Mitsubishi still sees continued sales growth

MANILA, Philippines - Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC), the local unit of Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp., expects continued sales growth next year despite issues currently hounding its Montero model.

MMPC first vice president and corporate secretary Dante Santos said the company sees sales rising by around 10 percent year-on-year for 2016.

Santos said MMPC hopes to ride on the growth of the Philippine automotive industry next year which is also forecast to grow by 10 percent.

He said MMPC is also banking on good demand for the new Montero model to be launched next year.

Santos admitted sales of Montero units are expected to take a hit due to the complaints of alleged sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) of Montero Sport automatic vehicles.

He said MMPC is hoping the new Montero model would wipe out all the negative issues currently surrounding the company.

“You’re getting a new generation Montero. That vehicle has completely different engine, transmission, etc. so it’s so different. But in terms of branding you call it Montero. But we call it generational changes. It is not just an upgrade, it’s a total shift,” Santos said.

MMPC’s 11-month 2015 sales have reached 49,803 units, an 8.8 percent increase from the 45,760 units sold in the same period last year.

A joint report from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association showed Mitsubishi maintained its number two position in the local automotive industry after capturing a 18.5 percent market share as of November.

MMPC first vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin earlier said the company is looking to jack up production next year to 15,000 units from an expected 13,000 output this year on expected strong demand for the election season.