Realtor ventures into online car trading From real estate to cars.

CEBU, Philippines - Real estate broker Anthony Gerard Leuterio is now capitalizing on the rich online marketplace as a venue for car trading, for both brand new and second-hand cars.

Leuterio recently established his new company Carsavers Philippines, which will provide an extensive listing of available cars for sale, initially in Cebu.

Leuterio said that apart from real estate properties, wherein buyers' interest has remained upbeat, the need to own private vehicles has also increased.

"Carsavers Philippines is an online car buying site based in Cebu. The company aims to meet the rising demand of car ownership for both brand new and second-hand units," said Leuterio in an interview.

Although this type of online trade is not new to the technology-savvy market, he said what sets the portal apart, is its ability to deliver specified preference of customers, particularly in the budget side.

According to Leuterio, this new online portal has created a dedicated team of automobile sales experts, to guide and give professional advise to customers, specifically for first time car buyers.

It will also partner with financial institutions, and brand new car dealers to have updated listings, and help finance the acquisition of customers.

From the most affordable, yet quality vehicle, to posh luxury cars, Carsavers Philippines aims to play a significant role in the online car trading industry, Leuterio said.

Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with BPI Family Savings Bank senior manager Wilbert Yu of BPI Family Savings Auto Loans Division Consumer Banking Group-Cebu, he said that the bank has noted high interest among Cebuanos to own cars, from both first time car buyers, and those that want to upgrade their existing models.

In Cebu, bulk of approved loans are from clients buying car units costing from P700 thousand to P1.5 million, which are mostly sedan type to SUVs, Yu said.

According to Yu, this development confirmed the positive economic outlook in Cebu, as purchasing power has moved up in, considerable level.

While the affluent clients are changing their vehicles to the most updated units, the expanding middle-class are also buying new cars from entry-level compact car units, to mid-high brands.

Leuterio said, his new company also aims to eradicate the hassle often experience by car buyers in hopping from one store to another shopping for the right unit of their preference and budget capacity.

"We will constantly update or listings, and partnership with car dealers, and car owners who may want to sell their cars, as well as banks and financial institutions, to make the platform a comprehensive car shopping portal," added Leuterio. — (FREEMAN)