DTI in talks with 2 carmakers for Evis perks
At least two car manufacturers are already lining up for the government’s planned incentives program for electric vehicle (EV) production, a top trade official said, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) moves to finalize the scheme.
Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said in a message to reporters that, aside from Mitsubishi Motors Corp., another automaker has signaled interest in the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (Evis).
Rodolfo declined to identify the second prospective investor.
However, market leader Toyota Motor Philippines earlier said it was open to joining the program, while noting that any participation would require careful planning.
Rodolfo said carmakers were “seriously interested” in the scheme, with discussions ongoing.
“We cannot confirm yet the numbers as specific details of the Evis are being finalized—including subsidy support,” he said in a Viber message on Friday.
“But what we can confirm [is] that there had been consultations—including on the package support (amount and number of players)—to gauge what level would really be needed by investors,” he added.
Evis is the successor to the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (Cars) program, the P27-billion incentives scheme launched in 2015 to support local vehicle production.
Under Cars, participating firms were eligible for up to P9 billion in incentives if they produced at least 200,000 units between 2018 and 2024.
Two firms enrolled for Cars: Toyota Motor Philippines, which fielded its best-selling Vios subcompact sedan, and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., which entered its Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 sedan.
Guidelines out by H1
For Evis, Rodolfo said the DTI was targeting the release of implementing guidelines and a corresponding executive order from President Marcos within the first half of the year.
This rollout follows the government’s decision to designate Evis as its next flagship automotive incentives program, replacing the proposed Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (Race) program.
Race, a P9-billion program, was designed to provide up to P3 billion in fiscal incentives to carmakers committing to produce 100,000 units of internal combustion engine vehicles. It was initially set up as the offshoot of the Cars program.
Evis incentives are expected to go beyond tax payment certificates after the DTI secured clarification from the Department of Justice that the new scheme does not need to mirror its predecessor.
This came after the Fiscal Incentives Review Board sought guidance on whether Evis could tap other forms of incentives, including tax credit certificates.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque earlier said prioritizing Evis over Race signals the government’s shift toward electrified transport.
“We want investors who are going to make EVs here in the Philippines, so we give them incentives,” she said.
