BMW expects 1-digit sales growth

MANILA, Philippines - Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), the local distributor of BMW vehicles, expects a single digit growth in sales this year as the automotive market stabilizes.

ACC sold 792 units in 2011, a growth of 19.3 percent over 2010. In the first quarter of 2012, the company sold 103 units, down 37.2 percent from 164 units sold in the same period last year.

ACC sold 36 units in March 2012, down 41 percent from 61 units sold in the same period last year. In February, it sold 32 units.

“The first quarter has been challenging for us, being the quarter prior to the tsunami (in Thailand). Month-on-month, the trending is strong and we are optimistic for the second half (of the year) which we think will lead us to a growth over last year,” said ACC sales and marketing director Glen Dasig.

He said customers are delaying their purchase and are “adopting a wait-and-see-attitude.”

“People are delaying their purchases. The market preference for buying was hampered by two natural disasters (tsunami in Japan in March 2011 and flooding in Thailand in the last quarter of 2011). I think we are still in recovery mode. The market is still not in a stable behavior so to speak,” Dasig said.

He said that with the introduction of the new B series within the year, ACC would be able to “recoup the (sales) gap in the first quarter. “

The B Series has variants that run on diesel.

“I believe that the market is still driven by products. The road can be initiated by introducing what people want and aspire for,” said Dasig. 

“We will have diesel-powered vehicles. I believe diesel is very strong in terms of product want. Consumers, even though they’re buying luxury vehicles are very responsible and concerned individuals so I think having a clean engine, pure emission, while maintaining performance. That’s what we will offer. So you get diesel, pure, emission, better power. That’s the promise of the vehicle,” he added.

ACC yesterday formally turned over a fleet of 5-series units to the government to be used during the Asian Development Bank Annual Governors’ Meeting to be held from May 2 to 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

BMW has been designated as the “premium mobility sponsor” for the event. The 5-Series was chosen because of its reputation for “performance, fuel efficiency and safety.”