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.

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.

Toyota accounted for nearly a third of the industry’s sales of new vehicles for last year, but has been losing share to the likes of Honda and Mitsubishi as well as Korean and Chinese auto makers.

The company ended 2008 with 38.2 percent of local new-vehicle sales, up from 36.9 percent in 2007.

Preliminary estimates give Toyota 34.9 percent market share in 2009.

Earlier, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. said it aimed to grow sales by 4 percent this year, to 132,000 units, on increased demand for new vehicles sustained by remittances from abroad and the stable financing environment.

The chamber’s president, Elizabeth Lee, said during the group’s yearend briefing that the automotive industry exceeded its sales target of 125,000 units for 2009 by 2,000 units.

“We grew 2.3 percent in 2009. The strong sales started in September and the trend was sustained up to December.,’’ Lee said.

“A faster replacement rate due to typhoon Ondoy, sustained remittances, and the stable financing environment coupled with aggressive marketing by dealerships helped boost industry sales amid the difficult environment.’’’

by Elaine R. Alanguilan
Manila Standard Today

In a statement, Toyota said that the new line is composed of the Hilux pick-up truck, Fortuner compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), and Innova multipurpose vehicle (MPV). The company said the improvement of the IMV aims to further strengthen the company’s number one position in the commercial vehicle segment.

The country’s top-selling commercial vehicle, the Innova, offers more convenience with an automatic up/ down power driver.

The Hilux, the country’s highest selling pick up truck, enhances its current line up with improvements which includes driver’s airbag, seatbelt warning, 4 spoke steering wheel, power doorlocks, and front fog lamps.

The new Fortuner’s comfort is ensured with its double wishbone front suspension system. Convenience is also prioritized with an automatic up/ down power driver window for all variants.

Despite the weak sales performance, the auto industry remains upbeat.

For January to August, industry sales stood at only, 82,081 units, down from 83,196 units sold during the same period the previous year.

However, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) said that they remain cautiously optimistic because the industry posted better year to date sales when compared to the previous month.

“We are thankful that sales improved though slightly in terms of year to date figures. The industry remains positive and is banking on continued and stronger OFW remittances which will spur consumption coupled with auto loans seen to grow as well in the coming months,” CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said.

“So far, lower rates have helped auto sales, “she added.

Lee described August as a ghost month with August sales 8.8 percent lower than July.

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, The Philippine Star

In an interview, TMP vice president Rommel Gutierrez said they have already asked the Board of Investments (BOI) for an extension of their four-year ITH to six years.

Gutierrez said that initially, BOI classified Innova as a non pioneer project. But given that it is an Asian vehicle, Gutierrez said that it can be re-classified as a pioneering project. Under the law, pioneer projects are given six years ITH, he said.

If the BOI does not grant their request, Gutierrez said the cost for producing the Innova will go up. Gutierrez said he is not certain as to how this will affect the product.

Innova is one of the two vehicles being produced in their Sta. Rosa plant. The other is Vios. Gutierrez said the ITH for the car is good for a couple more years.

Toyota has already reduced their production of Innova and Vios, the two vehicles assembled in their Sta. Rosa plant, by 10 percent. The move was done as a result of the slowdown in consumer demand worldwide.

Angel Dimalanta, president of the Automotive Industrial Workers Alliance (AIWA) said Toyota has removed one shift every week. Instead of producing Vios and Innova on their Laguna plant, Dimalanta said the workers were asked to do maintenance work.

Dimalanta said the Toyota Plant in Sta. Rosa operates five days a week. Each day is divided into two eight-hour shifts. He said one of the Monday shift has been cancelled since mid January.

According to Dimalanta, a total of 40 units are being produced each shift or 20 units of Innova and 20 units of Vios.

Before the cancellation of one of the Monday shifts, Dimalanta said the plant produces 400 units per week. He said he does not know till when the reduced shift will last. “There is no definite date. It will be like this until the market improves,” he said.

Target production for this year is 12,000 units.

When asked about the 10-percent reduction in production, Gutierrez said “our production continues with some rationalization of costs to manage our overhead.” Gutierrez refused to elaborate on the matter.

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, Philippine Star