Honda sees 20% hike in car sales

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) is expecting a 20-percent hike in car sales this year to 15,000 units from last year’s 12,500 units, HCPI president and general manager Kenji Otaka said yesterday.

The expected 20-percent increase in total sales this year is considered a turnaround from the downturn recorded last year as demand weakened substantially due to unfavorable economic conditions.

Honda expects to attract new buyers with the formal introduction yesterday of its new Honda Civic. The new Civic, which features a new exterior and interior design, is being offered at the same price level as that of the older model.

The new Honda Civic offers three grades, the LXi, the VTi and the VTi-S and comes either with a manual or automatic transmission. Prices range from a low of P663,000 for the manual Lxi model to P798,000 for the top of the line automatic VTi-S model.

Otaka declined to reveal yet if Honda plans to introduce a new CRV model this year. "It is too early to announce," the Honda executive said.

Honda’s sport utility vehicle–the CRV– has been one of its bestsellers, ranking higher in terms of sales performance than its competitor the Toyota RAV 4.

"Honda’s edge is also its commitment to quality and after sales service," Otaka said.