Mazda expects higher sales

MANILA, Philippines - The local distributor of Mazda vehicles expects higher sales in the second quarter compared to the previous quarter with the addition of new models to its product line-up, an official said.

“Second quarter (sales) should be better,” Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. chief executive officer Steven Tan told reporters at the sidelines of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2013 late last week.

He said the firm sold about 350 units at the close of the first quarter.

Tan said the new Mazda6 executive sedan launched at the MIAS is seen to help drive higher sales.

“That’s (Mazda6) a great story here. The new Mazda6 is bigger, wider, longer and more spacious, has better fuel-economy, more powerful, and (of the) same price as the old Mazda6,” he said.

The Mazda6 features the new 2.5 liter SKYACTIV-G engine, which boasts the highest compression ratio of any production gasoline engine in the world.

Apart from the Mazda6, the CX-9 seven-seater crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) powered by a 3.7 liter V6 engine introduced at the MIAS, is likewise seen to help support higher sales.

Berjaya Auto Philippines is currently selling five other vehicle models on top of the two newly launched Mazda6 and CX-9. These are the Mazda2 subcompact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda 3 compact sedan and hatchback, the CX-5 compact SUV, MX-5 two-seater sports roadster and the BT-50 pickup truck.

All the vehicles are available at Mazda’s 11 sales and service dealerships across the country.

Tan said the firm has plans of expanding its dealer network by opening four new dealerships this year in the provinces of Tarlac, Iloilo, Davao and Cavite.

Berjaya Auto Philippines began its operations as distributor of Mazda vehicles in January after acquiring the rights previously held by Ford Group Philippines.

It only started selling Mazda vehicles in February as new vehicle supply became available in the end of January.

Earlier, Tan said the firm intends to make Mazda among the top five automotive brands in the country in the long-term.