Mazda expects 33% drop in sales

MANILA, Philippines - Mazda Motor Corp. expects a 33-percent drop in sales in the country this year from a year ago as it focuses on the introduction of new vehicle models in 2013, a company executive said.

Yuji Nakamine, director and senior managing executive officer of Mazda Motor Corp. told reporters on Wednesday night that they expect sales in the Philippines to reach 2,000 units this year, lower than the 3,000 units sold a year ago.

“Sales will be lower because of the transition to a new generation product,” he said.

He said the company is set to introduce new vehicle models next year.

He declined to give projections on sales for next year but said the sales performance is likely going to improve from this year’s as the company launches new models and given a new distributorship.

Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. and Mazda Motor signed the distribution agreement of Mazda vehicles for the Philippine market on Wednesday.

Berjaya Auto acquired the rights to distribute Mazda vehicles in the country from Ford Group Philippines.

Berjaya Auto’s distributorship of Mazda vehicles will start in January of next year.

“We expect the volume (of sales) next year is going to be higher than this year’s because of their (Berjaya Auto’s) capability and because of the new products coming in,” Nakamine said.

Berjaya Auto chief executive officer Steven Tan told reporters on Wednesday night the firm intends to open new dealerships next year on top of the existing nine to expand its reach.

“The Philippines has a lot of upside potential,” he said.

Mazda vehicles being sold in the Philippines are the Mazda 2, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, CX-5, CX-9, MX-5 and BT-50. The vehicles are being imported from Japan and Thailand.