Bleak car sales seen this year

Car sales this year are expected to be "bleak," according to projections of both Toyota Motor Phils., Corp. and Honda Cars Phils., Inc.

Raymond Rodriguez, Toyota assistant vice president for vehicle sales, admitted in an interview with The STAR that Toyota expects a downturn in vehicle sales in the first half of the year. He said even the automobile industry is suffering from the overall uncertainty about the economic and political situation, adding the industry is waiting for the impeachment trial of President Estrada to conclude.

He admitted however that even after the trial, the industry is still uncertain over sales in the second half of the year. He said sales could either go up or down depending on the outcome of the impeachment trial.

Rodriguez, however, assured that Toyota still expects to retain its No. 1 position in terms of total industry sales.

Honda assistant manager for corporate communications Min Magbal agreed that vehicle sales for this year would be bleak because of the current crisis affecting the country.

However, Honda, is hopeful that the country would eventually recover as it is now at its lowest point.

Magbal assured that Honda is committed to stay in the Philippines and would not consider pulling out at all. She said Honda continues to improve its facilities as it tries to overtake its competitors.

Honda, Magbal said, is the first local car assembler to have gotten an ISO (International Standards Organization) certification.

Honda ranks third in overall industry sales, but ranks No. 1 in terms of passenger car sales.