2013 was a year of both challenge and success for the Philippine auto industry. We invited the presidents of all of the car companies to share with us their thoughts and reflections on the year that was, and insights on what to expect in 2014.
Michinobu Sugata, President
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp.
TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) definitely had a good year despite the different challenges that arose in the country. In terms of sales, TMP has registered 68,611 units for the first 11 months of 2013. With this sales level, we have already surpassed our last year’s total sales by over 3,000 units.
Moreover, Toyota experienced the highest market share since 2008 registering 41.2 percent in November alone. This year as well, Toyota ranked highest in customer satisfaction with its dealer service in the Philippines.
With these feats, I am confident that we will end the year with an even stronger sales position with the expected favourable market demand this holiday season.
Now, as we close this year and move forward to 2014, I can’t help but get eager to what we have in store for all of our customers. January alone will be fully packed as we will launch together the exciting full model change of the best-selling car brand in the world, and of course, the “rescheduling” of the very first Vios Cup!
This is just the beginning and the market can expect that 2014 will be another “wakudoki” (exciting) year for Toyota!
Hikosaburo Shibata, President & CEO
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.
THE YEAR 2013 so far has been among the best years in Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.’s history.
Early this year we commemorated our 50th anniversary, a testament of our strong presence and leadership in the Philippine automotive industry. It was also during this year when our recently launched Mirage (hatchback) received the highest honor of being awarded as 2012-2013 Car of the Year by the Car Awards Group Inc.
Mitsubishi Motors Phils. Corp. (MMPC) also managed to continue its robust sales throughout the year. In fact, we have already surpassed our 2012 total sales of 34,915 units with January to November 2013 sales reaching 38,854 units and sets forth a new record as we have also surpassed our highest sales performance that was recorded in 1996 (with 36,533 units sold).
The healthy economic and financial conditions of the country were very well reflected on the total performance of the industry. For this year we have also introduced several upgrades to some of our best-selling models Montero Sport and Strada. The Mirage G4 (sedan) was also introduced and was very well accepted by the market. This even strengthened our presence in the Passenger Car segment.
Although we rejoice for another successful year which is about to end, we also sympathize with the whole nation for the devastation brought about by the two natural calamities vastly damaging the affected provinces including our dealership in Tacloban. But truly, the spirit of Filipino resiliency will forever live as we are now moving on towards the rehabilitation and recovery.
For 2014, MMPC expects a continuous market growth and increase in demand. And with this we shall prepare to strive more to positively respond to this growth. We look forward to an even better year. MMPC will continue to bring world-class vehicles that will offer features and amenities best suited for the diverse lifestyle of our customers and at the same time are environment friendly. We shall also keep on working at our best to continuously improve our products and services to provide total customer satisfaction.
Tatsuya Natsume, President and General Manager
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.
CONGRATULATIONS to Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Motoring segment on bagging best section at a recent event. We, at Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. salute you for giving the motoring public the avenue to know the latest news about the industry and products. It is truly with much appreciation that Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. was able to build a fruitful relationship with you.
The year 2013 was a significant year for Honda. This year, we were able to introduce a new exciting product to the market, the first ever Sports Hybrid Coupe, CR-Z. It is also our pride to say that our CR-Z had its first milestone being the best selling hybrid model in the Philippines.
Through the years, Honda has earned good reputation for its continuous quest to improve its products and services. Honda has always been at the forefront of introducing the latest globally-available vehicles in the local market.
Honda vehicles, with its proven combination of dynamism and functionality, have earned its place in the hearts and minds of Filipino customers. Thanks to your support and patronage, we are encouraged not only to provide you with fresher products of the highest quality but also to further strive to be the company that society wants to exist.
We wish everyone a merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Maraming salamat po.
Atty. Albert Arcilla, President/Managing Director
Chevrolet Philippines
WE AT Chevrolet Philippines, The Covenant Car Company look forward to 2014 with much optimism as the year 2013 laid the groundwork for a breakout year for Chevrolet in 2014. We successfully launched exciting models participating in strong and large segments with our Chevrolet Spin, our All-Around Utility Vehicle that has a seven seater capacity in both diesel and gas variants, the Chevrolet Malibu and the very popular Trailblazer now in the 4×2 Automatic Variant that has created so much excitement for the brand and further re-ignited the passion for Chevrolet.
We have grown our network from 12 dealers in 2011 to 20 dealers in 2013 and shall grow to 29 dealers nationwide by the first quarter of 2014. This provides us the platform to reach out to a wider audience and serve our fast growing Chevy community.
Further, the sales growth of 60% from 2012 gives us the assurance that our Chevy community has indeed embraced our company and appreciate our work and objectives. We are humbled and elated by their trust in us and will use this as our source of strength, wisdom and creativity to enhance further our relationship with our clients and friends.
The automotive industry will be exciting and robust next year with the increasing demand for efficient, well designed and equipped vehicles. With the growing and fundamentally strong economy, we will see the continous need to provide for the mobility requirements of every Filipino that aims to be part of nation building. We too would want to actively participate in the growth potential of our nation by not only providing their vehicle requirements but assuring them of an impeccable ownership experience. We thank the motoring public for their trust and appreciation of our products and services and we look forward to connecting more people with a Chevy.
We thank God for the year that passed and we pray that we continue to be guided by His wisdom as we enter 2014. Amidst the many challenges we experienced as a nation, our faith remain steadfast as we know that our God is in control always. May the celebration of the birth of our savior renew our lives and bring joy to everyone in the coming year.
Have a very Chevy Christmas.
Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, President & CEO
Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.
HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) continues its journey through a global and regional automotive landscape that is increasingly oriented towards satisfying what the customer needs and wants.
Banking on the country’s strong economic fundamentals and upbeat consumer spending power, 2014 opens a new chapter for the company. We set out to launch lifestyle vehicles and service innovations that respond to the evolving demands of our target markets and to create a brilliant drive for the customer at all touch points.
We are one with the Philippine automotive industry in driving the Philippine economy forward in the spirit of healthy competition, delighting customers with the widest range of product and service offerings, and remain committed to opening more opportunities for all stakeholders to be more deeply involved in nation building, which is a hallmark of HARI’s being a responsible corporate citizen.
Kay Hart, Managing Director
Ford Philippines
THE YEAR 2013 has been a highlight year for us at Ford. Continued demand for our full lineup of segment-leading Ford vehicles helped build our strong business in 2013, further driving the widening appeal of our brand in the market.
The all-new Ranger has been our best-selling nameplate, highlighting how much consumers in the Philippines love its rugged and versatile appeal. The new Fiesta continues to be one of the clear leaders in the small-car segment, delivering an unmatched combination of fuel efficiency, quality and value for money in a bold and exciting package especially with the recent launch of our 1.0L EcoBoost variant. The all-new Focus, which features advanced technologies, has proven to be a hit with Filipino consumers looking for a safe and technology-packed car.
Our SUV lineup also delivered an impressive performance this year. Healthy demand for the Everest family SUV continued to rise in 2013, while orders for the upgraded and class-defining Ford Explorer steadily increased throughout the year.
The Mustang continues to be a much-aspired car. Sales of the iconic vehicle saw a significant percentage increase in 2013 compared to a year ago. Last December 5, we unveiled the sixth-generation version of the iconic pony car in simultaneous events in New York, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Shanghai, Sydney and Dearborn, Michigan.
We’re also proud of our number one ranking in JD Power’s Sales Satisfaction Index survey, which helps to underscore the progress we are making to deliver an unmatched customer service and ownership experience. Ford ranked highest overall, performing particularly well in five areas, including delivery process, delivery timing, paperwork, deal, and dealer facility. This would not have been possible without our dealer network, which now stands at 33 locations across the country.
We are truly proud of what we have accomplished as one Ford team. From our record-breaking sales performance and flawless product launches to our unprecedented dealer network growth and notable recognition in customer satisfaction, Ford continues to deliver on its brand promise to Go Further for its customers in the Philippines.
And while we count our blessings as we end the year, our thoughts go out to those affected by Typhoon Yolanda. To help relief efforts in Tacloban and nearby provinces, Ford donated US $300,000 to the Philippine Red Cross. Additionally, Ford employees around the world have given over US$120,000 in personal donations. Our focus is now on rebuilding our Tacloban dealer operations and helping our employees and their families there.
More than aspiring to be the fastest growing brand in the country, our commitment is to build our vehicles to meet the standards of our brand pillars, namely; Quality, Green, Safe and Smart. But more than building vehicles, we are also investing in research and development to build-in innovative and smart technologies into our products, giving you and your passengers a safer ride and peace of mind. And it does not end there. We are making progress and getting ready for the future – a future of safety and comfort on the road for you and your family.
Thank you for your unwavering support to Ford and I wish you and your families a meaningful celebration of the holidays. Wishing us all the best in 2014!
Ginia Domingo, President
Columbian Autocar Corp.
COLUMBIAN Autocar Corporation welcomes 2014 with renewed purpose and excitement. Columbian Autocar Corporation puts 2013 to bed with gratefulness for overcoming its challenges and importantly, marking milestones.
Kia in the Philippines hosted the 2013 Asia Distributors Convention and won the highest honors for the Kia Sales Customer Satisfaction Survey; has offered the all- new Kia Carens in 2013; and was proudly first to bring a car brand to the island of Batanes for a historic drive.
Kia was also first to capture the interest of 400,000 online netizens, and reinforce its interest in sports marketing by renewing its support to the Philippine Azkals, and give support to the signing of participation in the Global Football Club.
Continuing our celebration of hard work in 2013, Kia was recognized by several international service awards—Best in Warranty Operations; Excellence in Training, both awarded by Kia Motors Corporation; and 3rd in JD Power Customer Service—in response to sincere customer care.
As we have grown into our own these past years, we have in turn have given back.
We have provided free select maintenance parts to 1,000 Kia customers; conferred three Filipinos as Kia ambassadors.
Columbian Autocar Corp and its employees were one with the nation in trying to help out and donating to the victims of Yolanda. And we continue to help through Kia’s service support to our Kia community.
We are offering free, select maintenance parts, and 8 hours of free labor; and will provide professional assessments by Kia engineers to areas in Tacloban, Ormoc, and even Bohol beginning this Jan. 6 to Feb. 28, 2014.
Our year-long 20th anniversary programs will center around giving customers better products, better customer care and exciting programs that will be enjoyed by both current customers and new owners.
Join us as we look towards a brighter future.
Maricar C. Parco, President
Asian Carmakers Corporation
2013 IS another banner year for BMW in the Philippines. As of November, we have sold 581 units, cornering 33 percent of the market. This solidifies the market leadership of BMW in the luxury car segment for the past 11 years. This is a feat for the company, considering the declining sales of the luxury car segment brought about by several political and environmental factors that hounded the country this year.
Product innovation and customer focus are key to BMW’s continued success. This year, we have launched the all-new 3 Series Gran Turismo, the latest model in the 3 Series line-up that presents the perfect interplay between design and space. We continue to expand our dealer network with the opening of our eighth dealership, AutoAllee BMW in Eton Centris, Quezon City, which showcases the latest in dealer facilities with world-class architecture and design. BMW is also the first to launch an operational lease program in the luxury car market—Flexilease—that provides customers another way to experience sheer driving pleasure.
The year 2014 is going to be an exciting year for BMW, as we continue to strengthen our leadership in the luxury car segment. Exciting new products and other offerings will be introduced as we continue to expand and create segments that have not been tapped before. As a preview of what’s in store for next year, we will soon be launching the all-new BMW 4 Series, as well as the most successful vehicle in its class, the all-new BMW X5.
We thank the Filipino market for their continued patronage of the BMW brand. Rest assured that we will continue to strive to provide the market with the ultimate JOY of sheer driving pleasure.
Felix R. Ang, President
CATS Motors, Inc.
FIRST of all, I wish to congratulate the members of the Inquirer Motoring team for winning the “Best Motoring Section” title in the recently concluded Henry Ford Awards.
This year is full of challenges, specially for our fellow Filipinos in the Visayas region who got heavily hit by the earthquake and Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Together with Daimler AG, I am thankful that we were able to take part in helping in the relief efforts. After hearing about the devastation of Yolanda, Daimler AG gave P30 million to the German Red Cross for vital relief supplies intended for the typhoon victims. We continue to sympathize with our fellow Filipinos in the Visayas and will look into areas for cooperation to continue to help.
We also wish to thank our customers who have patronized us all these years as we look forward to celebrating our 25th year in business next year. Looking back this year, we are pleased with our successful new model launches of the flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the E-Class as well as the A-class. With this in mind, it will be our continuing quest to look for ways on how we can serve our customers better by further strengthening our organization.
Aside from our Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge and JEEP brands, we also introduced another icon, the Harley-Davidson brand this year with positive results. Our buyers can always look forward to something new and exciting from us as we are already planning for our 2014 introductions, including the Mercedes-Benz CLA and other new variants to further expand our line up. From the Chrysler Group, we will be introducing the new Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab as well as other exciting variants in the months to come.
Lastly, may I take this opportunity to greet your readers a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year for 2014!
Felix J. Mabilog, Jr., President & COO
Eurobrands Distributor Inc.
FIRST of all, let me take this opportunity to thank the Filipino buying public for their very enthusiastic acceptance of Peugeot. Since we introduced the brand late last year, we have been getting great feedback on our products, namely the 3008 Crossover, the 5008 Compact MPV, the 508 Executive Sedan and the RCZ Sports Coupé. Our continuously growing sales numbers have reinforced this and all this positivity has driven us at Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI) to work even harder to bring in better and more exciting products from Peugeot.
In the coming months, EDI will introduce a couple of brand new products that will excite the public even more. First there is the Peugeot Expert Tepee, a people carrier that is bound to set new standards in comfort and exclusivity. This 9-seater family van will definitely address the needs of more discerning families who expect more from their vans. Fitted with the same fuel saving 2.0-liter HDi engine that powers some of the vehicles in our current line up, it also marries practicality with fuel efficiency. Let me assure you that this is also one van owners would love to drive themselves.
Then there is the Peugeot 208 GTi, a sporty hot hatchback that adds its qualities of comfort, multi-role ability and spaciousness in a distinctly chic package. The 208 GTi’s 1.6-liter THP petrol engine is an absolute joy to work with. Coupled with a manual gearbox with six close-ration gears, the engine delivers with gusto. With its maximum torque of 275Nm and its maximum power of 200bhp, the Peugeot 208 GTi accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in less than 7 seconds! I am confident that it will be adjudged by many as the most fun and exciting car to be introduced in 2014.
We have plans of bringing in a couple of other models as the year progresses by I am not at liberty to reveal what those are at the moment. On top of this, we will continue our relentless dealer development efforts that will take our products closer to the buying public. This much I will say … it will be a very exciting year for Peugeot and for Peugeot fans in the Philippines. Watch as this lion roars out loud in 2014!
John Philip Orbeta, President
Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc.
FIRST of all, allow me to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to Philippine Daily Inquirer and its readers for the fervent and enthusiastic support we received during the re-launch of Volkswagen in the country.
Being a comeback brand entailed a variety of challenges. Being one of the newest players in the industry for 2013, we had our fair share of birth pains and start-up issues. Nonetheless, there are still many things to be thankful for: the warm welcome we received from the automotive industry, the interest and support from the general public and car enthusiasts who braved the rains to attend the People’s Car Celebration, and the press who provided the medium for us to convey our message that Volkswagen is back and is here to stay.
Looking forward, I am very much optimistic and excited for 2014. A lot can be expected as we continue to introduce and build more awareness about the Volkswagen brand. Customers can look forward to product launches and new variants to be made available, as well as new dealerships in the Metro and provincial areas, complemented with excellent & efficient aftersales service.
The Volkswagen brand has come a long way from the initial notion of being the People’s Car; our products now are more diverse and targeted to fit the varying needs of people from all walks of life. We will have a fairly extensive model line-up next year and we at ACEI are confident that we can slowly but surely engrain the VW brand and products to become the vehicle of choice for every customer.
Finally, with these new ventures and products, we expect to contribute to the steady growth of the local automotive industry, thereby cementing our commitment to the consumers that Volkswagen is here to stay. We know that achieving these objectives will not be possible without the coverage of reputable broadsheets such as PDI, so allow me to reiterate my heartfelt thanks for the support since the brand launch. We look forward to sharing more triumphs in 2014 and the years to come.
Steven Tan, CEO
Berjaya Auto Phils.
ALL THINGS considered, I am pleased with the progress we have made so far this year in our first year of business operation. As of the end of November, Mazda’s sales have already exceeded the auto industry’s pace by more than three times. Between January and November, we have sold 2,117 vehicles compared to 1,344 sold in the same period last year.
With the exception of the new Mazda 6, the rest of the vehicle line-up has remained the same— therefore the growth had come from across the portfolio of Mazda 2, Mazda 3, CX-5, BT-50, and of course the terrific new Mazda 6.
According to CAMPI’s report, the Mazda’s growth of 58 percent over last year’s sales makes Mazda the fastest growing brand in the country by a substantial margin over other growing auto brands.
This is also a year where different people from different background came together to create a new Mazda distribution company—40 percent of our people came from non-automotive industries—from hotel, construction firm, call centers, fast food company, internet service provider, logistics and so on.
It is very exciting to experience a group of people from such diverse backgrounds and different automotive cultures working together to form a totally new culture and values. It is an incredible experience and such an honor to work with them in the service of our dealers and customers.
Our dealer network is also getting stronger every month— many of their employees who left last year are starting to come back when they saw the transformation of the Mazda brand.
The dealer network also expanded during the year, with the establishment of Mazda Pasig, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cavite and Mazda Iloilo. In January, Mazda Davao will open as the 15th Mazda dealership in the Philippines. Next year we can look forward to a few more new dealership openings.
There is still a lot of work to do and lots of improvement in ways for us and our dealers the service of our Mazda customers—this work will never cease and we will continue to work tirelessly to make our customers happy. We thank our Mazda customers for their patience and support as we re-build their trust in the new Mazda.
The next few years will bring even more excitement for everyone—there are new products in the pipeline ever year for the next 3-4 years to come, and they are very, very exciting products. The future is bright and full of opportunities for Mazda dealers, their employees and customers.
Willy Tee Ten, President
Autohub Group of Companies/MINI/Rolls Royce
MINI is doing okay, and hopefully we could still add more MINIs on the road before the year ends.
We started with Rolls-Royce in the latter part of 2013, and just recently, we put up an interim facility in Bonifacio Global City that is why I feel it’s a bit early to conclude a year for Rolls-Royce.
We launched this year the provincial Piaggio Ape Dealers in Cavite, Mandaue Cebu, Naga Bicol, and Zamboanga.
In our dealerships’ side, we opened Ford Bohol, Ford General Santos and Ford Zamboanga facilities alongside with the renovation of our other Ford dealerships. And from Global City, we moved our Hyundai facility in Pasong Tamo, Makati.
Autohub Group in general is expanding further in the Visayan and Mindanao regions especially because of our commercial vehicle line called the Piaggio Ape targeting the commuters and delivery businesses in provinces where tricycles, and multi-cabs are commodities.
For 2014, there will be launches for MINI and we look forward to our next MINI dealership in Cebu. We will also be launching the Rolls-Royce Wraith to our clients, and hopefully our permanent facility for Rolls-Royce at The Fort as well.
This year we’ve encountered a lot of difficult times. The civil war in Mindanao, especially our Zamboanga dealerships for both Ford and Piaggio Ape, the earthquake in Cebu where we are putting up now our MINI dealership and launched Piaggio Ape Mandaue, and the earthquake in Bohol where Ford Bohol is. And to wrap up the year, Typhoon Yolanda caused huge damage in the Visayan region. Our showrooms were not really damaged because of all these but the families of our employees were greatly affected.
I’m really looking forward to the coming year. I hope it will be a better year for all of us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dear clients for the continued support they’re giving to Autohub Group, because it is in them that we see the hope to further expand our reach to others. We will definitely try our very best to serve you better next year.
As a nation, it is now the time to move on. Let us reunite to help our country in our own little way. I am still one with my goal of giving more jobs to our fellow Filipinos. Employing them so they can make the lives of their families better is already a huge fulfillment. May God bless us all this Christmas and wishing everyone a prosperous year ahead.
“Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon po sa inyong lahat!”
Roberto Coyiuto III
Lamborghini Manila President/PGA Cars Director/Porsche Managing Director
THE YEAR 2013 was an exciting year for PGA Cars. It was filled with events and product launches from Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley. For the first quarter of the year, Audi introduced the A1 Sportback, the Q3, the product improved Q5, and the A6 2.0 TDI. Audi also held the exciting Audi Driving Experience in February. Audi Germany sent 17 S and RS models models for the race track event. In January, Porsche introduced the Cayenne GTS, the most powerful and agile naturally-aspirated Cayenne with 420 hp and 515 nm. In February, Lamborghini Manila presented the Lamborghini LP-560-4 Final Edition.
In the 2nd quarter of the year, Anne Curtis became the brand ambassadress for Audi, the ‘Princess of all media’, as the brand’s ambassador in the Philippines. Lamborghini Manila together with the Italian embassy celebrated the 50 years of Lamborghini during Italian Day. Porsche, in May introduced the new Cayman and Boxster. It was also in the same quarter when PGA Cars brought in Bentley. During its launch last May 8 attended by 6 top Bentley executives from the UK, Bentley Manila already offered the full model line-up of Bentley.
In the 3rd quarter, Audi introduced the new R8. The new R8, equipped with an all-new S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, was unveiled in Audi Global City. As an added treat, Audi hosted an exclusive movie special screening of “The Wolverine” where the new Audi R8 was prominently featured. But Audi did not stop with the R8; in September, it launched the new RS4 Avant. Audi also launched its leasing program in the 3rd quarter of 2013.
Porsche started off October with the celebration of 50 years of its iconic 911 sports car where owners of various generations congregated and celebrated their love of this car. In addition, a nostalgic display of the seven generations of the 911 served as the centerpiece of the event. It was also in October when Porsche brought in the new Panamera executive, the long wheel base version of the model. In December, Porsche celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia (PTRCA) in the 4th quarter. To date, the PTRCA has trained and deployed 143 graduates. During the said event, Porsche donated 50,000 euros to Don Bosco Mondo Worldwide. The donation aims to fund the rebuilding of schools in the Visayas that were affected by Supertyphoon Yolanda. In addition, PTRCA will be choosing its 12th class of scholars from the said region to give young people the rare opportunity to be trained and to land secure jobs as Service Mechatronics in Porsche’s global network worldwide. This will help the scholars rebuild their lives and the homes of their families. Finally, Bentley in November introduced the new Flying Spur, its most powerful 4-door sedan.
Next year will be an even more exciting year for PGA Cars. Audi will be bringing in the all-new A3 Sedan and the new A8. Porsche will have a very busy year with its top models—the new 911 Turbo and the 911 GT3. Porsche will also introduce a whole new SUV model line—the Macan, the first sports car in its segment.
Bentley will start customer delivery of the new Flying Spur. Lamborghini will also be introducing a new V10 super car, the Lamborghini Huracan, the successor to the celebrated Gallardo model line, while the new Aventador Roaster will be launched in mid-2014.
PGA Cars is optimistic about 2014 being an exciting year considering the new models being introduced by all our four major luxury and ultra luxury brands. We just hope there will be a more healthy market environment.
Dr. Wayne Y. Lee, President
Universal Motors Corp.
WE WERE pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming consumer response to our “It’s More Fun in an UrVan” program, which echoed the “It’s More Fun in Philippines” global campaign to attract more tourists to visit and more businesses to locate here. The high double-digit growth in unit volume sales meant that more Filipinos seized on the opportunity to use the Urvan as their platform of choice to launch their entreprenurial dreams. We are proud to have played a part in their empowerment. And with the introduction of the Navara GTX, the latest version of the multi-awarded Nissan Navara, we continue to provide light commercial vehicles that are regarded as best in class.
Typhoon Yolanda, which caused widespread devastation, the deaths of 6,100, and adversely impacted the lives of many Filipinos, will reduce overall vehicle demand from the 210,000 unit growth originally forecast for 2013. But there is a silver lining in every cloud. The commitment of President Aquino and the government to rebuild means a new beginning and a brighter future ahead. At UMC, we understand adversity and rising to meet challenges is in our DNA. We hope to play a role in these rebuilding efforts.
In 2014, UMC will celebrate its 60th year as the oldest and only 100 percent Filipino owned vehicle assembler and distributor. We will join Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan) as a partner in a new unified national sales distributorship. The partnership will strengthen a relationship that spans more than four decades and marks a joint commitment to reestablishing Nissan as a premier brand in the Philippines.
Together, we see a promising future for the automotive industry. But the government must promptly decide on its vision for the MVDP and the role of the automotive industry in economic development. In light commercial vehicles, the ability to globally multi-source components that complement the capabilities of local suppliers means that it is possible to develop and assemble products that are well suited to local conditions and needs at a cost that is competitive, employs Filipino labor, and fosters R&D.
Let’s all move forward together in a new spirit of national purpose.
Rommel Sytin, President
Foton Motor Philippines
2013 WAS generally a good year for automotive industry. As our economy grew, most of the industry member’s sales volume increased. Foton achieved 15 percent growth in sales for 2013.
The Foton Big Show, our exclusive exhibition of the complete product line of Foton Philippines, which we’ve done for three consecutive years already, remains to be the most awaited event of our loyal customers. This year, we launched a new member in our van line-up—the View Traveller, powered by a Cummins engine. Other things that made the year special were the awards and recognitions we received. First is the Technical Advancement Award given by CAGI for the Foton Thunder, and six awards from Beiqi Foton Overseas Division, our principal, for the outstanding Sales and Aftersales Achievements and marketing initiatives of Foton Philippines.
The numerous calamities that our country experienced this 2013 had a great impact on us. Aside from our dealerships getting caught in the middle of these calamities, it has also greatly affected a lot of local businesses, which consequently also affected the purchasing capability of our target market.
Foton will continue to provide world-standard quality vehicles adopting the technology of world-renowned partners, such as Cummins and Daimler.
As a commercial vehicle brand, we want to be able to help move our economy forward by providing affordable and quality vehicles to and for different industries.
Our commitment to our customer is to be an instrument in enriching their lives and empowering their business by providing the products and aftersales service that they need and more.
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