Mitsubishi Philippines sees record 45,000 cars sold in 2013

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. expects record sales of over 45,000 cars this year, banking on a robust economy to sustain the demand from middle-income buyers and the newly launched Mirage G4 compact sedan to feed the consumers.

 

"We expect more than 45,000 this year,” president and CEO Hikosaburo Shibata told reporters at the launch of Mirage G4 in Taguig City Thursday night. “We are confident we will achieve historic record," he added.

 

Sales in 2012 reached 34,915 units or 22 percent of the 156,649 vehicles sold by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

 

In January, the company projected a 23-percent increase in sales from to 43,000 this year.

 

As the economy grows, "the passenger car segment will increase because the middle class in the  Philippines is increasing," Shibata said.

^{Mitsubishi Motors sees the newly launched Mirage G4 pulling car sales to the goal this year. Photo by Danessa O. Rivera, GMA News}
 

Targeting the young family

The Japanese carmaker is also banking on the Mirage G4 to heave sales toward its goal, considering the previous model was “... very accepted... and we have this new G4... so we're confident.” according to the Mitsubishi official.  

 

"The target market for Mirage G4 is for the younger generation and the young family... family-oriented," he said.

 

The Mirage G4 – which stands for Mirage Global four-door sedan – has a base price of P578,000 for the GLX MT, followed by P628,000 for the GLX CVT. The GLS MT is available for P668,000, and the top of the line GLS CVT sells for P718,000.

 

The latest model started pre-selling in September. Since then the carmaker sold over 1,000 units.

 

Shibata said 1,000 is the magic number at the crosshairs of Mitsubishi's monthly goal for the compact car.

 

"We are Number Three in passenger car segment. Number One is Vios of Toyota, Number Two is Honda City... We hope our share will go up," Shibata noted.

 

Last July, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. launched the Vios 2013. Honda Cars Philippines, meanwhile, launched the enhanced City in 2012.

 

Mitsubishi is now talking to government about the carmaker's plan to raise plant capacity.

 

"We are seriously considering expansion for our new model. We are awaiting programs to be issued," he said. "We are expecting the road map of government for some kind of supportive program. The BOI (Board of Investment) and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) are supportive," he added.

 

The Mirage G4 is a CBU or completely built unit from Mitsubishi Motors Thailand. – VS, GMA News