THE microchip shortage continues to bedevil the motoring industry. Without the chips, car production suffers terribly—almost on a worldwide scale.
It’s obvious: In the absence of chips—or the short supply of it—manufacturing issues virtually cripple operations.
“Distribution also takes the backseat with production almost at a standstill,” said Dr. David Go, the vice chairman of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP).
The supply chain also becomes an automatic collateral damage.
As a result, sales surge is stunted as orders of prime variants continue to pile. Many car companies are reeling, including industry leader Toyota.
Dealers gripe non-stop over the continued non-arrival of choice luxury models.
“Since allocations are hard to come by, the queue for orders like the Land Cruiser and Elite Grandia is quite long now,” said Atty. Reginaldo Oben of Toyota Otis/Balintawak/North Edsa/Marilao.
For the Elite Grandia, the waiting time is one year at the earliest, the Land Cruiser almost two years.
“But it’s nice to know that we have a loyal brigade of customers at Toyota,” Dr. Go said. “They don’t just jump into the other side of the fence.”
When you know a product is quality per se, you will wait for it even forever.
D-MAX dominance
ISUZU D-MAX has once again proven its dominance in the recent dirt time trial racing competition as it conquered three vehicle classes in the 2022 Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX).
The two D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 AT rally vehicles, both sporting minimal modifications, were driven by Mon Dimapilis and Louie Camacho.
The last PHRX, a timed dirt track race that started in 2015, featured nine rounds in Cavite and Pampanga. The D-MAX Team finished No. 1 in three classes.
Camacho was overall champion in the Pick-up, Utility Vehicle and All-Wheel Drive categories, with Dimapilis likewise finishing first in three classes as well.
“We are proud of our accomplishments,” said Isuzu sales executive Robert Carlos. “With another feather on its cap, the Isuzu D-MAX showed strength in different aspects, making it the most popular pick-up in the market today.”
Visit www.isuzuphil.com and www.facebook.com/IsuzuPhilippines for more updates of the Isuzu brand.
PEE STOP Campi and TMA said the industry sold 35,037 units last month, which is a whopping 32.4 percent higher to figures submitted in November 2021: 26,456. Overall, there are 315,337 units sold thus far for the year—a 31-percent growth compared to the 11-month period last year. Sales in 2019, which was a year before the pandemic struck, totaled 369,941. In 2020, sales expectedly fell to 223,793 but rose to 268,488 in a mini rebound in 2021. From January to November this year, Toyota was tops as usual with 156,874 units sold for a huge 48.27 percent market share. Mitsubishi was second with 46,692, Ford third 21,450, Nissan fourth 19,373 and Suzuki fifth 18,118… It’s Party time! I missed several already, the last one being BMW’s Spencer ASY Yu. Senior issues. ASY was kind enough to understand…Merry Christmas!