Yet another legend is returning to the PH. At least that’s Toyota’s plan for the Tamaraw, according to the Presidential Communications Office. In a recent meeting with manufacturer executives, it was said that the return of what was once a staple model on PH roads is in the pipe. The question is when it will come back.
PBBM welcomes the plan to bring the Toyota Tamaraw back to PH
Photo: PCO
PBBM’s Japan trip is bringing some quite surprising news for the automotive industry. The Tamaraw has long been phased out but it seems that it may well be on its way to being revived and a return to the country may be imminent. The President had a meeting with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) executives that included President and soon-to-be Chairman Akio Toyoda himself, and that is where the idea came to light.
Describing it as a “workhorse”, PBBM was quoted as saying “Many of the Tamaraws you’ve recently built are still on the road.” In a seeming response, the manufacturer responded, albeit not in exact terms, that TMC has plans to bring the Tamaraw back into the PH market.
Photo: PCO
This particular mention of plans further solidifies the possibility of the “legendary” people carrier’s return. A quote from the Presidential Communications Office reads as follows:
“Ikinalugod ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang plano ng Toyota Motors Corporation na muling ibalik ang Tamaraw model sa merkado ng bansa. Ibinahagi din ng Pangulo na ang Tamaraw ay isa sa pinakakilalang modelo ng sasakyan sa Pilipinas. Nagpahayag naman ng suporta ang Toyota sa mga plano ng administrasyon sa pagpapaluwag ng pagnenegosyo para sa mga kumpanyang nais magnegosyo sa bansa.”
[President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pleased with the plans of Toyota Motors Corporation to bring the Tamaraw model back into the Philippine market. The president shared that the Tamaraw is one of the most popular vehicle models in the country. Toyota has also expressed its support for the administration’s plans to ease the process for companies who wish to do business in the country.]
Photo: Toyota
The question now is “how?”.
As we’ve mentioned, the model has been phased out for a long time now. Despite its being replaced in the Philippines by the equally popular Innova, the “Tamaraw” name still exists in the Indonesian market. With the comeback of the Liteace 45 that Toyota Motor Philippines held last year, it might not be as difficult to stage another model’s return.
But now we ask how it will be adapted to be current, and modern. With a lot of diesel restrictions and concerns, plus the advent of newer materials and much better technologies, how will the new Tamaraw be packaged? From its single-row front seats with a rear bench seat design to the 10-seater “FX”, will it resemble the Innova? Or will Toyota give it a more distinct look and treatment that befits its well-known stature?
This is quite the development, and it’s something that many of us are undoubtedly excited to follow. Let’s all hope that more news starts coming in from Toyota itself. We confess ourselves as curious, and excited.
Dapat Lang ibalik ang Tamaraw sa pilipinas pero Mas maganda at dikalidad ang model at katulad ng Lumabas na Tamaraw dapat kasi g hawig din sa 2.0 na diesel na talagang pamalakasas sa kalsada..
Sana po gumanda tamaraw fx ko
Balik niyo rewind version ng tamaraw Pero special modern features. I hate matic…its for snowflakes
I love that car
Sana may automatic na
Yes agree on this plan welcome back Tamaraw FX love it.
We welcome the return of fx in the market it’s proven but of course with new inovation spacially the body built
Yes i support Toyota tamaraw fx
Sana adorable 😄
Very nice decisions.