Chevrolet Philippines makes an impact in Southeast Asia

MANILA, Philippines - The current 3rd quarter numbers affirm a marked increase in Chevrolet’s growth across key ASEAN markets. Here at home, Chevrolet Philippines continues their sales growth of 26.9% in August 2011 year-to-date versus same period in 2010. Chevrolet also achieved a 53% increase in sales in August 2011 compared to August 2010. The consistent positive sales result is attributed to the market’s increased interest in Chevy passenger cars like its new 5-door mini hatch, the Chevrolet Spark with 116 units sold for the month of August. Barely into its 2nd year of operation, The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) Chevrolet’s exclusive distributor of vehicles, parts and accessories in the Philippines, is optimistic that the growth shall positively contribute to the brand’s continuous advancement in the market.

TCCCI has certainly enjoyed a great year with Chevy so far, having been the recipient of the prestigious “Philippine Car of the Year 2010-2011” Award for the Cruze’s outstanding performance since it was introduced last 2010 and now on course to increasing its network of Chevrolet dealerships and aftersales facilities by adding five more Chevrolet dealerships to the existing 12 dealers by the yearend.

This September 2011, three additional Chevrolet dealerships will be operational and ready to serve the market; these are Chevrolet Greenhills-EDSA (showroom and service), Chevrolet North-EDSA (showroom and service) and Chevrolet Otis-Manila (showroom). Chevrolet Cebu has also found a temporary showroom and workshop (in Pasajero Bldg., A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu) as it prepares to move to a new and bigger showroom and workshop in the next couple of months under the management of Genesis Motor Corporation as its new partner.

Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Atty. Albert Arcilla is confident in extending Chevy’s positive performance and seeing this growth momentum all the way through to the last quarter of the year. “We have a strong base of quality products, like the Spark, Cruze and Captiva that automobile-lovers have seen fit to try and ultimately put their confidence in. We intend to capitalize on that by making sure people know that we welcome their business and are more than ready to provide them a great ownership and customer service experience with the world-class products we have on offer.”

The good news extends all the way to our Southeast Asian neighbors. Chevrolet Malaysia is on top with a three-figure growth statistic of 155 percent. Similarly, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore all posting higher year-on-year growth numbers, further indicating Chevrolet’s increase in market share and effectively cementing the company’s status as a global automotive brand.

Riding on a 67 percent growth rate (year-on-year: August 2010 and August 2011) across ASEAN and clearly outgrowing the industry average, Chevrolet’s offense in the region has proven effective. Martin Apfel, President of GM Southeast Asia Operations, simply outlines Chevy’s plans for expansion with new product launches and a stronger dealer network to serve an increasing number of customers. To that end, Chevrolet has also resumed the second shift on the truck line in its production facility at Rayong, Thailand to better meet future demands.

The continued outpacing of industry averages in the Philippines and the whole of Southeast Asia has brought on so much good news for Chevrolet. And the fact that it brings in a surge of customer support and an expanded customer base on the year of its centennial is just icing on the cake. Learn more about TCCCI and its plans for the rest of the Chevrolet centennial by logging on to www.chevrolet.com.ph.