Honda sees 6%-10% sales growth next year

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) is projecting a sales growth of between six to 10 percent next year, according to Arnel Doria, HCPI deputy head for marketing.

Honda is optimistic that its sales would grow next year even if the prospects for the entire domestic vehicle industry is flat, Doria said.

Doria sees a flat growth for the domestic car industry, commenting that "the market is not expanding."

Honda, on the other hand, expects higher sales next year as it foresees continued patronage of its models among the middle class segment.

"We foresee a six-to 10-percent growth next year because there is great demand from middle class buyers," Doria said.

There is great interest particularly, Doria said, in the Civic model which is being manufactured at Honda’s Santa Rosa, Laguna plant.

HCPI produces about 12,000 to 13,000 Civic units for the domestic market.

However, Doria said that Honda’s production of the Civic model cannot meet demand for the model.

Thus, Doria said, "we will focus on the Civic production because the demand is higher than our production."

The demand for the Civic model has helped Honda regain the number two spot in overall motor vehicle industry sales.

Aside from the Civic model, Honda also sell the much smaller City, the premium Accord and the mid-size sports utility vehicle CR-V and full size Pilot SUV.