A Taiwanese electric vehicle bus manufacturer is planning a $25 million manufacturing facility in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), marking the latest evidence of the "China Plus One" strategy reshaping Southeast Asian manufacturing.
The investment, announced following a PEZA delegation to Taiwan in late March, adds to a surge of Taiwanese manufacturing projects moving to the Philippines. As of December 2025, 71 Taiwanese companies were registered with PEZA, with combined investments exceeding ₱45 billion and more than 20,000 direct jobs created nationwide.
The EV bus plant would position the Philippines as a production base for electric public transport vehicles serving ASEAN markets. The Philippine government is actively promoting the country as a hub for EV manufacturing, offering tax incentives and streamlined permitting through PEZA-administered economic zones.
"We are seeing strong and sustained interest from Taiwanese investors, particularly in high-growth and innovation-driven sectors," PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said in a statement. "PEZA remains fully committed to providing a stable, predictable and competitive investment environment that enables our partners to scale efficiently and succeed in the Philippines."
The Taiwanese EV investment comes as manufacturers across East Asia reassess supply chain exposure to China. Rising labor costs, geopolitical tensions, and pandemic-era disruptions have prompted companies to diversify production to Vietnam, the Philippines, , and . The offers a combination of lower labor costs, English-language proficiency, and proximity to consumer markets.
