MOTOPRIME PH Corp., the authorized dealer of Triumph Motorcycles in Cebu, is aiming to sell at least 100 motorcycle units for the first year of its operation, banking on the outstanding reception of the brand in the Visayas and Mindanao markets.
Dr. Alvin Roxas, president of Motoprime PH Corp., said despite being new in the Philippine market, the UK-manufactured motorcycle has already gained a wide following as more Filipinos embrace two-wheeled vehicles, especially during this time of the pandemic.
Since its soft opening in the latter part of 2021, Triumph Cebu has sold close to 50 units.
“The reception really for Cebu is outstanding. In fact, we have formally created Triumph’s owner group that is growing exponentially,” said Roxas.
He added that there was a growing acceptance and acquisition of two-wheeled vehicles even before and at the height of the pandemic as people turn to motorcycles for convenience and to beat the chronic traffic congestion in major cities like Cebu and Metro Manila.
“People don’t want to ride cars anymore because of our traffic situation,” he said.
Motorprime officially opened the Triumph Motorcycles showroom along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City on Feb. 25, 2022. The showroom will serve as a one-stop hub, showcasing the brand’s comprehensive lineup of premium motorcycles, apparel, accessories and a service bay area.
PH expansion
The brand entered the Philippine market in 2020 through Triumph Motorcycles’ partnership with the Autohub Group of Companies, a major player in the automotive arena operating diversified distributorships of class-leading car brands such as the Pagani, Rolls-Royce, Mini, Lotus, GT-R, Shelby, Vespa and Piaggio. It also operates dealerships of Ford, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Hyundai, Mazda, Foton, Chery, MG, Geely, Ssangyong and Kaicene.
A year since it brought the Triumph brand, Autohub was able to sell more than 600 motorcycle units, according to Sammy Montecastro, general manager of Triumph Motorcycle Philippines.
“There’s a promising growth for the brand here in the Philippines amid the pandemic,” he said.
“Triumph brand is really iconic. It’s full of history. In fact, even before this dealership came about, there are already quite a number of owners whose units were bought from the grey market,” said Roxas.
Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. is the largest UK-owned motorcycle manufacturer, established in 1983. It was featured in the new James Bond film “No Time to Die.”
Sales at Triumph Motorcycles Group jumped 28 percent to £613.2 million in 2021 as it shipped more than 76,000 bikes — 22,000 more than the year before, according to a UK-based report.
Montecastro said Triumph Philippines has over 30 models available for retail. As of Feb. 23, Triumph motorcycle prices started at P506,000 for the most inexpensive model Trident 660 and up to P1.72 million for the most expensive motorcycle model Triumph Rocket 3.
Outlook
Meanwhile, Autohub Group of Companies president Willy Tee Ten continues to see promising growth for the motorcycle industry ahead amid the rising fuel prices due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
He said the rising gasoline prices will cause more people to acquire motorcycles because they are cheaper and are more fuel-efficient compared to cars.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic that is almost over and if the economy gets better and people will have to choose the mode of transportation without spending too much on gasoline, the motorcycle would be the best solution. So we are very hopeful and optimistic the two-wheel industry will keep growing in the next two years,” he said.