Lexus sets higher sales target this year

MANILA, Philippines - Lexus Manila, Inc. has set a higher sales target this year compared to last year even as it expects sales of the luxury car industry to drop year-on-year.

Lexus president Daniel Isla told reporters yesterday at the sidelines of the ground-breakingToyota Motor Philippines Corp.’s technical school in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna that the firm is aiming to sell 388 units this year.

“Definitely it (target) is higher than (sales) last year by more than 100 units,” he said.

He noted that as of end-August, vehicle sales of Lexus reached 220 units, up 46 percent from the same period a year ago.

The number of units for the month of August alone was not immediately available but he said this was lower compared to the record-high monthly sales in July.

“We lost eight working days (last month),” he said when asked why sales were down in August compared to the highest monthly sales of 41 units in July.

He said though that the company is on track to meet its target this year.

But while Lexus is aiming for higher sales this year, he said he expects sales of the luxury car industry to be lower this year.

“My personal projection is 2,200 (this year) compared to 2,500 last year,” he said.

He said that for the eight months to August, industry sales of luxury cars went down 16 percent year-on-year.

He said the lower sales was due to the BIR’s move to check the income tax returns (ITR) of individuals purchasing luxury cars .

He said the move of the BIR to check the ITR of those purchasing luxury cars is discouraging others from buying these cars.

“So far we are not affected,” he said, adding that consumers prefer compact luxury models.

Meanwhile, Toyota officials said the technical school which would occupy a 10-hectare property in Sta. Rosa City is envisioned to produce globally competent and highly-skilled automotive technicians for the company.

The technical school is also expected to become the regional human resources development hub for global Toyota.