INDONESIAN CAR INDUSTRY AND THE PHILIPPINES

Then-mayor of Solo Joko Widodo poses with a locally made Esemka car in this February 25, 2012 

The information about the Indonesian car industry that is taking off runs smack against the stature of the Philippines who defies onshore and National brand of Filipino car that should become the pillar of our economy. The development of the car industry in Indonesia in its willingness to put up and liberate itself from its dependence from Japanese made cars  is a sign that they want to rake benefits from the industry and harvest its effects of employment, and the spur  commercial activities in their country.

From many experiences in the social media in the advocacy of car industry by the super Pilipinas, a variety of opinion speaks about our inability and incapability to engage using the excuse that we don't have the know how and technology. The opinion is an unacceptable admission that we are hopeless in the front of technology and heavier industries that would liberate us also from the onslaught of car products from Japan.

Indonesia has already overtaken us in many fronts of industry primarily in car making that they had already accomplished. The Philippines had not yet engaged properly in car industry that the investments of Mitsubishi, Toyota, among others are just assembly plants of knocked down parts from Japan. The aim of national brand of Filipino Car is not yet in the drawing board (not sure if the government has started), and Indonesia is already far ahead.

The Jeepney Modernization program is a very good excuse under this car manufacturing plants to get off the ground. The phase out of Jeepney that wil be relpaced by new, safe, and modern vehicles are just the right timing to bring the matter up for resolution or legislation by Congress. The intervention of Congress is critical due to the project will entail huge subsidy and funding by the government and the manufacture of new jeepney cars will require manufacturing onshore of 100 percent filipino brand.

The information of subsidy by the government in the jeepney phase out amounting to 27 billion is something that will kick start car manufacturing in the country.


The Editorial of the Indonesian car manufactruing