Philippine is becoming a hub for motorcycle production
The Philippines is becoming a motorcycle production hub in the region with local producers, the latest of which is Honda Philippines Inc., now exporting locally made units, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said.
“Honda will start exporting its motorcycles to New Zealand this quarter,” Lopez announced at the Security Bank’s 2021 Economic Forum The Future of the Philippine Manufacturing Industry on the future of motorcycle manufacturing in the country as he cited the growing number of foreign motorcycle producers in the Philippines.
Other recent developments in the industry include Yamaha’s expansion in Batangas to produce new models in the country creating 1,000 more jobs.
Other expansions by local producers include the Ayala-led KTM operation for the assembly of big bikes for the domestic market, as well as export to China and other ASEAN countries.
Today, Lopez said, there are about four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and assemblers.
In addition, there are about 12 from China, and one European.
Based on DTI monitoring, Lopez said the domestic motorcycle industry grew by 22 percent as of January 2021 compared to the previous year.
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Manila Office Investment and EPA Advisor Tomohiro Ando cite the huge Philippine market for motorcycles of more than 2 million units annually as unique in the world.
Meantime, Lopez said that DTI has been courting the big guys in the manufacturing sector to consider the Philippines if not set up research and development.
This is the reason for the DTI’s push to make the Philippines also an AI Center for Excellence and R&D capabilities so that “We can really attract all those big companies to do more high value adding services.
Via Manila Bulletin