Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda flew to Manila for the 30th anniversary of Toyota Motor Philippines, which ranks among the top 10 in Toyota’s global sales.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Manila. Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda flew in from Europe a day prior for the event and waited with everyone for the arrival of the guest of honor, President Rodrigo Duterte. It was a standing room affair with a few couches for dignitaries and government officials. Guests had been advised to arrive early as part of the protocol and security measures for President Duterte.
It was during the waiting period that Mr. Akio Toyoda took out his cell phone and began to take a few photos. He greeted guests who were introduced to him and gave them his signature stickers in lieu of a calling card. The stickers have an illustration that bears his likeness and include a few words like I like Cars, Safety Drive, and Yoda shaped illustrations of the Toyota emblem with Toyoda spelled underneath.
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Start Your Impossible
One of the stickers that Mr. Akio Toyoda handed out said Start Your Impossible. This is the Toyota tagline, which Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Vice Chairman Alfred Ty spoke of in his brief remarks. “This is the start of TMP’s impossible: bridging what we know we can do, and what we believe we can achieve. With the Customer First philosophy as the driving force, today’s impossible will be tomorrow’s reality.”
Mr. Alfred Ty said that “TMP has never been more dedicated in transporting the Filipino people as we continue to provide ‘always better cars, always better lives.’ …we in Toyota have shifted our mindset from simply dreaming big to reach for the impossible.”
Toyota Motor Philippines joins Toyota’s global campaign to provide “Mobility for All.” Mr. Ty said, “Today, I challenge myself to steer TMP from being a car manufacturer and distributer of vehicles into a mobility provider, combining efforts with our sister institutions and developing strategic partnerships…” He presented the three pillars of Toyota’s global campaign which are: to shift the preference from owning a car to hailing a ride through a mobile phone app; to attain zero emission with the use of environment-friendly vehicles and to move towards autonomous driving technology for a safer driving environment.
Toyota Motor Philippines presented 20 units of the All New Vios and 10 units of the Innova for a total of 30 cars to the Philippine government in commemoration of TMP’s 30th anniversary. President Duterte and members of his cabinet received the Toyota units from Mr. Akio Toyoda, Mr. Alfred Ty and TMP President Satoru Suzuki.
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In Good Hands with Metrobank
Mr. Toyoda addressed the predominantly businessmen guests expressing deep appreciation for positive reception over the last three decades that had established Toyota as number one in the Philippines for 19 consecutive years.
“Our history in the Philippines started in 1961,” he said. “Unfortunately, the partnership met with great difficulties and we had to cease operations. It was a very trying and sad experience for Toyota.
“Once we left, but we are here now, never again to stop our business.” Mr. Akio Toyoda recalled how his father flew here to personally invite Metrobank group Chairman George SK Ty to Toyota City. “Together they created history and made Toyota Motor Philippines what it is today.” When the car market dropped in half during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, he was the Chief Regional Officer. “Those were really difficult times but I fondly recall how, together with Dr. George SK Ty and Mr. Alfred Ty, Toyota’s future would be built by the Philippines’ motorization.
“From around 2010, the speed of the recovery has been incredible. We are really in good hands with Metrobank.”
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Rivalry with Apple, Google, Amazon
The president of Toyota Motor Corporation referenced Alfred Ty’s remarks to lead the way of mobility in the Philippines. “Today, our rivals are companies like Apple or Google or Amazon. What they have all in common is the venture spirit to make the world an even better place for all. I am confident that Toyota’s passion is far greater than any competitors. But we need like-minded partners like Dr. George SK Ty and my father, and Mr. Alfred Ty and me.”
As Mr. Akio Toyoda ended his speech, he said, “As I was flying out to the Philippines yesterday, I found one very important fact about your country. Did you know that the city with the most number of selfies taken in the world is right here in the Philippines? So before I close, I have one request. Can I ask your permission to take a selfie with all of you?” Then he turned around, raised his mobile phone and took a shot with an applauding audience.
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