GT Capital: Toyota’s Next Generation Tamaraw a Game Changer

​GT Capital Holdings, Inc. (GT Capital) welcomes the much-anticipated grand launch of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP)'s Next Generation Tamaraw, describing the new model as a game changer in the Philippine automotive space.

On Friday, December 6, TMP unveiled the Next Generation Tamaraw to the public in a nationwide launch held at various locations in Metro Manila, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu City, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro City. The numerous conversion options of the Tamaraw were displayed, showcasing the vehicles‟ versatility to meet the personal and commercial needs of its customers.

GT Capital, a joint venture partner of Toyota Motor Corporation and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. in TMP, expressed confidence that the Tamaraw will be a valuable addition to its automotive arm‟s diverse vehicle line-up, and will help boost the growth of the country‟s local automotive sector and the economy in general.

“The Next Generation Tamaraw sets a new benchmark in the Philippine automotive industry. With its numerous customization options, we expect this to make mobility solutions even more inclusive and accessible to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises from across a wide range of industries,” GT Capital Auto & Mobility Holdings, Inc. (GTCAM) Chairman Vince S. Socco said.

“As importantly, the Tamaraw will be the third model that is locally produced at TMP‟s Santa Rosa factory, allowing TMP and GT Capital to enhance its contribution to nation building through increased employment, technology transfer, a P5.5 billion investment and increased payments of taxes and duties to the government. As of October this year, TMP has remitted almost P30 billion to the government while sustaining almost 70,000 jobs for Filipinos directly and through its network of suppliers, dealers, affiliates and business partners,” he added.

The new model, a revival of the iconic „Tamaraw‟ nameplate, is based on Toyota‟s global International Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) platform. The new TMP Conversion Factory located at the automotive company‟s Sta. Rosa plant has the capability to build three Tamaraw rear-body types – dropside, utility van and aluminum van – with both gas and diesel engine options. In fact, the Philippines is only one of two production bases for the IMV-0 – or Tamaraw – in Toyota‟s global supply chain, the other being Thailand.

“It truly is a game changer. We are confident that the Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw will help propel TMP and GT Capital forward,” Socco noted.

GT Capital is a major listed Philippine conglomerate with interests in market-leading businesses across banking, automotive assembly, importation, dealership, and financing, property development, life and general insurance, and infrastructure. Its core operating companies are Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, Federal Land, Inc., AXA Philippines Life and General Insurance Corporation (AXA Philippines), and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).