News does go around. And when the news items are about the cars and the industry that shakes and bakes them, you can bet you’ll get the info from all directions. Inquirer Motoring rolls out its nets to give you the best news catches in 2011, in no particular order.
Michinobu Sugata could only smile with satisfaction after his speech was met with hearty applause during Toyota Motor Philippines’ December 21 meeting with the press at the CAV Wine Shop Cafe at Bonifacio High Street. It rained hard that day. Several statuesque women models keeping a white Alphard company were stranded in the tent.
Every once in a while, there comes a vehicle that is so solidly built, possesses sturdy engine, and comfortable interior that buyers won’t mind if there are already newer, powerful and more sleek-looking counterparts in the market.
After years of lingering in the shadow of Hyundai, 2011 may be regarded as the year when sister brand Kia has finally emerged as an equally formidable world-class Korean emblem.
BMW, as the market leader in the luxury segment, certainly did not rest on its laurels in 2011. Asian Carmakers Corp., BMW exclusive distributor in the Philippines, launched four new models this year. These were the all-new X3, the 1 Series M, the 6 Series Convertible, and the all-new 1 Series.
It was a busy year for PGA, the country’s distributor for Audi and Porsche cars and it will be busier next year as PGA recently got the distributorship to Lamborghini as well. Audi’s sales went up by 9 percent this year as PGA introduced the flagship A8L model as well as the A6 and very sexy A7 sedans and the high performance RS5 model.
2011 marks the 10th year of Hyundai’s amazing growth in the Philippine automotive industry. Starting with only five dealers in 2001, when it was appointed exclusive distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the PH, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) now has 39 strategically located dealerships across the nation and has sustained its ranking, achieved in 2010, as No. 3 in over-all industry sales.
When General Motors Southeast Asia Operations appointed a new company two years ago to be the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines, people were bemused by the choice of its corporate name: The Covenant Car Company, Inc. or TCCCI. It is rare for the importer/distributor of an automotive brand to not use its own brand in incorporating and opening for business.
In 2005, Suzuki Philippines launched the Swift, a hot little hatchback that is a pleasure to drive and easily upsets some much more expensive counterparts when it comes to fun factor.
CATS Motors Inc., the country’s distributor for Mercedes-Benz and the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands have a lot to celebrate this 2011. First off, Mercedes-Benz celebrated its 125th anniversary with a huge party at the Opus, Resorts World Manila, last February while this year also marked the 70th founding year of the Jeep.
Motor Image Pilipinas, the country’s distributor for Subaru cars had a mediocre year for 2011 due to a low production output globally as it is still reeling from the devastating effects of the great Japan earthquake and the giant tsunami waves that ensued, destroying a large number of production facilities for a number of Japanese car manufacturers and its parts suppliers.
The fact that Mitsubishi became the country’s best-selling brand last May—edging out perennial leader Toyota after posting a 28.6 percent market share—only shows how the three-diamond emblem is solidly entrenched in the minds of Filipino consumers.
