HARI is new distributor for Hyundai commercial vehicles

The HD65 is Hyundai’s contender in the light truck category.

THE FUTURE is big, according to Hyundai. Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) is expanding its lineup as it was appointed the distributor for the brand’s commercial vehicles in the Philippines.

The appointment coincides with its 15th year as the distributor for Hyundai passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Filipinos are now familiar with cars such as the Tucson, Elantra, Accent, Santa Fe, and Genesis Coupe, thanks to the consistent marketing efforts of HARI.

HARI’s ascent to the Top 3 in the automotive market began with one commercial vehicle. The Starex minivan became a runaway success and paved the way for consumers to consider other vehicles from the Hyundai brand. Now, HARI is bringing in the larger commercial vehicles as well.

Hyundai HD 270 dump truck can haul up to 22 tons of cargo

The initial commercial vehicle lineup will include: the HD65, HD72, and HD78 light trucks; the HD270 dump truck in the heavy-duty category; and the H350 Bus, H350 Van, and the County (29+1) in the bus category. The H350 Van is also convertible to bus.

The vehicles are manufactured by Hyundai Motor Co., one of the world’s biggest commercial vehicle producers. Hyundai promises that the commercial vehicles will carry world-class design and engineering.

The vehicles will reportedly deliver exceptional ride, handling, strength, durability, and safety. The trucks and buses will use Hyundai’s own high-grade steel. They are field-tested to perform as required, in the most grueling applications.

Hyundai H350 is a versatile bus:van:truck with reportedly class-leading cabin space, visibility and handling.

HARI president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said, “The timing is just perfect. All the essential ingredients that favor our new venture are in place: a stable economy to support the demand, industries on a steady growth track, upbeat consumer confidence, a vibrant new market that welcomes new players, and an enabling policy environment characterized by the implementation of the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) and new landmark policies designed to boost the competitiveness of Philippine business in the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

“We are experiencing the third wave of motorization, meaning that from year 2015 to 2022, more and more Filipinos can easily own a motor vehicle. Hyundai’s strategic investment in the Philippine commercial vehicle sector is spot-on, and nothing short of brilliant. We are in the best position to bring new value to a new market and to drive the ascent of the economy, in alignment with the national roadmap to advance the competitive advantage of Philippine businesses in the Asean.”

Hyundai foresees rapid growth in the large commercial vehicle segment. This is partly due to increased government spending in infrastructure projects. HARI cited the $2.9-billion worth of public-private partnership projects that are to be implemented, with 80 percent of these being infrastructure related. Hari also foresees another $7 to 12 billion in infrastructure investment, many of which will require substantial hauling capacity. The third wave of Philippine motorization is predicted to last until at least 2020.

Hari sees an advantage with the implementation of the AKFTA. The agreement lowers importation costs and will potentially allow Hari to price the vehicles with better value.

The local distributor will utilize its new Hyundai Logistics Center in Calamba, Laguna, to provide support for the commercial vehicle in terms of service and parts. Hari has deployed its Hyundai Customer Assistance and Response Center (CARES) as the only in-house contact center in the local automotive industry. CARES handles and responds to customer concerns.

Agudo added, “We are living a new normal with the [AEC] upon us, and so in the spirit of the Hyundai brand slogan ‘New Thinking. New Possibilities,’ we are stepping up with the entire business community to take the region forward and redefine our business the Asean way, holding true to our commitment to support the current and future administration’s drive toward sustainable and inclusive growth.