Toyota partners with DLSU in hybrid car information drive

The Toyota Prius leads the carmaker’s thrust in hybrid technology.

A PARTNERSHIP aiming to educate students on the merits of hybrid vehicle technology was sealed between Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) and De La Salle University (DLSU). The carmaker said the move boosts its efforts in bringing vehicle electrification into the country.

De La Salle University Mechanical Engineering vice chairman Neil Lopez (third left) and Toyota Motor Philippines first vice president Ma. Cristina Arevalo (third from right) open the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Campus Tour at the university’s Taft Avenue campus.

TMP held the second leg of its Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Campus Tour in DLSU’s Manila campus as part of the alliance. The first leg of the campus tour took place in Mapua University.

TMP said students and faculty members attended a seminar focusing on the environmental benefits of Toyota hybrid technology. Conducting the seminar were Toyota hybrid experts. A forum was also held to clear common misconceptions about HEVs.

TMP displayed the Toyota Prius at the event.

“Our continuous activities on HEVs are geared towards the youth because they are the ones who will benefit most from this technology. With enough support and proper implementation, the untapped potential of hybrids can improve our transportation systems and our environment in the long run,” said TMP first vice president Ma. Cristina Arevalo.

TMP said it is firm on its stance that HEVs are the ideal transition phase for a greener and more energy-efficient automotive landscape.

TMP in May held the Toyota Hybrid Electric Technology Conference attended by representatives from government, academe and environmental organizations.

Students attending the seminar.

The company said it is looking to bring electrified versions of Toyota’s existing models into the Philippines. The direction is aligned with the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, which is aimed at eliminating the company’s carbon emissions by the next three decades.

“TMP is well on its way to introducing various technologies and features available in other countries, such as the Hybrid Synergy Drive for fuel efficiency and Toyota Safety Sense for human safety,” Arevalo said.