The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), the industry development and investments promotion arm of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Philippine Parts Maker Association (PPMA), is presenting the 1st Philippine Auto Parts Expo (PhilAPEX) from October 12-13 at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

The PhilAPEX will showcase the country’s local auto parts manufacturing capabilities, present the gains from the two Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program Participating Car Makers’ (PCMs) implementation of their respective investment plans, and provide the opportunity for a business-to-business networking amongst part makers and vehicle manufacturers.

The PhilAPEX is the first major event highlighting the gains of the CARS Program. The CARS Program is responsible for the initial Php7.5 billion worth of investments by the PCMs Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation and Toyota Motors Philippines Corporation, Php1.6 billion worth of new investments from auto part makers, and the estimated additional 14,000 jobs for the Filipinos.

Under the theme “Gawang Pilipino, Para sa Pilipino”, the expo will showcase the capability of the local parts making sector. Exhibitors will include auto part makers, while the two PCMs – Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation and Toyota Motors Corporation – will present the status of their respective CARS projects. Prospective eco-PUV Program participants will exhibit some 16 eco-PUV prototypes.

Additionally, PhilAPEX will feature the locally-developed eco-PUV prototypes for the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) PUV Modernization Program. This follows the DTI’s earlier announcement that the CARS’ third slot budget will be shifted to eco-PUV manufacturing, among others, to jumpstart the development of the Philippine commercial vehicle (CV) sector. ♦