More Montero SUVs released as Mitsubishi posts record May sales

The market’s “love affair” with the Montero Sport is indeed still going strong.

The Montero Sport was launched in the market way back in 2008, but the sales figures that it achieved in a month speak volumes on how the buying public positively regards the SUV.

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. (MMPC) was able to sell 1,511 units of the SUV in May alone, which in the same month was hailed as the industry’s best-selling vehicle, helping MMPC post its highest monthly sales.

Based on the report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi), MMPC posted its all-time highest monthly sales of 4,063 units in May, a figure that is 11.1 percent higher than that of April (3,658 units) and at the same time 35.2 percent better than the 3,005 units the company sold in May 2012.

“We are truly ecstatic for achieving the highest monthly sales last May. To maintain the market’s enthusiasm, we have continued to upgrade all our current models, including the Montero Sport. We also have the newly introduced Limited Editions of the Montero Sport GTV, Strada GLX pickup and the Pajero SUV. Also, the market could expect MMPC to bring in more world-class models in the coming months,” promised MMPC president and CEO Hikosaburo Shibata.

Improving economy

Shibata said the country’s strengthening economy, increasing purchasing power of the people and the introduction of exciting vehicle promos are factors that helped convince more Filipinos to purchase brand-new models.

The combined reports of the Truck Manufacturers Association Inc. and Campi showed that MMPC captured 24.3 percent of the market in May, making it the second best-selling brand in the country.

The local automotive industry closed the month of May by selling 15,859 units, 5.1 percent better than the 15,095 units sold in April. Moreover, overall vehicle sales for the first five months already reached  72,988 units, a 23.3-percent improvement when compared to the same period last year.

Better models

Shibata also acknowledged the strong performance of MMPC’s other models, including the Adventure, the company’s Asian utility vehicle model that continues to attract families as well as small- and medium-entrepreneurs looking for a practical and reliable vehicle. “They appreciate the fact that the Adventure offers one of the lowest “running costs” (referring to the expenses the vehicle incurs, including fuel, tires, maintenance, repairs and mileage-dependent depreciation costs) in the market,” he added.

Last month, a total of 600 Adventures were sold, a 12-percent improvement from its April sales.

Moreover, sales of the Strada pickup was also commendable, said Shibata who added that when compared to April, sales improved by 35 percent when 404 units were sold in May.

Sales of the Pajero SUV also surged by 136.6 percent, thanks in part to the introduction of the Limited Edition variant, launched to commemorate the model’s 30th anniversary.

Shibata said that as MMPC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the company will continue for the rest of the year its various offers and deals that will make owning a Mitsubishi vehicle easier for prospective buyers.

In addition, MMPC said that it is continuously improving its dealership facilities and services to enhance customer experience. “We at MMPC are very optimistic that we will be able to reach or even surpass our business targets for the year,” promised Shibata.