Strengthening the Nissan brand image

For almost half a century, Universal Motors Corp. has nurtured the Nissan brand as one durable and reliable light commercial vehicle.

As explained by Honeymae Limjap, UMC AVP for Marketing and Sales, one of the endearing characters of a Nissan vehicle is the fact that they are over-engineered to withstand the test of time as well as continuous use.

This is probably why for years, its Urvan or the Urvan Estate continue to sell and have become a favorite mode of public transport anywhere in the Philippines.

The same consumer trust was carried to UMC’s more recent models that included the Murano crossover, Patrol Super Safari and Patrol Royale SUVs, Navara and Frontier Bravado pickup trucks.

To further enhance this perception, UMC this year renewed its Urvan Business Program, a six-year old platform that has proven to be very successful in encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos using the Urvan.

Innovations

For this year’s edition, UMC provided innovations in the van’s passenger seat volume as well as several driver enhancements. Aside from the tried and tested seating configurations of up to 21 passengers, every Urvan sold was now fitted with Wi-Fi that could support five gadgets.

Another important development happened in September when UMC initiated phase two of the Urvan Business Program called  “Paandarin ang Kabuhayan, become a Nissan Vantrepreneur.”

Launched in Los Angeles, California, the aim was to reach out with Overseas or Migrant Filipino Workers and convince them to have possible business opportunities in the Philippines.

Another innovation included in the Vantrepreneur campaign are several business-concepts that are being featured in every UMC dealership nationwide (until Jan. 15) to inspire would be entrepreneurs; as well as a microsite (urvanbusiness.com.ph) which will serve as the database for business advice and development seminars and programs.

Apart from the Urvan, UMC also beefed up the connectivity features of its best-selling pick up model, the 2.5-liter Tech Xtreme Navara variant (turbodiesel in either six-speed manual or five-speed automatic option).

Leading the list of technology-upgrades include onboard connectivity and entertainment features. The Wi-Fi router of the pickup is capable of supporting up to five devices gadgets and has been tried and tested to support broadband sticks from the top three service providers in the Philippines.

The entertainment system also offers the driver a multitude of information sources and can support data, music and or pictures and videos saved in CD, DVD, SD card, Bluetooth, or USB.

The content is displayed on the dashboard’s built-in screen, or in the built monitors in the front headrests.

For hassle-free driving, the front monitor of the Tech Xtreme Navara functions as a reverse camera and a GPS navigation system.

Boost presence

To further reach more buyers and boost presence, UMC recently added Nissan North Edsa among its list of dealerships.

Its impressive 4,712-sq m showroom is one of UMC biggest as it is able to display 12 vehicles as well as its service bay could accommodate 26 vehicles at the same time.

Managed by Tetra Sales and Service Inc. group (which also owns and runs Nissan Westgate Alabang, Nissan Southwoods, Nissan Dasmariñas, Nissan Lipa, and Nissan Shaw) the new dealership is regarded as UMC’s concrete proof that the Nissan Brand is here to stay and that 2013 will be a year to serve the motoring public even better.

This dealership along with the others will also carry Nissan’s Casaffordable Automotive Care Line, house-branded automotive care products such as windshield washer fluid, radiator flush, brake cleaner, and engine flush.

All these products carry the UMC’s Casaffordable seal of approval which testifies to superb product quality and compatibility with UMC’s Nissan-branded vehicles.