Honda Cars Phils Reports Biggest Sales Drop

The Philippine unit of Japan’s Honda Motor Co. Ltd. incurred the biggest sales drop last year among domestic carmakers, an industry report said.

Sales of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. plummeted by 17.4 percent to 14,298 last year from 17,320 in 2007, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report.

As a result, Honda, which used to be the Philippines’ second-largest carmaker, shed its market share to 12 percent from 15.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Philippines Inc. (TMPI), the country’s biggest car company, maintained its market lead, posting overall sales to 45,915 units from 45,091 units in 2007. Read more

Honda Projects 10% Sales Growth with Launch of All-New City Models

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. forecasts over 10 percent increase in sales this year from a negative 17 percent growth last year as it invests P140 million for the local assembly of its all-new City models, which are expected to drive the company back to a growth path despite the turmoil in the global auto market.

HCPI president Hiroshi Shimizu told reporters at yesterday’s launch of the locally assembled City 2009 the global crisis that is harshly affecting the auto market abroad is not seriously affecting Philippine auto operations.

“There is no big impact in the Philippines compared with other countries,” Shimizu said. Read more

Honda Cars Phils to Adjust Civic Prices

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. bares plans to adjust prices of its multi-awarded compact sedan, Honda Civic.  Since its introduction in 2006, the 8th generation Civic has rocketed sales charts and has consistently gained market leadership in its class.  To date, the Civic has been well received by almost 18,000 happy customers.

Due to increased production cost brought about by the weakening of local currency, Honda plans to bring Civic prices to normal levels.  Effective December 01, 2008, price of all Civic models will increase by P20,000.  Base model Civic 1.8V with manual transmission will be priced Php 830,000.  The best-selling variant, Civic 1.8S with automatic transmission will be priced Php 919,000 while its top of the line variant 2.0SL with automatic transmission will be priced Php 1,150,000. Read more