Mitsubishi hopes to retain number 2 ranking in RP

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. is hoping to retain its No. 2 overall ranking in terms of automotive sales this year by selling at least 15,000 units this year, according to MMPC senior vice president Melchor Dizon.

As part of its effort to retain its No. 2 spot, MMPC kicked off this year’s sales pitch with the introduction yesterday of Mitsubishi’s full size sedan 2006 Galant model.

Mitsubishi, Dizon said, hopes to sell at least 600 units of the luxurious 2006 Galant this year, second again only to Toyota’s Camry sedan.

However, by the second quarter of this year, Dizon said, Mitsubishi would throw its second salvo with the introduction of a two liter Lancer Model.

A third offering in the last quarter of this year, Dizon said, would be it Triton pick-up model.

However, Dizon hinted that Mitsubishi may still come up with some "surprise" models during the year.

The 2006 Galant is being offered at an introductory price of P1.488 million.

However, that price, Dizon warned, is not likely to last long since an additional two percent will be inputted to the price upon the effectivity of the expanded value-added tax (EVAT) by February.

Dizon assured that the local automotive industry is still upbeat about sales this year as long as the government controls used car importations.

He clarified that while the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) is projecting a conservative five percent growth this year, sales for the whole of this year could easily reach 150,000 units if only government would really crack down on used motor vehicles.