September 21, 2007 -- Efforts of domestic auto parts makers to mass produce a low-priced utility vehicle got a boost after the Philippine Die and Mold Association committed to contribute skills and resources to the program. Ferdinand Raquelsantos, director of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, said the PDMA's interest in the Philippine Utility Vehicle started when it saw the prototype displayed in a recent exhibition.
The PDMA groups together about 70 companies involved in metalwork and related equipment, including dies, molds, machine tools, sheet metal and metalworking machinery, equipment, tools, accessories and hardware.
Raquelsantos said the MVPMAP displayed the PhUV in the 2007 PDMA Exhibition and Conference held Aug. 22-25 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Raquelsantos, who also heads MVPMAP's PhUV technical working group, said PDMA officials were looking into what molds, dies, tools, equipment and hardware PDMA members could develop for the PhUV if it went into mass production.
"This support, especially in die and mold development, would increase the quality of the component parts and increase the productivity of the manufacturing process," Raquelsantos said.
"This joint effort of both associations to make better quality parts at a faster rate [brings us closer to our goal of building a vehicle with at least 60-percent local content]," he added. "Hopefully, together, we can develop and localize more parts for the PhUV so that we can lessen our dependence on imported parts."
MVPMAP launched the PhUV prototype in June, which it designed, developed and built despite limited resources.
The group's goal is to mass produce locally a utility vehicle with a high level of value-added local parts and labor to help liven up the local parts making industry.
Raquelsantos said MVPMAP members were reeling from effects of decreasing production because of increased importation of brand-new, completely built-up motor vehicles relative to the assembly of completely knocked-down kits.
MVPMAP also blames the unabated importation of used vehicles despite prohibition by law.
"Most of our members are currently operating at only 40 percent of plant capacity and some have closed shop," Raquelsantos said.
"The 50,000 direct workers dependent on the local parts making industry are pinning their hopes on the PhUV to be their vehicle to recovery," he added.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
