By Kris Crismundo/PNA
MANILA — KIA Philippines aims to raise its sales back to the 10,000-unit level next year, as AC Automotive relaunches the brand in 2019.
In a media briefing Monday, KIA Philippines President Manny Aligada said that now, with the backing of the Ayala Group, selling 10,000 units in 2019 is once more within reach. The company already achieved this in 2015, when the South Korean car brand hit its record-high sales in this country.
“We would like to bring this number back or even exceed that,” Aligada said.
He noted that starting this year, KIA has been strengthening its brand emphasizing on its partnership with the Ayala Group. It also aims to boost its dealer network and launch competitive financing packages to drive sales.
KIA’s sales in the Philippines reached more than 10,000 units in 2015 before slowing down to 7,304 units in 2016, 5,186 units in 2017, and 2,400 units as of October this year, he revealed.
Its best-selling model in the Philippines is the Picanto model, its cheapest vehicle ranging around PHP635,000 to PHP798,000.
Aligada said KIA is set to launch three new models in the Philippines starting next month.
Currently, KIA has a total of 37 dealerships and outlets nationwide — 10 in Metro Manila and 27 in provinces.
AC Automotive manages six vehicle brands including Volkswagen, Honda, Isuzu, Maxus, KTM motorcycles, and KIA.
