Nissan secures 3rd spot as top selling brand in PHL

Nissan became the third top-selling vehicle brand in the country, industry data showed.

Citing the Philippine Automotive Industry Report for the month of May, Nissan Philippines Inc. said its sales increased by 48 percent year-on-year— the highest ever for the company since it began operations in the country in 2014.

Sales in May were driven by the Nissan Navara, accounting for 50 percent of the brand’s total performance followed by the Nissan Urvan with 28 percent of sales and the Nissan Almera with 17 percent.

“We are very proud to have reached this milestone,” Ramesh Narasimhan, president and managing director for Nissan in the Philippines, said.

“This is the result of listening carefully to our customers’ needs. We will bring more innovative products and after-sales services to more customers around the country," Narasimhan added.

For the entire automotive industry, however, sales slowed down 13.7 percent last month as buyers made purchases ahead of the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. 

The automotive industry sold 30,620 units in May, down 13.7 percent from 35,469 in the same month last year.

Nissan Philippines said its entry into the mid-size SUV segment is expected to support the brand’s continued growth this year.

The company recently opened new dealerships in Dumaguete, Butuan, and Batangas. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News