THE country’s growing economy and its friendly regulations allowed an international car brand to get a share of the intensely
competitive local auto market.
“Compared to the other countries, Philippines is one of those who have friendlier regulations that allow us to be competitive amid the tough, competition in the market,” said Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc. (MIP) marketing manager Ariel de Jesus in an interview Tuesday.
The company is the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country.
De Jesus reported that Subaru grew by 56 percent last year with the sale of 942 units, the biggest in the local automotive industry, based on figures released by the Chamber of the Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines.
Subaru, the automobile manufacturing division of Fuji Heavy Industries, is a transportation conglomerate in Japan. It is regarded as the fastest growing automotive brand in the country, consistently increasing every year since it opened in 2006.
In 2008, the company posted a 100 percent growth.
“The Philippines is the second biggest market for growth, next to Southern China,” de Jesus said.
He said the company is bullish this year after it posted an estimated 70 percent growth in the first five months over the same period last year.
Subaru’s sales growth forecast this year is 10 percent to 15 percent higher at 1,200 units.
“The 1,200 target sales volume for this year is ideal so as not to compromise the level of sales and after-sales service of the firm,” de Jesus said.
Subaru Cebu’s showroom and service facility was opened yesterday on A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City. It is the only dealer and service center of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines outside of Metro Manila.
Among Subaru’s models are the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Impreza Sports Wagon, Impreza WRX and the Impreza WRX STI.