Toyota PH becomes regional training hub for Asian distributors

Insider Spotlight

• Toyota Motor Asia selected Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) to conduct regional body, paint, and estimation training 
• The first training leg brought body repair instructors from Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Pakistan to TMP’s Santa Rosa, Laguna complex
• The regional program will run until 2029, with TMP scheduled to conduct three training courses in its first year
  
  
  
  

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) is taking on a bigger role in Toyota’s Asian operations after being tapped to serve as a regional training hub for instructors from the automaker’s distributors across the region.

Toyota Motor Asia (TMA) selected TMP to conduct Body, Paint, and Estimation (BPE) regional training on its behalf after a capability assessment recognized the expertise and training leadership of Filipino instructors, along with TMP’s facilities and equipment.

Consistent after-sales skills

The appointment expands the Philippines’ role in Toyota’s regional automotive value chain beyond vehicle manufacturing and distribution, putting Filipino technical instructors in charge of transferring standardized after-sales skills to personnel from other Asian markets.

The program operates under the global direction of Toyota Motor Corp. and is intended to ensure consistent after-sales skills development across markets based on Toyota’s competency standards.

Long-term collaboration

TMP conducted the program’s first leg from Sept. 7 to 18 at its head office and manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. Four body repair instructors from Toyota affiliates in Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Pakistan underwent lectures and practical exercises led by TMP instructors.

Training covered areas including damage assessment, panel repair and welding techniques, according to the program photos and captions. The regional training initiative is scheduled to continue through 2029, establishing a longer-term collaboration between TMP and TMA.

Three training courses

Under the current arrangement, TMP will conduct three training courses during the program’s first year to accommodate participants from Toyota affiliates across Asia.

TMP is also building its own instructors’ credentials. Its BPE team earned two global Toyota certifications from TMA this year covering Paint Instructor Course Step 1 and Estimation Instructor Course Step 1.

Further training is lined up through 2027 for Toyota, Masters and Professional global certifications, supporting continued development of TMP’s BPE training capabilities and domestic after-sales services.

The regional assignment follows another skills milestone for TMP. Its Filipino line team secured six medals at the Toyota 2026 Asia Pacific Skills Contest in August, adding to the company’s push to develop Filipino manufacturing and after-sales expertise for both the Philippine and regional automotive industries. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma