Honda eyes 10% sales growth

MANILA, Philippines - Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is aiming for a 10 percent growth in sales next year amid the rising demand for vehicles in the country.

“We expect at least 10 percent growth in sales next year,” HCPI president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters.

For this year, he said HCPI expects total sales to be “almost the same or slightly higher than last year.”

HCPI sold a total of 13,356 units last year.

Kuwahara said the company does not expect a big increase in sales this year as the company had to reduce production of its best-selling vehicle the City, prior to the launch of the new generation of the model in April.

He also said the firm has seen a reduction in sales of the previous generations of other new vehicle models rolled out this year.

“Before the launch of a new model, we see a reduction in the sale of previous generation…But for next year, we expect all models to contribute to the sales performance,” he said.

Apart from the City, HCPI unveiled earlier this year new generations of the Accord, Jazz, Civic and CR-V.

HCPI also introduced new vehicle models earlier this year such as the Brio and Brio Amaze.

For next year, Kuwahara said the company plans to launch new cars here including the new generation of the Pilot.

Other vehicle models being sold by HCPI are the CR-Z and Odyssey.

Asked about plans to assemble new vehicle models at its plant in Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Kuwahara said the decision will depend on the automotive roadmap to be released by the government.

The City is the only Honda vehicle assembled in Laguna.

Kuwahara said that while any action from the government to help grow the automotive market would be welcomed, he would like the road map to offer incentives that will encourage Filipino consumers to purchase locally-assembled cars.

A reduction in taxes and duties for locally-made vehicles, he said, would lead to lower prices and allow more consumers to own a car.