Suzuki eyes 10% hike in motorcycle sales

MANILA, Philippines - Suzuki Philippines, Inc., a subsidiary of Japanese firm Suzuki Motor Corp., is eyeing a 10 percent increase in motorcycle sales this year from a year ago with the launch of new models.

“We expect 10 percent increase for motorcycle (sales) for 2013,” Suzuki Philippines president Satoshi Uchida said in an interview with reporters.

Last year, Suzuki Philippines sold 94,000 motorcycle units.

Uchida said the firm is planning to launch new motorcycle models this year to boost sales.

He declined to give details on the motorcycles to be introduced this year, but said the units will be produced locally.

Suzuki Philippines currently sells nine motorcycle models in the country.

The company intends to locally assemble all the motorcycles to be sold in the Philippines this year

Uchida said that of the 94,000 units sold last year, only 30,000 were produced from the new plant in Laguna, another 30,000 came from its old plant in Pasig while the balance was imported from Indonesia and Thailand.

“But this year, everything will be knocked down. We are going to assemble all motorcycles in Canlubang,” he said.

The company started full operations at its new motorcycle plant which stands on a 126,599-sq. meter land area at the Carmelray Industrial Park in Canlubang last May.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units.