In 1947, Anastacio T. Francisco established a small painting shop in Zapote, Las Pinas with a starting capital of Php 200.00 that specialized in painting jeepneys, cars and trucks. Four years later, the small painting shop became the Francisco Body Builder (FBB) which engaged in the building of jeepney bodies. It became known as a reputable body builder with clients coming to the shop for the unique body designs from surplus jeepneys left after the war. By 1955, FBB ventured into assembling a complete line of jeepneys using reconditioned engines from Japan. Also the same year, the Luneta Motor Company became the company's first distributor of FBB bodies. This marketing relationship continued to blossom and Luneta Motor Company, which was the franchised distributor of English Ford cars and Thames trucks, partnered with FBB to assemble Ford Consul and Thames light trucks.

     The company was incorporated in 1960 and was to be known by its present name: Francisco Motor Corporation. As it is, the name continued to firmly establish in the local automotive industry and FMC was appointed by Isuzu Motors Co., Ltd. of Japan as the franchised assembler and distributor of the Isuzu Bellett Cars in the Philippines. By 1968, FMC assembled Isuzu Elf trucks and continued its partnership with Isuzu until 1974. With its partnership with Isuzu, FMC introduced Isuzu diesel engines for the locally distributed jeepneys. FMC continued to dominate the jeepney market with its partnership with Isuzu of Japan.

     Due to the changes in the local market, FMC next partnered with Mazda for a new line of light trucks for commercial use. This proved to be successful and FMC broadened its partnership with Mazda for other commercial vehicles as well as the provision of engines for its locally produced jeepneys and mini buses. The continued partnership with Mazda allowed FMC to actively participate and pioneer the development of the Asian Utility Vehicle under the government's Progressive Truck Manufacturing Program. This resulted in the introduction of the Pinoy I, a Mazda 1200 cc powered vehicle. Further improvements on the Pinoy and a new version was introduced in 1979 as the Pinoy II. At the same time, jeepney production reached 14,900 units. For the same period, FMC's annual production reached 5,000 units per year and employed 2,000 employees in the two manufacturing plants.

     As the company moved into the turbulent 80s, FMC joined the Commercial Vehicle Development Program, which replaced the Marcos-era PTMP under the Board of Investments. Under the program, FMC developed the ANFRA, a third generation Asian Utility Vehicle that was mainly for commercial use.  The AUV was named ANFRA as a tribute and to commemorate ANastacio FRAncisco, the founder of FMC, who passed away in 1984.  After which, Fernando and Jorge, the two brothers of Anastacio continued to propagate the automotive manufacturing company. 

     Under the leadership of the then President and CEO Jorge T. Francisco, the youngest brother of Anastacio and a Mechanical Engineer, FMC emerged as one of the largest and the only locally owned manufacturer and assembler of vehicles in the Philippines, with over 60,000 units sold. It further expanded into the assembly and distribution of small engine displacement cars under license from Fiat of Italy. As the contract with Fiat expired, FMC tied up with Hyundai of Korea to assemble and distribute Hyundai-brand cars and vans.

     As the 1990s closed, FMC had been a strong player in the local automotive market, however, due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the company had experienced a series of setbacks that affected the financial viability of the company after more than 50 years of continued operations and growth. By 2002 the company had filed for rehabilitation due to losses incurred in its operations. The economy was devastated by the financial crisis and FMC was not spared.

     Cheaper imports were eating up the industry's pie with the free entry of second hand and reconditioned vehicles from Japan. The second hand imports vied for price sensitive customers who were looking for more cost effective commercial vehicles that would not erode narrowing business margins. In addition to the second hand imports, the free entry of completely built-up (CBU) vehicles dampened the industry's local assemblers.  Although cheaper, these surplus and second hand vehicles being imported from abroad proves to be devastating to our environment, to our health due to pollution and to the pockets of the consumers due to ever rising maintenance costs.

     The need for efficient, affordable and environment friendly transportation system for the Philippines comes at a time when we are faced with great uncertainty of the future. The continued rise in world oil prices exerts pressure on the economy as the local transport sector is dependent on imported fuel. In particular, the local sector which is dominated by jeepneys and buses require diesel fuel. The fact that majority of the public transportation in the country today are jeepneys, many concerns need to be resolved and some of them are as follows:

1. Fuel efficiency;

2. Pollution from emissions of old diesel engines;

3. Marginal income due to rising maintenance costs; and,

4. Cost of brand-new units.

In order to resolve these concerns, FMC proposes the following:

• Metro Manila

  • Encourage current franchise holders to replace jeepneys which are more than 10 years old either through replacement of engines or brand-new units;

  • Renew franchise holders through an engine replacement scheme supervised and coordinated with the DENR; and,

  • Create new franchise routes that will serve as feeders to existing rail services.

• Rest of the Philippines

  • Open new franchises to less traveled routes;

  • Encourage the replacement of vehicles which are more than 10 years old;

  • Encourage engine replacement for roadworthy vehicles.

       FMC is the major manufacturer of brand new jeepneys in the Philippines with a capacity to provide brand new jeepneys for the local market at about 2,000 to 3,000 a year.

     FMC had also been exploring alternative power sources for jeepneys to address the environmental concerns.  One of which is the electric powered engine of which is still not yet viable due to many reasons unless super-conductors in room temperature would be invented anytime soon.  The other alternative is the utilization of CNG or Compressed Natural Gas which is viable; however, it consumes a lot more fuel than diesel powered engine and there is a very limited number of refilling stations at this time.  The next best logical step today is the utilization of the latest technology in diesel powered engines which are Euro compliant and environment friendly.

     Last May 21, 2008, the Francisco Motor Corporation, represented by Rosauro Francisco-President & CEO, Elmer Francisco-Chief Operating Officer and Boyet Francisco-VP Marketing, in cooperation with Isuzu Philippines Powertrain Division, represented by Adit Roa-Sr. Supervisor for Marketing & Jeffrey Aguila-Sales Supervisor, produced and re-launched in Cagayan de Oro City the All Brand New FMC Passenger Jeepney powered by Brand New ISUZU 4JB1 Euro 1 Compliant Diesel Engine (Fuel Consumption: 14 kilometers per liter) which had significantly reduced the emission and is environment friendly.  FMC and Isuzu once again, like in the 1960's, had joined forces to make the Brand New and Environment Friendly FMC Passenger Jeepney available to the Philippine market and to the rest of the world as well. 

"Basta Isuzu ang Engine, Francisco ang Jeepney!"