Kia's positive outlook

CEBU, Philippines - Proving that the Philippines is indeed one of its fastest growing markets in Asia, Kia Motors Corporation reported a 69% growth in sales as of July of this year compared to the same period last year.

Kia Motors Corp. Asia-Pacific Region President Seon Pil Choi said that the automotive manufacturer sold 1.6 million units globally for the first seven months of 2012, which is considered 11% higher over the same period of last year.

As of July 2012, he said that a total of 4,500 units were sold in the Philippines alone.

Choi said that Kia aims to sell 60,000 units in Southeast Asia this year and aims to increase that by another 10,000 next year.

Kia's biggest market in the SEA region is Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Ginia Domingo, president of Columbian Autocar Corp., said that Gateway Motors (Kia)-Cebu accounts for 20% of the national sales of their company.

Columbian Autocar Corp. is the exclusive distributor of Kia in the Philippines.

She added that Kia's sales increase in the Philippines is due to the stricter regulations imposed by the government against the entry of smuggled cars and also the introduction of the newest models, particularly the Rio.

She cited that Rio accounts 40% of the total sales nationwide, making it the best-selling vehicle of the automotive manufacturer.

It is followed by Sportage and Picanto. The three models alone comprise 70% of the sales of Kia-Philippines.

On the other hand, Kia Motors-Cebu Sales Manager Noel Ting said that sales in the province increased by 30% this year compared to 2011.

He also noted that the company's customer base has changed from trade-in to cash buyers.

With an investment of P20 million for its renovation, Kia-Cebu launched its new showroom located at Gorordo Avenue last August 17.

Choi noted that the company is optimistic of higher sales growth and customer satisfaction with the new showroom that is patterned after Kia's new global corporate identity - the red cube design.

"It looks very different compared to before. We now show you how Kia has grown and developed over the years. An all-new showroom, up-to-date with the same standards all over the world," he said.

Meanwhile, Ting said that the company can assure that it will attend to all the needs of its customers and their vehicles with the new facility.

He said that Kia is among the top three most-preferred brands in Cebu behind Toyota and Mitsubishi.

He further said that they aim to reach the top in five years.

Kia-Cebu, Ting added, offers a five-year warranty, lowest down payment terms, auto loan applications, insurance renewal, maintenance and body repair.

Kia also has showrooms along A.C. Cortes St., Mandaue City, the national highways in Linao, Talisay and at the lower ground floor of SM City Cebu.