In a virtual briefing held with trade reporters Thursday, January 28, Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director Atsushi Najima said the Japanese automaker will march forward with their plans to introduce its hatchback battery e-vehicle Nissan Leaf by this year in the Philippines.
This despite Nissan deciding to close its manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna where they assembled its Almera model.
Najima said the ceasing of manufacturing operations in the Philippines is in line with the supply chain strategy of Nissan headquarters.
“We will still continue… Also, we have talked to our customers already so we have to go with Leaf introduction in the Philippines this calendar year,” he said.
Further, Najima said Nissan plans to target three potential customers for the Leaf model, namely tech-savvy individuals, energy efficiency-conscious companies, and the government.
The Department of Energy has called on public offices to observe energy efficiency and conservation—cutting fuel consumption and using e-vehicles are strategic ways to save energy.
Additionally, Najima asked for government support for e-vehicle players in the country, detailing that import duties of gas- and diesel-engine vehicles are lower compared to e-vehicles. “That’s why we are asking if we can get government support. That is what we are working with some of the government agencies (and) senators,” he added.
