President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (standing, center) witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. of the Ayala Group and California-based Zero Motorcycles on a partnership to manufacture electric motorcycles. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
WASHINGTON, DC, United States — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) witnessed the signing of a deal between US and Philippine-based firms to partner in manufacturing electric motorcycles.
The Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) of the Ayala Group and California-based Zero Motorcycles signed a memorandum of agreement for a partnership to manufacture electric motorcycles, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
Under the partnership, the US-based firm will lead the way in setting up the first electronic vehicle (EV) motorcycle manufacturing site in the Philippines.
IMI will assemble Zero’s electric motorcycle models in its facility in Laguna in conjunction with the manufacturing facilities for Zero in California.
According to the PCO, the IMI-ZERO operations are a pioneering activity for the Philippines for the assembly of electric motorcycles.
It is expected to employ 200 workers on its assembly line — which will involve manufacturing, packing, and shipping 18,000 EVs per year.
The PCO said the cooperation agreement has a projected amount of $ 65 million. The activity is also seen to support the Philippines’ development of its electric vehicle ecosystem.
The IMI-ZERO facility in Laguna will assemble full electric motorcycles for ZERO’s Europe, Asia, and other markets while supporting US demands for sub-assemblies.
ZERO’s electric motorcycles will be made available in 2024 through AC Industrials.
In a meeting, ZERO said it was “in the process of globalizing our manufacturing business” and described the Philippines as a “clear choice” for its business.
“The Philippines… for us [is] a perfect partner for us to expand our manufacturing. This is a good place for us to build a global manufacturing base,” a representative of ZERO said.
IMI said it is uniquely positioned to have both the competency of electronics manufacturing as well as bike assembly under one roof.
IMI provides global manufacturing solutions, including innovative electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and power semiconductor assembly and test services (SATS) for diversified markets such as those in the automotive, industrial, aerospace, and other industries.
It supports the electronics manufacturing for the electric vehicle ecosystem from the vehicle itself to its charging infrastructure.
Joining the president in the business meeting were Speaker Martin Romualdez, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.
Among those who attended the meeting for the IMI include Ayala Corp. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala and Automotive and Industrial regional manager Dave Corry.
Zero Motorcycles, on the other hand, were represented by its chief executive officer Sam Paschel and chief operating officer Alex Acket.