SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - A world-class CarWorld Inc. (CWI) showroom and full service center will soon rise in this vibrant Freeport, in a highly prime spot at Gateway Park along Rizal Highway.

On Friday, executives of the Laus Group of Companies (LGC) led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Levy P. Laus and CWI President Frank De Jesus, and officials of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Philippines (MMPC) headed by its President Hikosaburo Shibata, gathered to break ground for the facility and lay its construction time capsule.

Also on hand during the ceremonies were Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza and banking officials who witnessed the birth of CarWorld Subic, branded by Laus as "the final stage of developing the dealership" per its size and location.

"Today is very significant. It was our intention to give justice to the granting to CarWorld Subic the primest location in this part of the Freeport. We made sure it is above standard and something SBMA will be very proud of. And we are confident that this over $2-million investment will go a long way for the people of SBMA, Zambales, Olongapo and Bataan since we are going closer to them and provide the necessary convenience as far as Mitsubishi is concerned," said Laus.

He added that construction may take seven to eight months but will nevertheless bring to the area a "new face" and stature which SBMA and Mitsubishi will take pride on.

Taizo Furuhashi, MMCP Executive Vice President for Marketing, for his part said that CarWorld Subic "is a dream realized."

"This Subic area doesn't have that much car dealerships. Levy's vision of up to 50 years is very good and building this world-class facility with a nice showroom, nice service center and nice parts warehouse will surely make our customers happier," shared Furuhashi.

Meanwhile, Shibata, who disclosed that the CarWorld Subic groundbreaking was his first outside of Metro Manila, said the facility's Freeport location is "one of the best I've seen."

"CarWorld has shown its serious commitment to Mitsubishi with the collaboration of MMPC, in building its outlets to world-class standards and implementation of the Mitsubishi future identity as we have CarWorld for decades already. As business partners, MMPC assures CarWorld as well as the entire dealership network, of the strong support for our common objectives, one of which is to provide utmost customer satisfaction, and we trust CarWorld in accomplishing this in this part of Luzon. The establishment of CarWorld here in Subic also helps the economic development and prosperity of this region. Today is a day for celebration and we are very glad you chose us to celebrate with you," said Shibata.