Proposed law wants gov’t to buy only Pinoy-made vehicles

Agencies must buy local

In an effort to help the economy bounce back from the ravages of COVID-19, Senator Risa Hontiveros has recently filed Senate Bill (SB) 2339, or the Domestic Vehicle Act of 2021.

As the name implies, SB 2339 will make it mandatory for government agencies to buy only “Pinoy made” vehicles or those vehicles that were manufactured or assembled here in the country.

According to the senator, in 2019 alone, the government procured 16,443 new vehicles for its fleet, which cost the Filipino taxpayers an estimated PhP 8-billion. Basing on those figures, Sen. Hontiveros added that government purchases of new vehicles can produce an additional economic output of about PhP 14-billion, due to multiplier effects, and an additional 14,000 new jobs.

What motorcycles are Pinoy-made?

If HB 2339 becomes a law, government procurement of vehicles may not be limited to 4-wheel vehicles only, but may also include motorcycles. “In all public procurement involving the purchase of motor vehicles, the government shall be required to procure only those manufactured domestically...” says Section 4 of the proposed law.

If that’s the case, there are plenty of Pinoy-assembled motorcycles the government can procure. We list some of them below:

Suzuki

Suzuki assembles many of its models at their Canlubang, Laguna facility. These are: Raider R150 (carbureted and FI), Gixxer 150, Smash 110, Raider J (Crossover and regular version), and the Burgman Street 125.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation, with its assembly plant located in Muntinlupa City, also manufactures quite a number of motorcycles here in the country, namely: the Barako 175, CT (100cc,125cc and 150cc models), Rouser (125, 200, 200NS, 200RS, and 160NS).

Honda

Honda assembles some of the more affordable motorcycles in their lineup at their Batangas facility. These are: XRM 125, TMX (Alpha and Supremo), RS 125, Wave 110, and the BeAT 110.

Yamaha

Yamaha Motor Philippines, also assembles some of its motorcycle models here in the country. In 2019, Yamaha PH expanded its Batangas facility to accommodate the production of the NMax and Aerox 155 scooters.

KTM

Just recently, KTM Philippines reported that they are expecting to reach the 30,000 motorcycle milestone at their Santa Rosa, Laguna facility by the end of this year. This milestone was achieved after only a few years since the facility produced its first PH-made KTM motorcycle back in 2016.

To date, KTM PH produces the Duke 200/390 and RC 200/390 and big bikes 390 Adventure, 790 Adventure, 790 Adventure R, and the 790 Duke. Husqvarna's Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 200/ 401 are also assembled here in the country.