2017 is the year of the Fire Rooster, according to popular feng shui, as it is this time that people will be more oriented toward progress and honor, while simultaneously tempering their supposedly fervor.
For United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI), this year will be a much fruitful period for the group, as it just celebrated its 10th anniversary in the industry last December—and recently decided to revel the milestone just in time for the Chinese New Year.
“Foton Philippines is and would continuously grow further, grow in product offerings, grow in dealership networks and grow in market share,” UAAGI President Rommel Sytin averred during an appreciation dinner for their dealer principals, business partners from financial institutions and media friends held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
“Expect that my team and I will strengthen all partnerships we have, connect our aspirations and maximize all the available potentials,” he continued.
In just a decade, Foton now prides itself with four product segments: passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks and heavy machinery. Each segment comprises numerous model variants, which total to about 50 or more.
“To reach out to customers by offering diversified product lines that cater to their needs, whether it be for personal use, for leisure or for business, Foton will introduce more new products this year and in the years ahead,” Sytin stated.
According to him, Foton dealerships posted a 39-percent growth in performance in 2016 compared to 2015. Furthermore, the past year was also the time when Foton Philippines became an associate member of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (Campi), thus during the group’s sixth Philippine International Motor Show, it was able to showcase passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.
In fact, as part of Campi, the company through its 24 dealerships nationwide, contributed to the industry’s total sales that reached 359,572 units in 2016, a 24.6-percent increase over 2015.
Another milestone is its P1.2-billion assembly plant in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The 11-hectare facility is set to produce 12,000 units annually.
“Having been in the automotive industry for quite a while already, this assembly plant is truly the ultimate goal that my brothers and I had,” Sytin shared during an earlier interview last year.
The Foton plant is envisioned to export vehicles to other markets in the region, like Taiwan and Laos.
“Along with the continued expansion of our dealership and service network, our production facility signifies Foton’s intent to be in the Philippines for the long haul,” he added.
The Chinese automaker is poised to deliver even higher target sales through its growing number of dealerships all over the country. In fact, last year, its network extended to 24 as new dealerships opened on Quezon Avenue; Pasong Tamo; Marilao; Santa Rosa, Laguna; Batangas City; and Camarines Sur.
Within the next couple of years, the company expects to reach a total of at least 35 dealerships nationwide.
In a speech, the head honcho said, “We have managed to retain the top 2 spots for light-duty trucks, surpassing other brands because of our trucks’ durability, reliability and affordability, which translates into brand confidence. And mostly this is because of our Cummins diesel engines.”
Foton strives to stand its ground in technological advancement, as its product lines are equipped with ISF 2.8 Cummins engines, Euro 4 compliant in passenger vehicles, while its light-duty trucks are paving the way for Euro 4-compliant OBD electronic controlled ECUs with common-rail direct injection.
And in response, meanwhile, to cushion themselves in the inevitable rise of price commodities as consequence to the looming excise tax, Sytin confidently answered, “We have the Foton Gratour and light-duty trucks. These vehicles do not form part and are exempted from any upsurge in prices.”
“For this year, our goal is to sell about 6,500 units.”
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes