Mitsubishi posts 1.5% sales growth in Feb

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) posted a 19 percent sales growth in February from January and a modest growth of 1.5 percent in the first two months of the year driven by strong sales of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVS).

MMPC sold 2,751 units in February and 5,062 units in the first two months of the year.

MMPC said LCV sales in February rose 19.1 percent in February with 2,591 units sold. The company currently has a 35.4 percent of LCV market. In the same period last year, its LCV sales grew only by 5.1 percent.

Sales of the Montero Sport mid-size SUV rose 25.6 percent in February from January with 951 units sold. Sales of the Strada double pick-up rose 31.2 percent in February from January with 446 units sold.

Sales of locally- manufactured L300 and Adventure vans also increased by eight percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. MMPC said these models appeal to the market because of practicality and dependability.

Sales of Fuso trucks also rose 40 percent in February from January.

MMPC president and CEO Hikosaburo Shibata said MMPC is optimistic of improvement in sales because of higher in demand and recovery of parts supply from Thailand as well as aggressiveness of its financing partners.

“To support this growth, MMPC will be banking on the new model and variants to be introduced as well as opening of additional dealership outlets for this year.” he said.

MMPC plans to open a new dealership on a 2,500 square meter lot in Abad Santos Extension, Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. MMPC has 42 dealerships nationwide.

According to the combined sales report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) for February MMPC currently trails behind

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. which had sales as of end-february reaching 7,255 units. MMPC is followed by Isuzu Philippines Corp. (1,746 units), Columbian Autocar Corp (1,056 units) and Ford Motor Co. Phils. Inc.(1,041 units).