By Tessa R. Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CAR manufacturers seem to shrug off successive oil price increases as just part of the inevitable, and hope that Filipino buyers would do the same. And from the looks of it, things are still going the carmakers’ way, as new car launches continue left and right, and buyers aren’t just window shopping.

The newest car launch was courtesy of General Motors (featuring its new Chevy Aveo hatchback). This is to be followed by other launches of Mitsubishi (public launch of the new Lancer EX), Motor Image Pilipinas’ Subaru (launching the full-sized SUV Tribeca) and Nissan (introducing the Livina MPV).

In April, the auto industry registered a year-to-date growth of 14.8 percent compared to the same period (January to April) last year. There were 39,981 units sold, of which 11,078 units were sold in April alone.

In an e-mail to the motoring press, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Philippines Inc. (Campi) revealed a month-on-month sales growth for April at 4.3 percent—respectable for the situation the industry is in.

Campi president Elizabeth Lee said in a press statement that the Philippine market, “generally characterized by a greater share of commercial vehicle sales, continue to remain strong.” CVs continue to dominate the local market, covering 66 percent of total vehicle sales nationwide.

Whetting the appetite for new cars are Aveo hatchback, the Lancer EX (public launch on May 24), the 2008 Subaru Tribeca (to be launched last week of May) and the new Nissan MPV Grand Livina (for public launch in June).

For Subaru enthusiasts, gas consumption gets the least of their attention. What matters is the aluminum Subaru Boxer 3.6-liter boxer-type engine; symmetrical all-wheel drive; 18” sports rims; leather seats; dual zone automatic air-conditioning; front, side and curtain airbags; and the 4 Sensor/4 Channel ABS (antilock brake system).

Nissan Motor Philippines will be revealing in mid-June why the Grand Livina deserves to be called the “MPV of Asia.”

“But inquiries are already pouring into our dealers,” said Allen Chen, president of NMPI, in a press statement. “This situation has made our dealers open to receive orders of the new Grand Livina earlier than we expected.”

The Nissan Grand Livina was crafted at the Nissan Technical Center in Atsugi, Japan, for the Asian market. Penned by Nissan’s best design team at the Nissan Design Center, the Grand Livina puts together real-world MPV qualities with the compact nimbleness and performance of a sedan. This provides what Nissan calls a “shift in expectations.”

“The idea is to conceptualize a modern vehicle for the new-generation family,” explained Steven Hu, assistant vice president of NMPI. Hu was with the team that successfully launched the Livina lineup in Taiwan. His expertise in developing the vehicle to meet the needs of each specific market proved to be particularly useful in the emergence of this MPV for the Asian region.

The design itself is basically a mixture of Asian and European influences. Its chrome-finished radiator grille, reminiscent of the mighty Murano, the rising rear window and roof-line arches reveal a Euro-chic image close to the Renault models, while the compact styling and interior versatility are unmistakable Asian influences.

Chen advised the motoring public interested in the Grand Livina to check out www.grandlivina.com.ph.

Commercial vehicle (CV) sales, year-to-date, registered a 16.2-percent growth with a strong month-on-month 7.4-percent increase for April compared to March.

The increase in CV sales is attributed to a sustained growth in the LCV (light commercial vehicle) segment, which comprise of pickup trucks, vans and compact SUVs.

The Philippine auto industry, thus far, is bucking the general trend seen in other countries such as the United States, where rising fuel prices coupled with a softening economy have resulted in a downward trend in CV sales.

Passenger car sales in the Philippines for the month of April declined slightly, but overall, PCs still generated a growth of 12.1 percent for the year. Auto players continue to support sales with dealer incentive promos for buyers. Fleet accounts also factored in the sales for the month of April. The industry outlook continues to be positive for the year.