Hyundai sees 10% rise in auto sales this year

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (Hari), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, expects at least a 10-percent growth in sales this year, on the back of a more stable supply, as it plans to introduce four new models in 2014.

Last year, Hari sold about 22,033 units, mostly passenger cars.

Hari president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said in a briefing Friday that retail sales would be “very strong, while dealers are very positive of growth” this year.

After it experienced supply problems last year, the company is now confident that it will be able to keep up with demand for 2014. An indication, she said, is the 35-percent growth in vehicle sales in January 2014 to about 2,500 units compared to the same month last year.

Hari also has four new offerings this year. The first was the new Grand Santa Fe launched last week.

Other models to be launched are the Hyundai Grand Starex, Grand i10, and the new diesel Accent Hatchback, Agudo said.

Hari is also expanding its retail network, adding four more dealerships this year for a total of 46, Agudo said.

The 43rd dealership, Hyundai Parañaque West, was officially launched last week. It is the first auto business venture of actor Jose Sixto Dantes III, who serves as the vice president of dealership.

The company is also looking to set up dealerships in Marilao, Cabanatuan and Batangas City before the end of the year.

“Hyundai holds a shining track record of changing people’s way of looking at a car and interim soy design, engineering, performance and service,” Agudo said.

“It’s about time to kick off another phase in Hyundai’s journey in the Philippines by changing the way people view dealerships. A Hyundai dealership is not just a place where you can buy a car. It is a center of excellence for a brilliant customer experience,” she added.

Agudo, who also serves as president of Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID), said that the group is expected to post a 10-percent growth in sales this year. This will mirror the growth of the group’s biggest member, Hari, in terms of sales.  Amy R. Remo