MANILA, Philippines – Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP) rolled out on Thursday, November 28, the first units of the Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw made in its factory in Santa Rosa, Laguna, south of the country’s capital. 

TMP Chairman Alfred Ty announced in a speech during the “roll-off ceremony” a “target starting price” of “below P800,000” for the short-wheelbase, drop-side gas variant (see photo below), saying the Filipino-Japanese company is “committed to making this vehicle accessible and affordable to Filipinos.” 

Such a price would make it competitive and prompt other manufactuers, such as rival Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, to adjust the prices of the L300, also a popular brand. The Mitsubishi L300 Cab and Chassis 2.2 Diesel manual costs from P825,000.

The new units of the Next Gen Toyota Tamaraw will be available to buyers starting January 2025, with the “grand launch” scheduled on December 6 in eight malls around the country.

The son of the late tycoon George Ty said TMP had invested P5.5 billion to produce the new version of the beloved Philippine brand, including a new 1.5-hectare TMP Conversion Factory in Santa Rosa, so it can produce around 22,000 units yearly. This translates to a production capacity of over 1,800 units per month.

The TMP Conversion Facility can convert the Tamaraw into three body styles: dropside, utility van, and aluminum van — with gas and diesel engine options. 

“I am incredibly proud of the highly-skilled Team Members who work passionately to produce world-class vehicles here in the Philippines — the Vios, Innova, and now, the Next Generation Tamaraw,” Ty said. 

“Together, we will continue to banner the ‘Galing ng Gawang Pilipino, Para Sa Pilipino (Filipino workmanship excellence for the Filipino).”  

He said the history of the Toyota Tamaraw in the Philippines goes back nearly 50 years or in December 1976, the year when the Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) was first introduced. The high-side pickup with roof (see photo above) had a 1.2 liter 3K engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. 

This was followed, he said, by the second generation Tamaraw in the early 1980s which became known as “Super Diesels” earning the reputation of “Singkisig ng kotse, singtatag ng truck (As elegant as a car, as tough as a truck).”

In 1993, it introduced the third-generation Tamaraw FX wagon “Wonder Vehicle,” the launch of which was heralded by Darna, Ty said, referring to the Filipina folklore female hero.

“It saw the Tamaraw evolve into a wagon that gained for it an epic reputation as a people mover. The name Tamaraw or FX became part of the local vernacular, interchangeably used to refer to point-to-point public transport,” he said. 

TMP then came up with the Toyota Tamaraw REVO, which “elevated the luxury, comfort and elegance of the Tamaraw.”

In 2005, however, Ty said the Tamaraw production was suspended to give way to the Toyota Innova, which is part of Toyota Motors’ International Multi-Purpose Vehicle 0 or IMV0 project. 

TMP Asia Deputy CEO Hao Quoc Tien, in his speech, said the IMV0 project opens “exciting possibilities for diversifying our products in Asia.”

“The mobility needs of this region are unique, and the IMV0 development builds on the strong heritage of the IMV0 line in Asia. I have great confidence that the Tamaraw will be a resounding success in the Philippines, truly a game-changer, and will meet the evolving demands of our customers and strengthening further our footprint in this market,” Hao said. 

He noted the Philippines’ young workforce and its growing economy as factors that would push the “momentum in motorization.” 

TMP first presented the Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last October. – Rappler.com