11 consecutive years of auto market dominance

Following tradition established more than a decade ago, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC), the hands-down unrivaled leader of the local automotive market once again expressed its appreciation to the motoring media for its professionalism and support in a Thanksgiving Party to celebrate its 11th Triple Crown achievement—Number 1 position in the Passenger Car segment, Number 1 in the Commercial Vehicle sales and Number 1 in Overall Vehicle Sales, all of these feats accomplished in 11 straight years.

Aside from the unprecedented record established in the industry, 2012 was yet a banner year for TMPC as it sold a total of 65,396 units, indeed a remarkable all-time high since it started its operations in 1988.

It was also in 2012 that a Toyota model, the Vios got the unquestioned public’s nod as the esteemed winner of the Auto Focus 2012 – 2013 Automobile of the Year—People’s Choice Award through its sales volume registered from January to September of 2012 and public votes cast from July to September of the same year—the first Toyota model ever to win the prestigious title in the award’s 8-year staging. 

A trademark of any Toyota event, food and drinks flowed freely all through the night last January 17, Thursday at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati with TMPC pulling all stops even in entertainment department with Randy Santiago, Rachel Alejandro and the Hotdog Band providing the well-applauded music that gave credence to 80’s theme of the celebration. And the prizes that were given away were a different story to tell all together.

Another highlight of the evening’s festivities was the launch of the 2013 RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle 4X4), a much-awaited unveiling of this niche market compact SUV that has quite an exclusive following in the country. 

There’s a lot to be said about this new offering from TMPC but a close look and a test drive would give it more justice than mere words.

As with other current Toyota models, the 2013 RAV4 makes fuel efficiency a major highlight in its array of remarkable features. Offered in three variants, the RAV4’s top-of-the-line 4x4 is priced at P1,963,000 with the entry-level at P1,357,000 and 4x2 Full Option at P1,581,000.

Berjaya Auto Philippines officially opens

The formal signing ceremony between Mazda Motor Corporation and Berjaya Auto Philippines for the distribution of Mazda vehicles, parts and accessories in the Philippines was held last September, but the business operations officially begins this month.

For the few who may not know, Mazda’s sales were formerly handled in the country by Ford Group Philippines (FGP). But reportedly following Ford Motor Corporation’s decision to let go of their equity in Mazda Motor Corporation (Japan), the Philippine operations were eventually phased out too. 

Now it’s Berjaya Auto Philippines, a subsidiary of the worldwide Malaysia-based Berjaya Group, that’s officially handling the business affairs of Mazda in the country.

Intriguingly for many, Berjaya Auto Philippines is presently being run by former key executives of Ford Philippines who used to be very much involved in the running of Ford’s Mazda Group, two of whom are Steven Tan, who used to head FGP’s marketing and now Berjaya Auto’s CEO, and Dave Macasadia, who used to be Mazda Philippines’ managing director but recently retired as Ford Philippines’ VP for customer relations who’s now director, for customer service, after-sales and general counsel. On the same vein, Berjaya Auto’s sales and marketing director, Japheth Castillo, similarly used to be an FGP sales executive. Although viewed by many as a plus for the new auto group as all these guys are no strangers to the Mazda brand and the automobile itself.

The official start of business operations in the Philippines was marked by a Media Conference mid afternoon of Friday, January 18 with a Dealers’ Convention following in the evening. 

In an interesting Open Forum during the Media Conference, Berjaya Auto Philippines’ CEO, Steven Tan was bombarded with an array of questions ranging from the new group’s sales targets to the possibility of vehicle assembly and manufacturing. Steven made mention of hoping to be at least in the top 5 automotive companies. Intrigued with the mentioned goal I asked him who he intends or hopes to bump off in the present list of top 5 automobile firms in the Philippines. As expected Steven was able to gracefully wriggle out by saying there is no particular industry player in their sights but they’ll just work hard to reach their goal without anybody being targeted in the process.  

Steven emphasized that Berjaya Auto’s priority is to open new dealerships all over the archipelago with the goal of extending the accessibility of Mazda vehicle sales and after sales service to more locations across the country, “Realistically, we are looking at about 5 to 6 new dealerships this year.”

Mazda is back!

Autohub Group’s expansion in the auto industry

There’s another feather in the cap of multi-brand automotive business entrepreneur Willy Tee Ten with the launch recently of four model variants of Peaggio Ape by Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises, Inc. (APE Inc.) the official distributor of Piaggio Ape Commercial Vehicles in the Philippines and part of the AutoHub Group of Companies.

“We are all excited about this new brand, considering that it has the smallest diesel engine in the world, this is really going to be big in the Philippines. This brand is perfect for those who are not afraid to start small and dreams of becoming big someday. We are going to launch this along with our campaign “Arangkada Pinoy Entreprenyur”, for this is Autohub’s Push for Entrepreneurship,” says Willy Tee Ten.

With the campaign “Arangkada Pinoy Entrepreneur”, Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises, Inc. (APE Inc.) aims to provide innovative business solutions through making products and services available at the very doorstep of consumers –through converting stationary establishments into more practical mobile businesses. The campaign aims to provide the budding and existing Filipino entrepreneurs having small or big businesses, with alternative solutions to be able to keep up, or even surpass the innovations of contemporary enterprises.

This could indeed be a big boast to Pinoy entrepreneurs.

Nissan mixes it up with the “B-wigs”

Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. (NMPI) recently joined the market fray within the B or subcompact automobile segment with the official introduction of the Almera at the Makati Shangri-La last January 16, Wednesday.

“The new Nissan Almera is assembled locally, but one which benefits from the engineering and design expertise developed by Nissan globally. It is perfectly in tune with the needs and expectations of Filipino consumers,” NMPI president and CEO, Allen Chen said.

NMPI reports that the all-new Almera has reaped successes all over the globe, after being launched in various countries including Thailand, U.S., China, India, Singapore and more recently, Malaysia. It has become branded as Nissan’s global best-selling sedan, with sales reaching to more than 500,000 units to date.

“Based on global market trends, the Almera designers targeted customers who are planning to buy a new car for the first time or value buyers who wants to experience more from a compact car. For them, the new ALMERA is a symbol of success, and it needs to be able to show pride to their family, friends and colleagues. While it is practical and affordable, the car is equipped with enough features to satisfy the discriminating tastes of customers in the competitive B-segment.” Chen added.

Competition in the country’s automobile subcompact segment gets keener by the day.

BMW’s dominance of premium luxury segment

“We thank the Filipino market for embracing BMW, granting us the honor to be the undisputed leader in the luxury vehicle segment for a decade. This gives us the reason to celebrate and strive more to give the best that BMW has to offer to the Philippines”, were the proud but thankful words of Ms. Maricar Parco, the lovely lady president of Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importers and distributors of BMW in the Philippines as the iconic premium brand finished 2012 with a dominating 33% market share in the luxury segment.

In June 2012, considered as a banner year for BMW, it posted its highest sales of 106 units, dominating the segment with a 41% market share that month.

“We are very proud of the success of the 3 Series and the 5 Series in the past year. The market leadership of these two models affirms the solid reputation of the BMW brand,” stated Glen Dasig, ACC executive director for sales and marketing.

BMW is indeed on the go!

Happy Motoring!!!

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