MANILA, Philippines – In his first week in the Philippines, Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP) President Atsuhiro Okamoto decided to check out the transport options that Filipino commuters have in the country. So, he rode a bus, MRT, UV express, jeep, and even a tricycle to Tondo! This impressed a lot of netizens who couldn’t believe that he would do that himself, and not just ask someone to research it for him!
It turned out that Okamoto wanted to experience what the Filipino riding public undergoes each day, so he and his team at Toyota could find a way to help solve this dilemma.
“During my first week in the Philippines, I decided to do "Genchi Genbutsu," or to “Go and See” the daily struggles of Filipino commuters. I rode a bus, took a round trip of the MRT, rode the jeepney, queued for a long time to ride the UV Express, and lastly, took a tricycle ride to Tondo!” he wrote on his official Facebook page, TMP President's Office / Hiro Okamoto.
“For me, it's a good learning experience. I realize that unlike Japan or Singapore, the Philippines’ current mass transport system is not enough to accommodate the huge number of daily commuters. I would like Toyota to take part in this big challenge to upgrade the quality of life for many Filipinos.”
When was the last time you saw a company president or even a government official taking public transport (particularly a trike to Tondo!) without any hidden agenda, no huge media backup, and not within the campaign period?
Okamoto did not specify how he and the company will help change the way Filipinos commute. But many believe that this has something to do with the new business model called “car usership”, as opposed to “car ownership”, that the company launched last year.
(Image credits: TMP President's Office / Hiro Okamoto)
— The Summit Express
It turned out that Okamoto wanted to experience what the Filipino riding public undergoes each day, so he and his team at Toyota could find a way to help solve this dilemma.
“For me, it's a good learning experience. I realize that unlike Japan or Singapore, the Philippines’ current mass transport system is not enough to accommodate the huge number of daily commuters. I would like Toyota to take part in this big challenge to upgrade the quality of life for many Filipinos.”
Okamoto did not specify how he and the company will help change the way Filipinos commute. But many believe that this has something to do with the new business model called “car usership”, as opposed to “car ownership”, that the company launched last year.
(Image credits: TMP President's Office / Hiro Okamoto)
— The Summit Express
