However, it seems a lot has gone on since then, with new information revealing that MMPC is beginning to rethink its strategy for local hybrid production. A news report by Manila Bulletin’s Business section details how the Japanese automaker's new President and CEO, Ritsu Imaeda, gave a statement that the planned investment is still ‘under study.’ The new stance by MMPC is to ensure that any new investment in Philippine manufacturing will be worthwhile for the brand.

Imaeda also told the newspaper that another reason why the brand is reevaluating its investment is that the government, led by the Bureau of Investments (BI), hasn’t yet released the specifics of the EVIS program. MMPC is also still undergoing an approval process to be able to take advantage of the EVIS manufacturing program. Other reasons mentioned by the brand's President and CEO are the uncertainty of local vehicle manufacturing policy of the next administration coming in 2028, which might not share the same EV push as the Marcos-led government.

However, MMPC still wants to reaffirm its local manufacturing capabilities as one of the very few left that build cars locally. Imaeda highlighted that the uncertain times require the brand to be more flexible, and as such, MMPC is also open to joining the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) program. RACE aims to incentivize local production of Internal Combustion Engines (IEC). Basically, RACE takes the place of the old CARS program, which Mitsubishi joined by building the Mirage G4 and L300.

Imaeda also stressed that while RACE remains an option, the automaker remains committed to joining EVIS. In the ASEAN region, Mitsubishi builds hybrids in its main plant in Thailand, with the Philippines looking to be the second location should MMPC decide to look elsewhere; Indonesia and Malaysia have also strengthened their automotive manufacturing sectors.