COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. Maxus Philippines launches the T60 pickup at Arcovia City, Pasig City on Thursday (March 5, 2020). Maxus T60 is an addition to light commercial vehicle lineup of the automotive company. (Photo courtesy of Maxus Philippines)
MANILA – Maxus Philippines is still confident in the Philippine market as it targets to sell a thousand units of vehicles this year amid threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and as the government considers to impose a safeguard measure on imported vehicles, its executive told reporters.
At the launching of Maxus T60 pickup in Pasig City Thursday, Maxus Philippines General Manager Reginald See said the company does not expect any major impact of Covid-19 to its business here despite Maxus sourcing its vehicles from Shanghai.
“We were able to get our supplies earlier before the Chinese New Year. So even they had extended Chinese New Year because of the Covid-19, our stocks are already here even for the parts stocks,” he said.
See said Shanghai Automotive, the manufacturer of Maxus vehicles and the largest automotive producer in Shanghai, has resumed their operations two weeks ago and is able to ship more orders to Maxus Philippines.
He added the company supports the investigation initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on imported vehicles.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said a safeguard measure on imported vehicles is being considered to protect local assemblers.
“We have to check it first if the figures are correct. That’s why, I think the investigation is okay because DTI will be able to verify at least the figures for both sides,” See said.
He added that if the government will impose safeguard measures, it will affect the whole automotive industry as well as consumers with the higher prices of vehicles.
Maxus Philippines added the T60 model to complete its light commercial vehicle lineup.
Last year, the company launched its G10 multipurpose vehicle and V80 passenger and cargo van.
Aside from targeting to sell a thousand units of vehicle this year, which is higher than its sales in 2019, Maxus Philippines targets to add more five dealership networks for 2020.
Currently, it has dealerships in Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Taguig, Cebu, and Iloilo. (PNA)
