Nissan Philippines Inc. is doubling its presence in the provinces with 20 new dealerships in the next four years and increasing sales by 40 percent in 2015.
Nissan Motor Company Ltd., the mother unit of Nissan Philippines, said Philippine economic growth would translate into better opportunities for car companies like Nissan.
“This year, we are looking at signing up 10 new dealerships, all outside Metro Manila. We are encouraged by the positive momentum of [the gross doemstic product], the highest rate in the Asean region,” Nissan Motor corporate vice president for Toru Hasegawa said Monday night during the launch of the all-new Navarra at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
He said the Philippines would continue to play a vital role in the company’s presence in Southeast Asia.
“We are aiming for an 8 percent market share in global automotive industry and another 8 percent in operational profit. We expect that our operations here will contribute to our global targets,” he said.
Hasegawa noted that with the Philippine car ownership ratio of 35 cars per 1,000 population, the local automotive sector had a big potential for growth, compared to Indonesia’s 200:1000 and Japan’s 400:1000.
He noted that the merger of two Nissan companies in the Philippines would boost the company to compete with other automotive makers.
Universal Motors Corp., now Univation Motor Philippines Inc., at one time was producing and distributing Nissan commercial vehicles, while Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. was making and selling sedans.
The two companies are still Nissan’s partners in the production of Urvan and Patrol and the Almera, respectively.
Nissan Philippine president Antonio Zara said the company aimed to be the third top pick-up manufacturer in the Philippines with as much as 400 units forecast for fiscal year ending March 2016.
Nissan is selling the all-new Navara at an lower price than its predecessor due to efficient manufacturing in its Thailand plant, the new production hub for the pick-up after the company abandoned production in the Philippines.