BMW, Suzuki set to expand dealerships

Manila, Philippines -  Two car firms are expanding their dealerships this year in line with expectations of higher vehicle sales, officials said.

Asian Carmakers Corp. executive director Glen Dasig told reporters the BMW distributor is set to open a new dealership next month and another one in the first quarter of next year to add to its existing six-dealer network.

“We will add one next month in Bacolod and in the first quarter next year, we will add another one in Metro Manila...in Eton Centris (in Quezon City),” he said.

Asian Carmakers has dealerships in Alabang, Makati and Libis in Metro Manila, as well as in Pampanga, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

The firm is expanding its dealer network as it expects higher car sales.

Dasig declined to give a specific projection for sales but said the firm expects to sell more cars this year compared to the 792 units sold in 2011 given strong domestic economic growth.

Suzuki Philippines Inc. is likewise planning to grow its nationwide dealer network.

“Currently, we have around 20 dealerships. Toward the end of the year, maybe we will expand to 25,” Suzuki president Satoshi Uchida said in an interview with reporters.

For next year, he said Suzuki is looking to increase the number of dealers to 35.

He said the firm wants to increase its presence in the country to better cater to demand for cars.

The firm said earlier that it raised its sales target this year to 5,500 units from an initial projection of 5,000 on the back of the country’s impressive economic performance.

Last year, Suzuki sold 4,000 vehicles.

Uchida said the firm may introduce new models within the year depending on market demand.

At present, Suzuki is selling eight models in the country: S-Concept, SX4 Crossover, Swift, Kizashi, Jimny, APV, Celerio and Alto-K10.