KIA EXPANDING FOOTPRINT, OPENING 4 NEW DEALERSHIPS

Kia Philippines said it would open four new dealerships in the third quarter, expanding its commercial footprint despite the decline in industry sales volume amid the pandemic.

The new Kia dealerships will be opened in key locations across Metro Manila and Luzon, specifically Marikina, Fairview, Bonifacio Global City and Isabela.

The move, Kia said, was to increase its reach and make the Kia brand even more accessible to more Filipinos.

“We, together with our business partners, are confident that this move will help strengthen the brand’s presence and show the Filipino people that we are here for them, despite the challenges we are facing today,” said Kia Philippines president Manny Aligada.

Kia Philippines, which was relaunched in 2019 under the Ayala-owned AC Motors group, sold a total of 5,019 units last year, marking a 124-percent growth from 2,238 units sold in 2018.

The company had initially targeted to sell 10,000 units last year, only to lower the target by half given the stiff competition in the market.

In November last year, Aligada told reporters that he was targeting to sell at least 8,000 units in 2020, or at best, 9,000 units, which would take the company closer to its 2019 target of 10,000 units.

It remains to be seen if Kia would still be able to hit its 8,000 to 9,000 sales target this the year, given that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly dampened demand for vehicles.

Kia did not disclose its latest sales figure. However, the auto industry has been struggling during the health crisis. Latest available data from Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association showed that the industry sold 69,463 units of vehicles in the first five months of the year, down 51.1 percent from 142,185 units in the same period last year.