Hyundai sees strong sales of new Starex model

MANILA, Philippines - The local distributor of South Korean automotive brand Hyundai aims to achieve monthly sales of 150 to 200 units of the new variants of the Grand Starex.

“(We are looking) at 150 to 200 units per month because of retooling capacity of local assemblers,” Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) president and chief executive officer Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo told reporters during the launch of the two Gold variants of the Grand Starex.

The new Starex variants Gold Premium and Platinum are completely built units but the interiors are designed locally amid a demand for customized vans.

The new variants have seats provided by local suppliers and are spacious to make land travel comparable to that of a private jet.

Both variants also sport a new chrome grille, new 16-inch alloy wheel design, and new front and rear bumpers.

The Gold Premium which features a 6.5-inch monitor entertainment system with GPS navigation view and two-inch headrest-mounted monitors retails for P2.368 million, while the Gold Platinum variant which has a 22-inch LCD video monitor that retracts into multimedia in-dash console system costs P2.588 million.

Agudo said the firm decided to launch new variants with locally designed interiors to cater to customers looking for a family van with an upgraded level of comfort.

The new variants are expected to contribute to HARI’s aim of achieving sales close to 24,000 units this year.

 “We are sure that until the end of the year, we will be able to achieve our forecast. This is really based on strong macroeconomic fundamentals. We still have robust BPO (business process outsourcing) industry and I would say the OFW (overseas Filipino workers) remittances continue to become strong,” Agudo said.

Last year, the firm sold 22,033 units.

Agudo said the firm sold 17,693 units as of end-September, a nine percent growth over the same period last year.

For the month of September alone, HARI’s sales posted a 34 percent year-on-year increase to reach 2,017 units.

The firm achieved positive sales performance as it is no longer experiencing supply constraints for certain vehicle models such as the Eon and i10.

While there are supply issues for other vehicle models, Agudo said demand remains strong.

Hyundai vehicles are imported from South Korea.