Norkis: Haojue growth will accelerate

THE Norkis Group of Companies is projecting substantial growth for China-produced Haojue motorcycles in the country this year on the back of the continued demand for motorcycles to aid in business operations.

“The motorcycle industry has reached its first one million unit sales last year and it’s projecting to hit two million unit sales by 2015. This is a great opportunity for Haojue motorcycles to capture a huge chunk of this market,” said Edmund Pingkian, Norkis Group Haojue OEM group managing head for marketing national, in a press conference last Saturday.

Pingkian said that since Norkis’ introduction of Haojue motorcycle in the Philippines in the last three years, it sales grew from 300 units per month to 2,000 units per month.

He said the rising fuel cost and increased traffic in the metropolis have made motorcycles the preferred mode of transportation in the Philippines for small enterprises and commuters.

“Enterprises here are purchasing volume of motorcycles to aid in their business expansion,” he said. “They opted for motorcycles because they are easy to maneuver.”

Pingkian said the Haojue brand is now gaining popularity in the market because it is economical, environment-friendly and efficient. He, however, admitted the company has to do aggressive marketing and promotion given the Filipinos’ notion about China-made products.

Pingkian said the Haojue brand is the top motorcycle brand in China and is ranked fifth globally.

Haojue Motorcycle is manufactured by Jiangmen Da Chang Jiang Group Co. Ltd. Norkis handles the assembly and distribution of the Haojue brand in the Philippines.

Norkis is celebrating its 50 years in the business. It has about 1,200 branches, dealers and service centers.

Haojue general manager Henry Su said he is confident sales of the brand will continue to grow in the Philippines despite the presence of other motorcycle brands.

He stressed the company’s strong partnership with Norkis will enable them to reach a wider market.

Pingkian said motorcycle industry sales in the Visayas reached 500 units per month. Of the number, 150 units are Haojue brands sold in five branches of Norkis in Cebu.

“We are expecting sales to continue growing this year,” said Pingkian.

Last Saturday, Norkis held a grand launch of Haojue Cool 150 in Ayala Center Cebu. The motorcycle features a single cylinder, air cooling, four-stroke engine. The firm said the unit has an efficient combustion system that makes the engine more fuel-efficient and powerful.

The motorcycle also features a digital meter, patented security design which protects the bike from intrusion, and advance headlamp and stainless steel muffler with chrome plated protection cover.

Haojue motorcycle is Euro III emission compliant, which is above the country’s current emission requirement of Euro II.