SunStar + January 23, 2021 TRADE Secretary Ramon Lopez emphasized the need for the provisional safeguard measures on automotives following the news of the closure of operations of Nissan Philippines. Nissan informed on January 20, 2021, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that Nissan will cease assembling its Almera model in the country in line with the group’s global plan to optimize production and efficient business operations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region. “The announcement of Nissan to close their assembly operations in the country is regrettable, as these developments all the more demonstrate the critical situation of the local motor vehicle industry. Thus, the provisional safeguard measures need to be immediately put in place to protect the domestic industry from further serious injury,” the Trade Secretary said.