Volkswagen Philippines is optimistic that their sales growth this year will grow to 50-percent amidst the challenges from last year’s 15-percent industry car sales slowdown.
This was confirmed by Volkswagen Philippines new President Felipe Estrella III, who joined Ayala Corporation in 2010 and has been the Chief Finance Officer of AC Industrials since 2017.
“We aim to better our 2018 sales record by at least 50-percent in 2019,” said Estrella. Despite an industry-wide sales dip of 15-percent in 2018, Volkswagen Philippines stayed the course and sold the same number of units as it did in 2017, with 1,363 units. Its passenger cars sales actually grew by 7-percent despite an industry sales decline of 21-percent. Further, Volkswagen Philippines has achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 67-percent since it started operations in 2013,” he said.
The head honcho of the German car brand plans to intensify the brand’s thrust of bringing German automotive engineering, design, and motoring lifestyle to more Filipinos.
“We are confident that our products will deliver a unique and memorable automotive experience. You never really know how good a car is, until you’re actually in one and driving it. And every Volkswagen model is full of potential,” adds Estrella.
With the introduction of five new models last year, which are all import from China, the company is eyeing to renew the direction of the brand more accessible and approachable to Filipinos, particularly their compact sedan Santana, which only retails at P686,000.
“Volkswagen Philippines is focused on contributing to the development of the Philippine automotive industry and getting it back on track to another golden age of motorization. We look forward to having a bigger, better, and more relevant Volkswagen Philippines powered by the many smiles on our customer’s faces because their drives just got better,” explained Estrella.
The company announced that it would expand its current dealership network to 12 within the year. Volkswagen PH also revealed that it aims to launch two new SUV models. Do you have a clue? It’s starts with a letter T. And lastly, it’s an import from China.