Arroyo hopes to import Dongfeng cars quickly

Shanghai, October 27 (Gasgoo.com) During her visit to Hubei on October 23, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo she hoped her country can import low-end and mid-range cars produced by China’s Dongfeng Motor Company as soon as possible, xinhuanet.com said last Saturday.

On her meeting with chief executives of Dongfeng Motor, Arroyo said it is still difficult for low-income families in the Philippines to buy expensive cars now, so the government expected to import all-new cars that apply to this group. The low-end and mid-range cars produced by Dongfeng Motor Company will find a huge market in the Philippines.

To import cars that low-income families can afford will solve car buying difficulties faced by the Philippine people and also be effective to prevent importing used cars as well as offer more job opportunities for unemployed people, Arroyo said.

Arroyo praised Hubei’s superiority in automobile manufacturing and also expressed her hope for Hubei automakers to source auto parts in the Philippines.

Dong Dongcheng, vice general manager of Dongfeng Motor confirmed the plan to export complete vehicles to the Philippines and announced the company will have further talks with the Philippine Chinese Business Association for in-depth cooperation. “We sincerely hope the Philippine government can issue additional policies related to auto industry to facilitate our cooperation,” Dong said.

It is reported that the Philippine auto market was flooded with cheap imported used cars in recent years, which led to slowdown of the Philippine auto industry. The Philippine government has imposed restrictions on imported used cars and gave credit tax for new vehicles to boost the domestic auto industry.