One of the most popular vehicles in the Philippines has been announced to return soon to the market.
In an interview, Toyota Motor Philippines president Atsuhiro Okamoto revealed that they were planning to create a modern version of the Tamaraw model in the Philippines.
According to Okamoto, they’re investing P4.4-B so the Philippines could produce local version of Tamaraw.
“We were committed to invest the P4.4 billion for light commercial vehicle — LCV, that’s called in Toyota IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle)-zero project, like do you know the Tamaraw in the past?” Okamato said.
“It’s the new generation Tamaraw project. We will enter this in the IMV-zero in the near future. Of course local production, manufacturing… in Santa Rosa (Laguna),” he added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos praised the plan of Toyota Philippines, saying that the said model had a good reputation in the country.
“We have always been appreciative of the involvement of Toyota in the Philippines over so many years. I think the mutual experience between Toyota and the Philippines… has been a good one and a partnership we can look to as a success.” the President said.
It can be recalled that the Tamaraw model is one of the most popular vehicles in the country during the 1980s to 1990s.
The said model became popular for being spacious and reliable.
Because of its quality, some Tamaraw can still be spotted in some places in the country including Baguio City where it was being used as a PUV.