HARI sets 25,000 sales target this yr

MANILA, Philippines - The local distributor of Hyundai vehicles is optimistic it will meet the 25,000 units projected sales this year with supply expected to normalize starting this month.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) president and chief executive officer Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo told reporters at the sidelines of the Innovation Congress (ICON) held yesterday that despite lower sales in the first two months of the year compared to the previous year amid supply problems, the firm still expects to meet its projected sales for the year.

“We’re still on track to reach 25,000 units for the year,” she said.

“Hopefully starting this fourth month, given a normal supply level, we’d be able to achieve that,” she said further.

In 2012, HARI sold a total of 21,996 units.

As of end-February, HARI’s sales declined by 20 percent to 3,624 units from a year ago as vehicle supply was not enough to meet the high demand.

Hyundai vehicles are imported from South Korea.

Agudo said that for the month of March alone, sales reached 2,200 units, up 35 percent from the 1,632 units in February.

Compared to the same month last year, March sales are still lower by about 300 to 400 units.

The March result brings HARI’s first quarter sales to 5,824 units.

Agudo said that while they are comfortable with the Hyundai vehicle line-up here, it has plans of launching a new model this year to support higher sales.

“We are planning to introduce the luxury car Azera by the third quarter of this year,” she said.

Earlier this year, the firm introduced the diesel-powered Accent hatchback and the new Santa Fe.

Agudo also said HARI plans to expand its dealership network to 45 by the end of this year to reach more customers.

Within two to three years, HARI is also looking to increase its dealership network further to 55.

At present, the firm has 40 dealerships nationwide.

The ICON which is a partnership between the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) and the Department of Science and Technology provides a platform for a thoughtful, consumer-focused and future-driven Filipino innovation culture.

Agudo said AVID intends to promote innovation to better cater to consumers and contribute to economic growth.

“Why innovate? Innovation creates competition and competition benefits consumers and gives them more choices,” she said.