The local automotive industry reported a decline in sales for the first eight months of the year due to the effects of the disasters in Japan that limited the production and supply of some models.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) in a joint report showed a 4.1 percent decline in January to August sales from a year ago level. During the first eight months of 2011, total industry sales stood at 93,108 units, lower than the 97,122 units recorded a year ago.

Month-on-month, however, the August sales performance was slightly higher at 11,558 from 11,550 in July due to introduction of new model, continuous promotion and availability of units.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. sold 34,190 units or 36.72 percent of total market share.

This was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with sales of 21,182 units or 24.43 percent market share. Third was Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 9.73 percent market share or 9,062 units followed by Ford Motor Company Phils. Inc. with 8.81 percent or 8,200 units and followed by Isuzu Philippines Corp. with 6.72 percent or 6,259 units.

Sales of passenger cars registered a 6.8 percent growth compared to last July’s figure but lower when compared from a year ago level.

Commercial vehicle sales decreased by 3.2 percent to 7, 532 in August from 7,782 units in July.

Philippine Star

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Toyota

We’ve just given you our first impressions of the redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry. Now, Toyota is ready to give you pricing, and it’s good news if you’re in the market for this mid-size mainstay. Pricing stays the same for some of the 2012 trims, while it’s actually gone down for a few others. The 2012 Camry family hierarchy shakes out with the base-model L before moving up to the LE, XLE and SE trims. The Camry Hybrid is only available in LE or XLE guise.

Pricing for the 2012 Camry L starts at $21,995. If you want to move up to the LE, you only need $545 more for a total of $22,500, which is about $200 less than the 2011 LE. Another $500 brings you to the four-cylinder-equipped Camry SE, which costs $23,000 and is priced $965 lower than the 2011 model it replaces. The V6 SE will cost $26,400, which is consistent with 2011 pricing. In the market for the top-shelf XLE? Have at least $24,725 ready for the four-cylinder model, and $29,845 if you prefer the V6. The 2012 Camry XLE four-cylinder is priced a full $2,000 less than the 2011 model, while the XLE V6 remains priced the same as the 2011.

If you’re leaning towards the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, you’ll be saving $1,150 over the 2011 Camry LE. The 2012 Camry Hybrid LE starts at $25,900, while the Camry Hybrid XLE starts at $27,400, an $800 deduction compared to the 2011 unit.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Camry pricing good news for those shopping in mid-size market

2012 Toyota Camry pricing good news for those shopping in mid-size market originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Technology, Toyota, Electric

The Toyota Plug-in Prius won’t be hitting dealer showrooms until 2012. Before that happens, Toyota is getting ready to produce an “add-on” for the vehicle, but it’s one you don’t take with the car. What are we talking about? An in-home charging station.

Priced up to $2,045 (200,000 Yen) if you include installation, two charging stations will be available: one mounted to an exterior wall and one intended to stay inside a garage.

The chargers will reportedly be compatible with other vehicle makes (assuming they use the same plug standards, we’d guess…) and the automaker is expecting to sell between 20,000 and 30,000 in the first year alone. That’s a lot of electrification, no?

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Toyota to market in-home chargers in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, Design/Style

The average age of those who buy new Chryslers? Sixty-two. That’s not good for a brand that’s looking to expand into new markets and thereby increase sales. Invariably, such a strategy means younger buyers will need to be lured into the showroom.

In order to entice younger buyers, Chrysler reportedly plans to enhance its so-called ‘S’ sub-brand, starting with the refreshed 200 sedan (the old Sebring) and the more heavily revised 300, that Chrysler says will appeal to those who want something a little more “edgy.”

Exterior chrome will be blacked-out, interior wood will be replaced with carbon fiber and traditionally staid interior colors will now be offered in brighter red hues. There won’t necessarily be any modifications to the car’s driving characteristics, as this is intended to be a styling exercise only.

Automotive News reports that an S version of the 200 will go into production this spring, followed an an unspecified time by the 300. Think it’s a good idea? Let your opinion be heard in our completely informal poll below.

View Poll

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Chrysler wants ‘S’ branding to appeal to youth market [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More than any other, two carmaking giants sit at the top of the industry: Toyota and General Motors. But while GM sells under a (shrinking but still) expansive range of brands, the Toyota Motor Corporation sells most of its vehicles under its own name. That doesn’t mean that Toyota, however, doesn’t have its own portfolio of subsidiaries. Here in the United States we have the youth-oriented Scion division, while Lexus handles its upscale offerings, and overseas there’s Daihatsu.

The budget brand offers a range of small cars under its own name; most are hatchbacks, but there’s also the Copen roadster and even a rebadged Camry called the Altis. You may have come across some of their offerings while traveling overseas, particularly in Europe, but that last part is about to come to an end, according to reports.

Word from across the pond is that Toyota plans to withdraw Daihatsu from the European market altogether. The move would reportedly take effect in 2013, and if it comes to pass, would follow similar withdrawals from the North American (1992) and Australian (2006) markets. Thanks for the tip, William!

[Source: Autohaus]

Report: Daihatsu leaving European market originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Toyota

2010 was as rough a year as Toyota has experienced in many-a-decade, but the Japanese automaker reportedly senses a rebound in 2011. The Detroit News reports that team Toyota predicts that in 2011 it will outpace industry growth due in part to 10 revamped models across its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands.

And Toyota isn’t just optimistic about its prospects in the year ahead; the automaker feels sales will jump to 12.5 million units on an annualized basis, up a million units from 2010. Many industry analysts polled by The Detroit News seem to agree with that sentiment as well, with figures ranging from 12.5 to over 13 million cars and trucks sold in 2011. Further into the future, Toyota reportedly sees sales hitting 15 million units by 2015.

After the year Toyota had, we are a little surprised that the Japanese automaker is this bullish on 2011. But then again, Toyota struggled as much with an aging lineup as it did with millions of recalls. Ten new models can go a long way toward repopulating dealers with new customers, especially if U.S. car buyers can forget about 2010 as fast as Toyota hopes they do.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Toyota sees increased U.S. market share in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Europe, BMW, Rumormill

Judging from the whispers making their way around the interwebs, BMW may be interested in rekindling the X7 flame. The company was one of many corporations that took part in a global summit in Seoul to discuss how to rebalance global trade away from a U.S.-dependent market. But while many of the participants are keen to shift their attentions toward economies in China and Germany, BMW seemed to think that the U.S. would be back on its feet and buying sooner rather than later. The automaker even went so far as to say that it hadn’t completely nixed the idea of introducing another larger SUV to its North American lineup.

That means that the X7, a massive vehicle killed off in 2008, may not be completely off of the table. Throwing another SUV into the company’s portfolio wouldn’t seem to be in keeping with BMW’s new commitment to building ever more efficient vehicles, though you never know. Just because we like to think that we live in a post-SUV world doesn’t mean American buyers don’t love their massive machines.

[Source: Wall Street Journal via BMW Blog]

Rumormill: BMW reconsidering larger SUV for U.S. market? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Europe, Volkswagen, Luxury

If you’re in the market for a luxury sport-ute, the Volkswagen Group has got you well covered between the Audi Q5 and Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne. But the VW division is kicking its own offering up a luxurious notch with the Exclusive package for the Touareg.

Initially available exclusively in its domestic German market, the Touareg Exclusive benefits from a number of special touches, many of which are available on the standard model but come here bundled into one package. These include a choice of three wheel options (one set of 19s as standard, a different set as a no-cost option and extra-cost 20-inchers) along with added chrome and silver roof rails.

The interior is fitted with two-tone Nappa leather (in either beige and black or burgundy and black). Called “cool leather”, the seats are specially trimmed to – you guessed it – stay cool, and also heated and adjustable in 12 ways. Olive wood trim, a black headliner and stainless steel sill plates round out the package.

The Touareg Exclusive can be ordered in Germany with any of the engines available on the standard model (including diesel and gasoline BlueMotion V6s, the V8 TDI and the V6 hybrid), but there’s no word yet on whether the North American market will receive a similarly Exclusive package. Full press release after the jump.

Live photos by Jonathon Ramsey / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen releases luxurious new Touareg Exclusive for German market

Volkswagen releases luxurious new Touareg Exclusive for German market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Japan, Toyota, Daihatsu

Toyota is looking to get bigger… by going smaller. The Japanese automaker is looking to enter the kei car market, a popular segment in its homeland. Kei cars are small vehicles with restrictions on length (11.15 feet), width (4.86 feet), engine size (660 cubic centimeters) and power output (63 horsepower). Currently, Toyota is the only Japanese automaker not producing vehicles for this segment, but that is set to change, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Thanks to its relationship with Daihatsu, Toyota can jump right into the kei car game. Daihatsu is one of the largest producer of kei vehicles and it is currently owned by Toyota.

Although kei cars are restricted in terms of size and power, they are not restricted by technology. Automakers utilize different drive configurations, powertrains and amenities to keep their cars fresh. Daihatsu and Toyota plan to work together to produce Toyota-branded kei cars. The two companies will utilize Toyota’s knowledge of electric and hybrid systems to produce efficient little vehicles for the Japanese market.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Oh, Kei Go: Toyota set to enter JDM minicar market? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Mitsubishi, Earnings/Financials

Mitsubishi has had a very rough road the last few years. Its sales have fallen steadily since a peak year in 2002 when the brand pushed 354,111 units out the door. According to Automotive News, Osamu Masuko, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, says he is often asked if the Japanese automaker is ready to pull out of the U.S. market. “It never enters my mind,” he says.

The company with the triple diamond logo has big plans and lofty goals for the near future. Currently, Mitsubishi moves around 50,000 vehicles per year and Masuko’s personal goal is to push that figure to 200,000 vehicles – an increase of 400 percent. He believes the path to his goals is through new products and moderate incentives, both of which will help drive steady and sustainable growth.

The product lineup is shifting away from a past littered with larger sedans and SUVs. Mitsubishi is going to aim for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles as well as all-electric vehicles such as the i-MiEV. In addition, it plans to move away from regional vehicles to develop consistent global platforms. Since the U.S. market only accounts for less than 10 percent of global sales, this sounds like a smart move, but smaller vehicles often bring smaller profit potential, so it will be interesting to see if Mitsu can thrive with this sort of a business plan.

Osamu Masuko’s bottom line is that changes are coming, Mitsubishi is going to turn its ship around starting this year with new offerings like the Outlander Sport, and it remains committed to regaining its past success in the American market.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Mitsubishi CEO: We will not withdraw from U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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