Tata expanding dealership in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Indian car company Tata Motors Ltd. is looking at the Philippines as an area of future growth, citing the country’s rising demand for vehicles.

“The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is one of our focus for future growth. We are adding the Philippines to that list,” RT Wasan, Tata Motors’ head of international business for commercial vehicles, said during the company’s launch at the Manila International Auto Show yesterday.

The company, which is launching its vehicles in the Philippine market this year, decided to enter the country by appointing Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc. as local distributor amid growing vehicle sales here.

The country’s total vehicle sales reached around 212,000 units last year.

“We think we have a big opportunity here,” Wasan said.

In the same event, Johnny Omman, Tata Motors’ head of international business for passenger cars, said the company wants to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Philippine market through establishing dealerships.

“Our plan, in terms of setting up in a country, involves nationwide dealership,” he said.

Pilipinas Taj Autogroup general manager Nicandro Mariano told reporters the distributor plans to open six to seven dealerships this year.

At present, the distributor has only one dealership along Marcos Highway in Rizal and another in Davao.

A third dealership located in Cainta, Rizal is slated to open soon.

 â€œFor the vehicle models, all-in-all, we would have 10 this year,” Mariano said, adding that all the vehicles would be imported from India.

The firm is set to start offering this month four vehicle models: the Manza sedan, Vista hatchback and  Xenon 4x2 and 4x4 pickup truck.

Commercial vehicles Ace and Super Ace, meanwhile, would be available by July or August.

Tata Motors is India’s largest automobile company. Its commercial and passenger vehicles are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and Russia.