Successful back-to-back marketing efforts position Suzuki
Philippines higher on sales charts
MANILA—Suzuki Philippines
(SPH), the country’s pioneer compact car distributor, finishes the first
quarter of the year with flying colors, posting the highest year-to-date (YTD)
vehicle sales increase in the entire local automotive industry.
Achieving 21.4 percent YTD
sales growth in March, SPH strengthens its presence in the market and sets its
sight on continued uptick in the months to come. It hopes to continue moving up
the industry sales charts after taking the top 6 position in local automobile
sales, a step up from its seventh rank in the first quarter of 2017.
The initial phase
implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law slowed
down the auto industry in recent months, with sales in nearly all auto
categories declining. Suzuki Philippines cushioned itself from the negative
impact by strategically deciding to keep its 2017 price list for a certain
period in Q1. This buoyed up company sales further, with Q1 sales growth double
that of the entire local auto industry.
“We were prudent with our marketing efforts
for the first quarter of the year because we anticipated developments in the
business landscape as a result partly of the TRAIN Law and of course other
factors,” shared SPH Vice President and Automobile Division General Manager
Shuzo Hoshikura. “The Suzuki brand has been consistently driving forward,
strengthening its market footprint nationwide. It would be a step back to not
take advantage of all opportunities to resonate better with our key
stakeholders, in particular reflect the resiliency of the Filipino people.”
Ertiga, Celerio and Vitara: Still market favorites
The consistently strong performance of the company’s top-selling
vehicles in recent months, particularly the Ertiga, Celerio and Vitara models,
contributed largely to the robust increase in sales for the first quarter. The
three award-winning models combined accounted for 58 percent of the auto
brand’s sales for the period.
The well-loved family vehicle
Ertiga continues to be the best-selling Suzuki vehicle with 33 percent share of
sales. The Ertiga delivers utility, power and cost efficiency, perfect for
Filipinos looking for a vehicle that offers top-tier functionality. The
7-seater vehicle is designed to provide comfort with maximized accommodation
capacity.
Celerio, the Best
Value-for-Money awardee in the standard mini category in last year’s Auto Focus
People’s Choice Awards (AFMCA), ranks second in terms of Suzuki sales with a 13
percent share. The hatchback features a 1-liter engine and a light compact
design, delivering power and efficiency for a fun and versatile drive.
With a 12 percent sales
share, the recently launched Vitara, becomes a Suzuki best-seller. The 2017
CAGI Car of the Year awardee under the Subcompact Crossover Category boasts
strong personalization features in its stylish design. Delivering enhanced
driving and safety, the new-generation subcompact SUV makes city driving more
enjoyable for Filipino riders.
Continued marketing efforts bolster Suzuki’s influence
Targeted and effective brand-building efforts, specifically
expansion and network building initiatives, contribute to strengthening the
Suzuki brand’s foothold in the country. Dealership openings in key growth areas
such as Isabela—and soon in Rizal and Batangas—widen the company’s reach,
enabling it to serve more Filipinos while increasing brand visibility.
Hoshikura expressed his
gratitude to the Filipino market for the warm support received by the brand in
the Philippines.
“The active support we get
from the local market inspires us to pursue our goal of sharing with more
people the Suzuki Way of Life. The most we can do to return the warm market
response is to deliver on the promise of providing Filipinos with only the
best-value vehicles and services. We are truly grateful for all these
opportunities that the Philippine auto industry continues to give us,” said
Hoshikura.
Earlier this month, Suzuki
Philippines participated for the first time at the Manila International Auto
Show (MIAS) 2018, cementing the brand’s presence and competence in the market.
Best-selling and award-winning Suzuki models such as the Vitara, Ciaz and
Ertiga were displayed during the 4-day event. To celebrate the inaugural
participation of Suzuki in MIAS, the soon-to-launch all-new Dzire with Auto
Gear Shift (AGS) technology upgrade was also put on display.
For more information about Suzuki Philippines and their
automobiles, please visit www.suzuki.com.ph and like them on www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH.
(ADVT)
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