Mitsubishi posts modest growth in 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) posted a modest growth of one percent in 2011 from 2010 despite the decline experienced by the local automotive industry last year.                                                                             

MMPC claims to have cornered 20 percent of the local automobile market, achieving sales of 32,603 units for 2011, mostly light commercial vehicles (LCV) .                                                                                                                

The company said sales of its LCVs such as the Strada, Montero Sport, ASX, Pajero, Adventure and L300 models rose 2.5 percent, while sales of its Fuso trucks and buses increased by 12.7 percent.

MMPC said it was able to sell 12, 210 units of Montero Sport and Pajero units combined, and 4, 216 units of the Strada model.

“MMPC’s remarkable sales performance can be credited to its continuous effort to provide the market with a refreshed and extensive vehicle line-up coupled by aggressive and attractive sales promotions,” the compnay said in its report.     

It said the introduction of the upgraded Montero Sport and Strada powered by variable geometry turbocharged (VGT) engine during the first quarter of 2011 contributed to the increase in sales.                                                                 

“Both models continue to attract more and more customers not only because of its combined appeal and superb performance brought about by its powerful VGT engine, but also by the high value for money proposition it offers to customers especially with added technology enhancements such as the multi-information and multi-media system equipped on some of its variants,” the report said.

Since the Montero Sport model was introduced to the market, MMPC has sold 33,515 units. MMPC has also expanded its LCV line up to include L200 single cab pick up and cab chassis which is targeted for fleet and business use and also a taxi version of the Adventure which its claims has been approved and accredited by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board.                                                                                                                            

This year, MMPC projects growth of 12 percent, which is expects to come from the enhancements of its existing models. It also expects to improve its passenger car sales with the introduction of its global small car or the Mitsubishi Mirage which debuted at the Tokyo Motorshow last year.

“The Mirage is expected to easily gain market acceptance considering its outstanding fuel economy and top of its class features.” Mitsubishi said.                                                  

MMPC is also opening three more sales outlets this year, bringing its total number of outlets to 49.

The local automotive industry suffered a sales decline of four percent last year as a direct result of a supply shortage caused by the disasters in Japan and Thailand.