OnPatrolPH by Ricky Velasco/Clift Daluz
|With aggressive and competitive marketing strategies, pioneer compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) concludes 2018 with 2.5 percent year-end sales growth and back-to-back awards and recognitions.
SPH sales for 2018 remained on the uptrend despite the slowdown faced by the automotive industry. The steady sales growth is attributed to the warm acceptance of the product and the brand along with successful dealership network expansion.
“Suzuki Philippines has been performing really well in the past months despite the challenges faced by the industry, thanks to the hard work of the whole team and the support we’ve been receiving from our customers and partners. Our newly introduced products—the new Dzire and new Swift—are very well-received by the market. Our efforts to reach and boost our presence in other economic zones all over the country are also successful, with a total of nine dealerships inaugurated last year, of which seven are 3S dealerships offering sales, service, and spare parts to Filipino customers. All these are definitely part of our continued commitment to share the Suzuki Way of Life! with more Filipinos, and we look forward to the unceasing support of everyone,” shared SPH Director and General Manager Keiichi Suzuki.
SPH top-selling vehicles of 2018
Suzuki Philippines will continue to bring chart-topping quality vehicles designed to match the needs and characters of Filipinos and suited to the driving conditions in the country. The Ertiga, Celerio and Vitara remain the best-selling Suzuki models, collectively accounting for 56 percent of total sales in 2018.
The all-time popular family multipurpose vehicle (MPV) Ertiga led last year’s lineup with 30 percent share of sales. Its 7-seater capacity, fuel efficiency, and compact dimensions with spacious interior captured the hearts of many Filipino fans.
The crowd-favorite hatchback Celerio ranked second, accounting for 14 percent of sales. This compact car boasts a highly rigid and low-weight body for easier maneuverability and worry-free driving.
Coming close at third place is the subcompact crossover Vitara with 12 percent share of sales. This modern SUV has grabbed the attention of the automotive industry since its introduction in 2017 for to its high personalization features, fuel efficiency and affordability.
Back-to-back awards and recognitions
In addition to its outstanding sales performance for 2018, SPH marks another year of successive awards and accolades. The Vitara, Jimny and Dzire bagged awards from well-known award-giving bodies.
The refreshed and innovative Vitara, introduced in late 2017, continues to hug the spotlight. After winning the CAGI Car of the Year Award under the Subcompact Crossover Category in 2017, Vitara made it to last year’s Car of the Year Awards by Top Gear Philippines. It ranked fifth on the editor’s top 5 industry picks and bagged the Reader’s Choice Value Pick Award, which was based on readers’ and online followers’ votes.
The Jimny was named Best Value for Money under the subcompact SUV Category during the 2018 STV Media’s Choice Award. Aside from its iconic look, this off-roader SUV features a sturdy yet compact body.
The recently launched Suzuki Dzire also stood out in its category, successfully bringing home the Best Mini Compact award from the 14th Annual C! Awards. Its compact dimensions and innovative technology make this sedan the smart choice for Filipino drivers.
A more competitive industry in 2019
Fueled by the significant milestones achieved during the past year, SPH is even more passionate and dedicated to boost its foothold in the local automotive industry. Filipinos can look forward to more aggressive and strategic marketing efforts, new product launches, dealership openings and top-quality services from SPH this year.
A new and improved Ertiga is expected to be available early this year. With its more sophisticated look and improved drivability, the 7-seater Ertiga is sure to capture the hearts of Filipino families.
The relentless excitement among local car enthusiasts and fans of the iconic 4×4 Jimny 2019 will not be in vain as the most-anticipated car of 2018 is set to penetrate the local market this year.
“SPH has always been creating and looking forward to more opportunities every year. We have many plans for 2019 not just to further boost the brand but to surpass our achievements last year if possible. We have prepared more aggressive marketing strategies and expansion initiatives to drive our goal of bringing the Suzuki Way of Life! to more Filipinos across the country,” said Suzuki.
