CAMPI Foresees Long-Term Auto Industry Investors

Foreign investors particularly in the automotive sector are taking a serious look in terms of long term investments in the country because the successful first automated national elections have sent a positive signal to investors, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) said.

“The relatively peaceful election means only one thing and that is, a more vibrant automotive industry for 2010. This augurs well for the Philippines, and for Filipinos as foreign investors take a serious second look in terms of mid to long term investments- particularly in automotive,” CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said.

“We can now step on the throttle and go full speed ahead with perhaps business ‘unusual’ as we look forward to an improved environment on the back of stronger consumer and business confidence that will benefit auto sales,” Lee added.

The industry’s confidence was also boosted by the issuance of Executive Order 877 or the new Motor Vehicle Development Program.

Lee said that once the initial errors and inconsistencies have been corrected and all the stakeholders are invited in the crafting of the EO’s implementing rules and regulations, then the MVDP would help attracting new investments in the auto sector. Read more

Mitsubishi Philippines Posts Highest Monthly Sales

As the auto industry chalked up a strong performance in the first four months of 2010, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.achieved its highest monthly sales last April with 3,004 units. This volume is Mitsubishi’s highest after the Asian crisis of 1997. In addition, Mitsubishi’s April 2010 sales accounted for a significant increase of 59.4% compared to April 2009’s 1,885. From January to April, Mitsubishi said it has sold 10,188 units, for a 51% growth over the same period last year.

The Japanese-controlled carmaker attributed its growth to the aggressive financing terms banks/financial institutions gave even to entry level buyers, such as small to medium entrepreneurs and families of migrant workers.

All industry categories saw increased sales, with Mitsubishi passenger cars surging by 51.6% fueled by Lancer 1.6 and Lancer EX 2.0 models. Mitsubishi’s light commercial vehicles also increased by a 56.4% over last year’s level. Mitsubishi was able to achieve 19% market share and maintained its ranking as the 2nd best selling automotive brand in the Philippines.

A new vehicle line up also kept buyers coming in. The Montero Sport drew interest in the SUV segment. Sales of Montero Sport grew by 90% over last year’s level and continued to lead the SUV segment.

Manila Standard Today

Toyota Philippines Offers Promo for Vios, Innova

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) extends its latest promo offerings until May 31. Customers can choose from “Pay Light”, “Pay Cash” or “Pay Low” packages to avail of cash discounts and low monthly amortization rates.

“Pay Light” offers monthly plans for as low as P6,400 for Vios 1.3E M/T and P7,400 for Innova J Gas for up to 72 months with 50 percent downpayment. Zero percent interest payment for up to 18 months is also available for selected variants.

Under “Pay Cash”, cash buyers may get up to P40,000 savings for Innova V, G, and E diesel variants.
Lastly, “Pay Low” plan offers downpayments of as low as P65,000 for Vios 1.3E M/T and P79,000 for Innova J Gas. In addition, Innova customers are entitled to free one-year comprehensive insurance, free three-year LTO registration, and free chattel mortgage fee.

Affordable payment options for the newly-introduced Vios 1.3E A/T are also available with the Toyota Great Summer Savings.

“Pay Light” with only P6,887 for 72 months with 50 percent downpayment, “Pay Low” with 10 percent downpayment of P72,000 or “Pay Cash” and get P20,000 cash savings.

“Pay Light” and “Pay Low” transactions are subject to Toyota Financial Services (TFS) credit approval.
Participating models include all variants of Innova (except SR), and Vios 1.5 and 1.3E only.

Visit any of the 27 dealerships nationwide and avail of the Toyota Great Summer Savings before summer ends.

Manila Bulletin

Suzuki Philippines Launches New SX4 Variants

Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) recently launched the Suzuki SX4 Crossover hatchback and the upgraded Suzuki SX4 Aero sedan.

First introduced as a five-door hatchback in the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the Suzuki SX4 Crossover was designed by automotive hall of fame designer Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign studio, and was originally intended only for the European market.

In 2007, the Suzuki SX4 Sedan debuted in the New York Auto Show. One year after, Suzuki Philippines introduced to the local market the Suzuki SX4 sedan.

This year, the company brought in the new Suzuki SX4 Crossover. It is equipped with new features such as honeycomb type front grille, fender arch, roof rails, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

More power and better fuel efficiency are the hallmarks of its new M16A engine, a 1600cc 16-valve DOHC engine with variable-valve timing (VVT). Mated to a 4-speed gate-type automatic transmission, it is able to deliver maximum output of 110 hp at 5,600 rpm and maximum torque of 150 Nm at 3,800 rpm. Likewise, occupant safety is assured by a high rigidity body that utilizes TECT (Total Effective Control Technology) as well as dual air bags, anti-lock brakes and keyless entry.

The instrument cluster serves as a virtual information center with a fuel consumption gauge, fuel range and digital clock. Read more

Honda Philippines Fuels Eco Campaign

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. gathered six green organizations to stage another leg of its fuel efficiency driving competition called Honda Challenge Cup Green Warriors’ Edition.

Honda works with government agencies and non-government organizations towards environment protection convened to promote fuel economy awareness in the face of unstable fuel prices, depleting fuel supply and excessive exhaust emissions. Present during the competition were representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Bantay Kalikasan, Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and Honda Club of the Philippines (HCP).

Through this type of event, Honda advocates driving every drop of fuel by considering three basic factors: vehicle, driver and fuel.

Honda Challenge Cup educates regular motorists some fuel efficient driving techniques that are applicable in practical, day-to-day setting.

Honda provided its complete model line-up namely City, Jazz, Civic, CR-V and Accord for the activity and loaded these vehicles with Petron XCS gasoline.

Applying the basic formula, vehicle plus driver plus fuel equals fuel economy, these green warriors accomplished amazing results despite the accident that happened along NLEX which caused heavy traffic in the area.

The 1.3 City AT driven by John Paul Balayon and Ricky de Leon of Bantay Kalikasan bested its category and posted 13.35 km/li.

Malaya Online

Suzuki Auto Cebu is ‘Dealer of the Year’

The country’s only integrated automotive company, Suzuki Philippines Inc., honored its top dealers recently, an SPH press release said.

For having achieved the highest points on Suzuki’s Balanced Score Card in 2009, Suzuki Auto Cebu was declared Dealer of the Year among Suzuki’s 18 automobile dealers nationwide.

In 2008, Suzuki Auto Cebu was the top dealer in the provincial category.

Asked about the secret to their success, Suzuki Auto Cebu general manager Debbie Chua said that, “Winning the Dealer of the Year award is a testament to the hard work of our people. We will be trying very hard to maintain or even improve our sales volume and at the same time focus more on customer service so that we can continue to be the top Suzuki dealer.”

Suzuki Auto Cebu is owned by Cebu Autocentrale Corporation, headed by the dynamic husband and wife team of Brian and Debbie Chua.

Suzuki employs a Balanced Score Card system for evaluating and rewarding its dealers in terms of marketing strategy implementation.

The comprehensive rating system evaluates retail sales performance and spare parts sales, as well as service and showroom compliance. Read more

Bullish UMC Sees Double-Digit Growth in Sales

Universal Motors Corporation, the exclusive assembler and distributor of Nissan LCVs in the market, sees double-digit growth for the overall sales of its product line up saying the successful and credible election results are expected to fuel growth of the local economy.

“We are looking forward to stronger growth for our product lines with at least a 10% increase in sales on the back of stronger consumer and business confidence after the country went through its successful, first ever automated elections,” said UMC executive vice-president Elizabeth H. Lee.

UMC’s products include the Nissan Navara Sport Utility Truck, the popular Nissan Urvan van lines supported by its pioneering “Ur Van, Ur Business” program, the luxury SUV Nissan Patrol Super Safari, and the recently launched premium crossover Murano Z51.

“Should the aggressive growth trend continue with ample supply to support the growing demand, growth could possibly be upwards of 20%,” she said.

CAMPI figures showed overall auto industry sales were robust with a 37.4% growth for the first four months of the year with the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines., Inc. looking to revise its original conservative 4% growth from 2009. Read more

Hyundai Cebu Hailed as Hyundai Asia-Pacific Dealer of the Year

All eyes were on Hyundai Cebu during the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) Asia-Pacific Dealer Conference held in Macau, Hong Kong last April 12-15, 2010, as the country’s Elite Hyundai dealer notched another milestone.

Superimposing Hyundai’s signature of excellence is the boundary-breaking success of Hyundai Cebu as it won the 2009 Hyundai Dealer of the Year Award for the Asia-Pacific region after overtaking 260 other dealers. Another revelation of Hyundai’s continuing surge as a global automotive brand is Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, which secured the 2009 Award of Excellence for its outstanding performance in the area of Sales operations, and for commendable overall distributor operations during the said conference as well. With all these distinctions, Hyundai Cebu and HARI are indeed in a league all their own as they continue to live to their name as kings in the automotive industry, riding on the crest of accolades awarded by no less than Hyundai Motor Company.

The Hyundai tradition of Excellence

Setting new milestones with every automotive trend it spearheads and garnering the highest honor from its local and global counterparts with its unending pursuit to creating cutting-edge automotive innovations, Hyundai does not rest on its laurels yet as it continues to secure its presence in the market. With this, the HMC Asia-Pacific Dealer Conference becomes an annual convention where Hyundai’s network of distributors and dealers gather together to share the Hyundai vision of being an automotive market leader through relentless training of its most valued dealers and distributors. Read more

Toyota Philippines Recalls 151 Prado SUVs for Skidding Problems

One hundred fifty-one Land Cruiser Prado sports utility vehicles (SUV) sold here since late last year are affected by the global recall of about 21,000 units due to skidding problems encountered in high-speed driving, a Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. official said on Wednesday.

Owners are advised to contact the local arm of the Japanese automotive firm to arrange for a free reprogramming of their units’ “vehicle stability control” program, the company said in a statement late on Monday.

The development came after more than 20 Toyota Prius hybrids in the Philippines were recalled in February to address faulty brakes.

This time, it is the Land Cruiser Prado with 18-inch wheels and fitted with the kinetic dynamic suspension system that is up for a “special service campaign,” Toyota Philippines said.

The model’s control program needs to be updated or the vehicle could slide sideways when a driver sharply turns the steering wheel in high-speed conditions, Toyota Philippines said.

“[Toyota Philippines] has started contacting its Land Cruiser Prado customers and will perform home service repair at no cost to the customers. Customers may also contact [the Toyota Philippines] customer assistance hotline,” it said.

Forty-eight of the units sold here in 2009 and 103 that have entered the market so far this year need to be serviced, a spokesman said in a text message yesterday. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Defers Plan to Sell Vehicles to Central America

Isuzu Philippines Corp. is deferring plans to export locally-assembled vehicles to Central America pending the resolution of pricing issues, outgoing company president Keiji Takeda told reporters Monday night.

“We tried but the stumbling block was that the price requirement from them and our cost does not match. So that was the biggest barrier, the biggest hurdle,” Takeda said at the sidelines of the turnover ceremony of the company’s leadership. “We will continue our effort to minimize the gap but it is too big for them to get the big order.” Ryoji Yamazaki is taking over the presidency of Isuzu.

Takeda in February said the company was looking at the Central American market for its vehicles, including the Crosswind and possibly the recently-launched Microbus. “I’ve been telling my people to study the possibility of [the inclusion of] a Microbus but that is just a very, very initial idea,” he said, adding that he himself did not know if there would be a market for Microbus.

“But I think that like in the Philippine market, I also believe that we will have a strong potential to export to Central America. Another difficulty is that… from the Philippines to Central America, [it would be a] very, very long way,” he said.

He said the size of Microbus could present logistic problems “so we are still studying about it.”

Takeda said the company had not received orders yet for the Microbus in the local market. Isuzu is set to launch the Microbus by the end of the year yet and may adjust its initial P1.3-million price tag.

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