Say No to Import, Philippine to have Locally Made 2016 Toyota Innova

MANILA: Yes, you read it right. If not manufactured locally, Philippines would have to import the all-new Toyota Innova from foreign lands where it would be manufactured and then sailed for sale here. But the recent move by Toyota Philippines has cut short the period of delivery, as from now on we’ll be having our very own 2016 Toyota Innova manufacturing plant. This Made in Philippines Innova will be manufactured at the Santa Rosa plant in Laguna, the same plant that till date served as the building unit for Toyota Vios and previous generation Innova.

The announcement was made by Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) late in the evening, the previous date. Also, the announcement didn’t come out much as a shock to the auto industry, as the previous generation Innova was manufactured locally. And for a plant that is tuned to manufacture the most selling MPV in the country, it won’t be difficult for it to adapt to changes made in the all-new Innova. Plus, someone has to fill the empty space that is now be created after the end of old Innova life-cycle.

As for the changes (old vs new Innova) that Santa Rosa plant would now have to adhere into building the new Innova, below we have mentioned few guidelines –

• Firstly, the 2016 Innova is bigger than its elder sibling, gaining 150 mm in length, 55 mm in width and 35 mm in height.
• Secondly, the new Innova is offered in as many as four trims. The base one called J, mid-level E, one below the top G and lastly top of the line V.
• Thirdly, the changes on the exterior include – new grille, longer wraparound LED headlight with daytime running lights, pinched third-row window, 16-inch alloy wheels (except for J trim), re-styled taillight, and new roof spoiler with an integrated spoiler.
• Fourth, cabin changes are endless and now includes many up-market features like illuminated dual gauge cluster, high-quality upholstery, more cupholders and storage compartments, seatback, table (G & V trim) and standard touch screen across all variants.
• Fifth, on the engine front the 2016 Toyota Innova has retained the gasoline powered 2.0L TR mill generating 136 PS and 183 Nm. As an addition, it will get a detuned 2.8L GD turbodiesel mill with 171 PS of power and 360 Nm of torque rating.
• Sixth, safety specs are now improved with top trim getting safety gears like Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control. Also, G and V variants get a total of seven airbags including side and curtain ones, while the J and E trim gets an additional driver and passenger knee airbag.

How is it good for the economy?

Well, any day local manufacturing is bliss for a country over importing. It contributes to the overall nation building process by the way of generating employment, human resource, better infrastructure and what not. Toyota Philippines have contributed bulk in the said field; it has summated over 200 billion Pesos in the form of taxes and duties and created over 47,000 jobs locally.

Also Read:  Know How 2016 Toyota Vios Different From its Older Version