CARMAKER Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is keeping its sales growth target of 11 percent this year due to the continued strong performance of its best-sellers and the minimal effect of the Japan twin tragedies in its operations.

“We are still keeping our [2011] sales target of 36,000 units,” Froilan Dytianquin, MMPC assistant vice president for market, said.

In the first four months of the year, MMPC’s sales is still shy of that target as it grew by only 7.4 percent, selling 10,945 units.

Combined reports from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association, showed MMPC posted increases in several industry categories, such as in the light commercial vehicles where it increased by 9.3 percent with 10,238 units sold and in the trucks segment where sales of its Fuso-branded trucks also increased by 72 percent.

MMPC remained as the second best-selling automotive brand in the country as it captured a 22.8-percent market share. 

Hikosaburo Shibata, MMPC president and CEO, said the tragedy in Japan only had limited effect to MMPC’s production.  

“The parts shortage in Japan brought about by the devastating earthquake and tsunami last month has less impact to us especially for our completely knocked-down models such as the Adventure and L300 which comprise 40 percent of our total sales,” he said.

The Adventure and L300 van, produced in MMPC’s Cainta plant in Rizal province, boast of a high local content of more than 50 percent.

Adventure sales increased by 18.4 percent at 2,469 units, while L300 sales went up by 13.2 percent to 1,972 units.

“For completely built-up models coming from Thailand, so far, we are getting continuous supply,” Shibata said. 

MMPC imports the Montero and Strada utility vehicles from Thailand. These vehicles contribute around 50 percent to MMPC’s annual sales.