitsubishi Motors has been engaged in production and sales business in the Philippines for over 50 years. The Philippines is one of the most important markets for us."
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