NO reason to panic. The 11.2-percent decline in the January sales of 20,765 as compared to the 23,380 units sold in the same period last year was almost expected.
The same is true in the month-on-month double-digit decrease of 25.4 percent from the 27,846 units sold in December 2021, which was the highest monthly sales since the pandemic struck in March 2020.
It is almost a given that every first month of the year will record a downtrend in sales due to the “spending fatigue” triggered traditionally by the Christmas season.
Said Rommel Gutierrez, the president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI): “The industry anticipated a bleak growth last month where historically every first month of the year is sluggish due to a growth sales performance every holiday season.”
Gutierrez, a lawyer holding a key position at Toyota Motor Philippines, also blamed the re-imposition of restrictions in January amid a surge of Covid-19, “resulting in a lukewarm reception” for big-ticket items spending.
Gutierrez said, “The pandemic is something that the industry will have to continue dealing with during these uncertain times, just like other industries, even with the rollout of the vaccines. Hopefully, the Covid-19 will be contained in the foreseeable future so we can all get back on track to recovery.”
He’s got a point as the country continues to enjoy an almost steady stream of alert Level 2—admittedly seen as the barometer spinoff to a full economic rebound.
Lexus promos
LEXUS is offering discounts up to Feb. 28 from 30 percent to 50 percent down payment with zero interest for up to 36 months to its models RX 450h (P5,398,000), RX 350 F Sport (P5,158,000) and RX 350 (P4,498,000).
Buyers of the IS F Sport (P3,808,000), UX 200 F Sport (P3,378,000) and UX 200 (P2,658,000) will get a free 2-year periodic maintenance.
Call Jade B. Sison at +639155020363 for more details.
MG on zero DP
FOR as low as P18k down payment, you can drive home the MG ZS MT Style Crossover SUV, says Chino Subido of MG Philippines, a Covenant subsidiary headed by the energetic lawyer Albert Arcilla.
What a terrific offer. But there’s more.
“Opt for a zero down payment plan and be the proud owner of a brand-new MG 5 Alpha Sedan, or MG RX5 Alpha SUV,” Subido says.
If you buy in cash, your discount can run up to P238,888 on the MG 6 Trophy Fatback Sedan; P198,888 on the MG RX5 Alpha SUV, and P55k on the MG 5 Core Sedan which has an SRP of only P658,888.
A 5-year or 100,000-km warranty, whichever comes first, and a 1-year free periodic maintenance service are also up for grabs.
Call Chino/MG Philippines hotline +639285209022 for more details.
PEE STOP Kudos to Isuzu Pasig for being both the 2021 Dealer of The Year and sales operations frontrunner of Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC). Elenita Go of Isuzu Makati is 2021 Sales Executive of The Year. Cabanatuan is tops in service operations and Bulacan excelled in parts operations. In his speech, Isuzu president Hajime Koso said: “We need to evolve into a company that creates economic values and addresses environmental concerns without harming our natural resources.” Cheers!