Isuzu Philippines Maintains Truck Market Leadership in 2009

According to the combined official figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., Isuzu trucks again outsold the competition in 2009, as it had the previous 11 straight years.

Last year, Isuzu’s N-Series light-duty trucks sold a total of 996 units, or 56.8 percent of Category 3 of the commercial vehicle segment. Isuzu’s medium-duty trucks, including the Forward, were just as dominant, selling 232 units for 57.9 percent of Category 4. Read more

Lexus Manila Celebrates First Anniversary

Lexus Manila, Inc. marks its first year of doing business in the Philippine luxury automotive scene this month. Since its brand debut in January 2009, it did not take long for Lexus Manila to make good on Lexus global reputation for production quality and customer satisfaction.

During its first year, Lexus Manila has responded to market trends by offering its customer a fresh option of luxury car line-up. With the opening of its world-class showroom at the heart of Fort Bonifacio Global City last year, Lexus also launched its initial line-up composed of the flagship sedan LS460, ES350, GS460, IS300, and full-size SUV LX570. This was immediately followed by the March introduction of the global best-selling Lexus cross over SUV RX350, and the sporty convertible IS300c in September. By year end, 172 satisfied Lexus customers can attest to the understated elegance of its products and the warm hospitality of its associates. Lexus garnered 13 percent share of the market, quickly climbing to the fourth position. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Corp Marks 1st Anniversary, Success of Auto Mechanic Training Center

The challenging year of 2009 is not entirely devoid of inspiring and positive stories. Isuzu Philippines Corp. and Isuzu Auto Parts Manufacturing Corp. helped celebrate the first anniversary of the TESDA Auto Mechanic training Center in Tacloban, Leyte, which Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan funded. The project — which is part of Isuzu Japan’s “Heart And Smile” corporate social responsibility campaign — formally opened in 2008 with the aim of providing expert and subsidized automotive training to select underprivileged youth.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority bestowed also in 2009 an award to Isuzu in recognition of its philanthropic contributions to the project. Acknowledging the award, Isuzu Motors Limited chairman Yoshinori Ida said, “Isuzu will continue its generous support of the project and work closely with TESDA in ensuring the progress of all scholars because the company believes in the young people being the foundation of a strong Philippine economy in the future.”

“It is our sincere hope that these bright and hardworking young people will be valuable members not just of the automotive industry but also of the Philippine society in the future,” said IPC president Keiji Takeda. “We expect nothing from them in return except their pledge to positively use the technical knowledge and expertise that they will get from the program.”

In photo, Isuzu chairman Yoshinori Ida (1st row, standing 7th from left) joins Plan Phils and TESDA officials together with the Isuzu scholars in celebrating the auto mechanic training center’s first anniversary.

Mitsubishi Philippines Banners 2009 with 33% Growth Industry Sales

The Philippine automotive industry defied threats of automotive slump due to global financial crisis as it registered a 6.4% growth in 2009. Total vehicle sales reached 132,444 units in 2009, exceeding the flat growth forecast for 2009 by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) or 125,000 units. In 2008, total vehicles sold were 124,449 units.

CAMPI and TMA credits this growth to the aggressiveness of automotive players in introducing new models and various promotion schemes as well as by banks/financial institutions to accept auto financing from loans especially from entry level buyers such as small to medium scale entrepreneurs and also Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). In addition, the strong typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last October which brought heavy floods in Metro Manila and Luzon areas caused irreparable damaged to most vehicles, have partially contributed to the increase as it accelerated vehicle replacements especially in the last quarter. Read more

MINI Global City Opens

British United Automobiles, Inc., the authorized importer for MINI in the Philippines, opens the doors of MINI Global City at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig today, Jan. 15.

Designed by Architect Abraham F. Flores together with the BMW Group, the showroom will introduce a new world of motoring fun to MINI enthusiasts in the Philippines.

“After months of planning, we are excited to open our doors. The MINI Global City is something special, created on the basis of a car that is already very special. The interior is designed with exclusive style to reflect the sophisticated features of the MINI,” said Willy Q. Tee Ten, president of British United Automobiles, Inc.

“No other car has become the object of art and fashion as often and in the same diversity as the MINI. We are therefore pleased that MINI Global City is designed with exclusive style to reflect the sophisticated features of the MINI,” said Preecha Ninatkiattikul, MINI manager, Asia. Read more

RP Posts 6.4% Increase in Auto Sales Amid Regional Slump

Carmakers exceeded their expectations last year, selling 132,444 vehicles or 6.4 percent more than they did in 2008, and on the back of higher demand sustained by remittances and aggressive financing offers.

Elizabeth Lee, president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., said the strong December sales of 13,596 units, the industry’s highest monthly total in a decade, allowed carmakers to exceed their 4-percent growth forecast for 2009.

“Although December sales were expected to be seasonally higher, the stronger spike [that month] was a welcome result,’’ Lee said.

This augurs well for 2010.” Read more

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Tops 600,000 Unit Sales Level

Two years after hitting the half million units sold mark, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) has once again reached another milestone last December 7, 2009 with cumulative sales of 600,000 units since the start of its operations in 1988. TMP is the first car manufacturer in the Philippine automotive industry to bag this achievement.

For 21 years of being in the industry, TMP remained consistently focused on catering to diverse needs of Filipino consumers. It offers an extensive model line-up of fourteen vehicles distributed to 27 dealer outlets nationwide. By maintaining its strong commitment in providing high quality products and excellent services to its customers, TMP has made its way to being the market leader for eighteen years. TMP is also proud to reveal that despite the economic slowdown in 2009, it has garnered year-to-date sales of 46,193 units as of December 2009. Read more

Honda’s Rule-Changing City Gleams with Record-Breaking Sales

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. seals another sales record with the City. Marking its first year anniversary in the market, the third generation City changes the rules on how subcompacts should be like and manages to post a total of 8,882 unit sales in 2009. This is the City’s highest annual sales ever chronicled since the model was introduced in the local market back in 1996. The highest recorded sales then were 5,478 units which was posted in 1997. This only evidences greater customer appreciation of Honda’s latest subcompact sedan.

In celebration of this remarkable feat, Honda brings the City to yet another level of refinement as it introduces a new exciting color to its line-up. Hailed as the time’s new black, the City now comes in Taffeta white for its top of the line variant, City 1.5 E. Exuding youthful, refreshing, sporty and stylish appeal, Taffeta White City spices up an already sensational package that has created new standards in its class. Read more

Toyota Philippines Introduces Tougher Innova Sport Runner

Toyota Motor Philippines sets the stage for the new Year 2010 as they introduce a tougher version of the country’s best-selling commercial vehicle, the Innova Sport Runner. All the passenger car-like comfort offered by the Toyota Innova is packed inside this new variant, with an improved sportier exterior. The Innova SR features new overfenders, side skirts, rear spoiler, new front fog lamp design, 15” alloy wheels in a wider 225 / 55 R15 tires, Sport Runner badge and exclusive black and bronze exterior colors. It will be available in 2.5-liter diesel automatic and manual transmissions at Php 1,064,000 and Php 999,000 respectively. “The Sport Runner is a fresh addition to the Innova line-up. While the Innova has been consistently performing very well since its 2005 introduction, averaging 900 units per month in sales, we understand that there are customers who are also looking for a tougher or sportier look that will compliment the Innova’s driving performance and riding comfort.

We are confident that this new variant will further solidify the Innova’s position as the best-selling MPV, and will contribute to TMP’s overall sales leadership,” surmised Raymond Rodriguez, First Vice President for Vehicle Sales. The Innova Sport Runner will be available in any of Toyota 27 outlets nationwide this month.

Toyota Vios, Innova Most Popular Vehicles in 2009

The Toyota Vios was the best-selling car in 2009, accounting for almost a quarter of the 46,021 vehicles sold by top auto maker Toyota.

Preliminary data from Toyota showed that 11,981 units of its locally-assembled sedan were sold last year.

Toyota’s van, the Innova, also assembled in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, was the second biggest seller with 10,311 units sold in 2009.

All in all, the two models accounted for nearly half of Toyota’s sales in the Philippines last year.

Including the sales of Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, which sold 172 units last year, the Japanese car maker sold a total of 46,193 units in 2009. Read more

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