TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP), together with Toyota Tacloban, Leyte Inc., has begun developing a new service center in Palo, Leyte, further expanding the brand’s aftersales network in Eastern Visayas.
The project marks a milestone for Toyota in the province, as it will become the first dedicated Toyota service center in Leyte once completed.
The future facility is expected to improve access to aftersales support for the growing number of Toyota owners in the area while reducing the need for customers to travel longer distances for vehicle servicing and repairs.
Located in the first-class municipality of Palo, the facility will occupy a 6,000-square-meter site and will offer a full range of aftersales services, including express maintenance, periodic maintenance, and general repairs.
Toyota also plans to integrate a modern showroom into the development, alongside 32 fully equipped service bays designed to accommodate increasing service demand in the province.
The service center is scheduled to open by the middle of 2027.
TMP Senior Vice President for Marketing Sherwin Chua-Lim said the expansion builds on Toyota Tacloban’s more than a decade of operations in the region.
“For the past 13 years, Toyota Tacloban has been committed to the Toyota brand through providing quality products and services to our customers,” he said. “Over time, we have gained the trust of 28,000 customers, reflecting the confidence that the people of Leyte have placed in us.”
Toyota Tacloban, Leyte President Jimmy Yaokasin said the project is intended to support the province’s long-term growth rather than simply address current demand.
“This groundbreaking ceremony is not simply about constructing another service center. It is about preparing for the next generation,” Yaokasin said. “Technology is evolving, mobility is changing, and customer expectations continue to rise. The needs of our communities are growing, and this expansion is our response to that future.”
Palo has become an increasingly strategic location in Eastern Visayas due to its accessibility and proximity to key transport infrastructure.
The municipality sits along the Pan-Philippine Highway and serves as an important link between Tacloban City and neighboring provinces in Leyte and Samar. Its access to airports, seaports, and national road networks has also strengthened its role as a regional center for trade, logistics, and mobility.
For Toyota, the new facility is part of a broader effort to bring aftersales services closer to customers outside major urban centers.
As vehicle ownership continues to grow in provincial areas, dealerships are increasingly shifting their focus toward expanding service capacity alongside vehicle sales.
Once completed, the Palo facility will become another key node in Toyota’s nationwide aftersales network, reinforcing the importance of service accessibility in maintaining long-term customer loyalty.