Mazda Philippines’ 3 pillars for eco-sustainability

Story by Randy S. Peregrino

On August 10, 2012, Mazda’s official vehicle and parts distributor in Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc (BAP) was established. Since then, the company has brought Mazda’s diverse lineup of stylish and award-winning vehicles. Imbued with the head-turning Kodo design language, premium Japanese craftsmanship, and fuel-efficient Skyactiv Technology, it has helped Mazda carve inroads in the Philippine market.

Mazda Philippines has also revolutionized the aftersales service by introducing the country’s first all-inclusive ownership program—Yojin3, in 2013. It bundled a 3-year warranty and 3-year roadside assistance with 3-year free periodic maintenance service. In 2020, this was then extended to a 5-year free service plan. These aftersales initiatives helped Mazda rank first in the JD Power Customer Service Index (CSI) in 2016 and 2019. This level of customer care is now offered in Mazda’s 16 3S dealerships nationwide.

Net-zero facility

One of Mazda Philippines’ inspiring commitments is its serious drive and support toward sustainability. In 2019, the company inaugurated the Mazda Center of Excellence (MCOE), its net-zero facility in Cabuyao, Laguna. Covering a total area of 2.5 hectares, the warehouse and training facility can accommodate close to a thousand units within the 12,269-sqm covered vehicle depot as a staging point before dealership delivery.

Built as a net-zero facility, it utilizes renewable energy. Its self-generating electricity source harnesses up to 145,000 kWh annually from 270 solar panels. Moreover, it is not only renewable electricity that the facility produces but also the water supply. By setting up two voluminous storage tanks with a pump system, the system can harvest and store up to 135,000 liters of rainwater for supply.

The MCOE is just one part of Mazda Philippines’ alignment to Mazda’s global long-term vision of “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030: People, Earth, and Society” as its three interconnected pillars.

Mazda is instituting a multi-solution approach to reduce its global carbon dioxide emissions from a “well-to-wheel” perspective, which considers emissions over the vehicle’s entire life cycle, wherein they will introduce appropriate powertrain options in consideration of each country’s energy policies and energy mix. It aims to reduce its CO2 emissions to 50% of 2010 levels by 2030, to achieve a 90% reduction by 2050.

Recognizing that traditional fuel options remain during the transition to a carbon-neutral society, Mazda Philippines inked a partnership with Pilipinas Shell. The collaboration resulted in the first local carmaker to participate in a carbon offset program. The program calculates a fleet’s overall fuel expenditure and associated CO2 emissions. The emissions are then compensated by carbon credits purchased by Pilipinas Shell for the customers from a global portfolio of nature-based projects. Last year, Mazda Philippines was able to offset 11 tons of carbon dioxide from its fleet’s overall fuel expenditure.

Mazda Philippines also ventured into the tree-planting program, recognizing the trees’ known ability to sink carbon back into the earth. The company initiated a program with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Supported by a community in Siniloan, Laguna, they target to plant 500 trees in one hectare of land within the next five years. To date, 200 trees have already been planted.

Going beyond carbon offsetting, Mazda Philippines has also partnered with two non-profit organizations. One is with the Katala Foundation for the endangered Philippine Pangolin conservation efforts. The other is with Mt. Pulag National Park to produce an informative and educational video that will help the community understand the fragility of the environment and the importance of its protection.

Employees as ‘partners for life’

Internally, Mazda Philippines offers an environment for growth for its employees, who have now become partners for life. Their partnership with the MFI Polytechnic Institute contributed to the achievement of 230 graduate students. Some worked for Mazda Philippines, its dealer partners, and the automotive industry.

Mazda Philippines initiated the Food for Heroes program at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Fresh, home-cooked meals were distributed to frontliners. The company distributed 6,000 meals across four hospitals in three months.

“Mazda has gone a long way since we started back in 2012. We could not have done it without the support of our dealer partners, our owners, the various Mazda clubs, and the media,” said Steven Tan, president of Bermaz Auto Philippines.

With such unwavering support, BAP and Mazda are creating a future in which people, the earth, and society can co-exist with cars—a celebration of driving and a strong emotional connection. (Photos courtesy of Mazda Philippines)