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

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

Mitsubishi Philippines: No Alternative Fuel-Fed Vehicles for RP

The lack or real demand and necessary infrastructure in the country made Mitsubishi Motors Corp. hold back on bringing its alternative fuel-fired vehicles to the local market.

MMC president Osamu Masuko said the company was already selling its biofuel-fed models in Europe, as well as compressed natural gas-fired vehicles in Thailand.

“If the Philippine market needs CNG and biofuel vehicles, we can supply such cars anytime,” he said.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. president and chief executive Masahiko Ueki said, however, that this decision was hinged on whether the was big enough market here such vehicles. Read more

Lancer Assembly Back to Filipino Hands

The return of the Mitsubishi Lancer to Philippine assembly lines was marked with the relaunch of the 2010 Lancer EX a few weeks ago.

The sedan was unveiled as the 500,000th unit to roll off Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.’s (MMPC) Rizal plant since 1964, when it began manufacturing in the country under Chrysler Philippines Corp.

The decision to revive local production instead of sourcing the vehicle from Thailand is claimed to boost MMPC’s manufacturing capabilities via a P200-million investment and also shield the unit from forex fluctuations, officials said.

Before this, Mitsubishi’s local unit only made utility vehicles, trucks, vans and buses. Read more

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Achieves Milestone

May 5, 1964 marked a significant milestone in the Philippine automotive history as Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation or MMPC (then known as Chrysler Philippines) commenced the local production of models such as the Dodge Colt, Minica, Lancer and Cimarron. Since then, Mitsubishi has become a brand synonymous with quality and excellence. It comes as no surprise that MMPC marked their 500,000th unit of cumulative production with the recommencement of passenger car production at its sprawling Cainta plant after seven years of absence.

Though production and assembly at its 75,786 square-meter facility hasn’t stopped, MMPC concentrated its efforts on the assembly of commercial vehicles such as the Adventure and L300; and light-duty trucks like the Fuzo. However, as a part of its global strategy, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) invested P200 million to modernize and fully equip MMPC to assemble the award-winning Lancer EX compact sedan. In order to do so, improvements were made to MMPC’s facilities in the areas of new jigs & fixtures, new welding lines featuring spot-welding robots and all-new trim and final conveyor lines containing a new ECU coding system. All of these changes and improvements were made to make sure the locally-assembled Lancer EX meets the exacting global standards of MMC. Read more

Mitsubishi Philippines Clarifies Repair Delays for Flooded Vehicles

Due to the significant number of flood-damaged vehicles coming in Mitsubishi Motors service centers particularly in Metro Manila and nearby Luzon areas, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines has issued a statement explaining delays encountered in repairing these units.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Vice President for Customer Service Department said that “We request for further understanding from our customers regarding the delays in repairing their flood damaged vehicles. Our dealers are doing their best effort to accommodate everyone and all of them are working in full force to avoid inconvenience to our valued customers. Because the volume of repairs has already exceeded our dealer capacity, our dealers are now taking initiative to secure additional space to accommodate these vehicles.” Read more

Mitsubishi Philippines Continues Winning Streak

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) sales continue a favorable trend in spite of the slump in auto sales worldwide caused by the global financial crisis. MMPC posted an impressive 31.3% increase for the first seven months the year compared to the same period last year. Total vehicle sales in the Philippines for the same period is slightly weaker by 2.4% compared to last year. MMPC sold a total of 12,959 units from January to July accounting to 18 percent market share or 4.6 percentage points higher than its market share attainment last year.

MMPC also posted increases in all of the industry categories. Mitsubishi passenger cars grew by 13% with the sales improvement in Lancer 1.6 and Lancer EX 2.0 models. Light Commercial Vehicles increased by 33% due to Montero Sport, Adventure, Strada and L300 models while Fuso Trucks and Bus models also grew by 32%. With this performance, MMPC maintained its ranking as the 2nd best selling automotive brand in the Philippine market. Read more

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Introduces the 2010 Galant SE

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) further adds excitement to its vehicle line-up as it introduces the new 2010 Mitsubishi Galant SE. Exuding class and sophistication, the all-new Galant is loaded with stylish and high tech features that best suit an executive car. MMPC’s President and CEO, Mr. Masahiko Ueki said that “The intro of the all-new Galant reinforces MMPC’s passenger car lineup and gives us the opportunity to improve further our total passenger car market share.”

This Euro inspired styled sedan measures 4,885 mm in length, 1,840 mm in width and 1,480 mm in height. Cabin room length is 1,997 mm, translating to more legroom for its passengers. The front grille features a new design chrome radiator with the striking three-diamond mark. High Intensity Discharge (HID) main lamps with user-selectable level adjustment provide a brilliant view of the road during night time driving. Electronically controlled side mirrors (with power folding functions) were integrated with side turning lamps. Each side of the car is caressed by protective door mouldings with chrome insert. Other distinct touch to the all-new Galant SE inherent to European cars is its fin-type antenna mounted on the rear edge of the roof. Read more

Mitsubishi tops Philippines survey

Mitsubishi jumped positions from last year to rank highest in overall new vehicle sales satisfaction in the Philippines, according to a JD Power sales satisfaction survey.

Mitsubishi scored 841/1,000, doing particularly well in the delivery process. Honda and Mazda followed, with both brands improving on 2008 scores. Chevrolet, Kia and Toyota were above the industry average of 833, a 10-point decline from 2008.

Delivery timing from order placement to keys in hand was the biggest gripe though the average was down about a day to four days. Read more

Honda and Mitsubishi Rank Highest in a Tie in Philippines Customer Service Satisfaction Study

Honda and Mitsubishi rank highest in a tie in customer satisfaction with authorized dealer after-sales service, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2009 Philippines Customer Service Index (CSI) Study^SM released today.

The study, now in its ninth year and redesigned for 2009, measures customer satisfaction with authorized dealer after-sales service in the Philippines by examining five key factors: service quality; vehicle pickup; service initiation; service advisor; and service facility. Customer service performance is reported as an index score based on a 1,000-point scale.

Among the 11 manufacturers included in the study, Honda and Mitsubishi rank highest in a tie, each receiving a score of 814. Honda performs particularly well in the vehicle pickup, service initiation, service advisor and service facility factors. Mitsubishi performs particularly well in service quality, which has the greatest impact on overall customer service satisfaction. Nissan ranks third with a score of 810, followed by Kia, Mazda and Toyota, respectively. The six vehicle makes round out the manufacturers performing above the industry average. Read more

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