Biggest in vismin Toyota Cebu opens new service center facility

CEBU, Philippines - In response to the increasing demand for after-sales service, Toyota Cebu officially opened its third facility which is considered to be the biggest service center in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Last Saturday, Cebu officials together with Toyota Motor Philippines executives inaugurated its Toyota Mandaue South new facility situated at the North Reclamation Area.

This is in addition to its two existing branches in M.J. Cuenco Ave. and Tabok, Mandaue City.

Jose Manuel Cuenco, general manager of Toyota Cebu, said the company has invested a substantial amount for the 25,000 square-meter facility to what he described as a necessary expansion.

The facility houses a 490 square-meter showroom that could showcase up to eight of its latest models and units.

The Toyota Mandaue South branch has four periodic maintenance bays and two express maintenance bays. It also has two Toyota production system lines for quick light body repairs such as minor scratches.

Since there are three technicians who will be working on a vehicle at a time, Cuenco said that work will be much quicker and waiting time for the customer would be shorter.

From the usual four hours to half a day of working period, he said that the service needed could be now accomplished in 30 minutes to an hour.

The advanced system and improved facility, he added, allows the company to attend to 14 customers simultaneously and efficiently.

“Over the past 23 years, we’ve always have the problem for congestion. People would line up and wait for a long time. We don’t want to cause such inconvenience for our customers so there is really the need for us to expand,” he stated in an interview.

He noted that half of the total customers’ demand will be served in the facility as it could cater to 200 units a day in its full capacity.

About 60 percent of the repairs being brought to them are minor repairs and painting works, he said.

Out of its 330 working personnel from its three outlets, there are about 150 to 160 employees stationed in Toyota Mandaue South.

The new facility has a customers’ lounge, new car release lounge, parts and accessories center, kiddie corner, service reception area and negotiations lounge.

Parking slots are also available on the third, fourth and roof deck levels that could accommodate 130 cars per floor.

To make it more convenient for their customers in the region, Cuenco further cited that they will open two full-service facilities in Dumaguete and Tagbilaran by the end of 2013.

In terms of sales, he said that Toyota continues to lead in the automobile industry as it sold 3,500 units in 2012 which is 10% increase from 2011.

He revealed that they aim to reach a growth of 17% this year.

Aside from the company’s constant and aggressive promotions, he also noted the growing middle-class segment, increased purchasing power, active market reception, and budding interest with entry-level vehicles as key growth drivers for Toyota.

Toyota Motor Philippines won its 11th consecutive Triple Crown, ranking first in passenger car sales, commercial vehicle sales, and overall sales.

In last year’s report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers, Toyota Vios was recognized as the bestselling vehicle in the country with a total of 1659 units sold while Toyota Innova is hailed as the most favoured commercial vehicle in the market with 1 521 unit sales. (FREEMAN)