It has only been a short three years since Volkswagen Philippines, through the Ayala Corporation, set up shop in the country. Yet within this short span of time, and despite an even longer absence from the local automotive scene, the iconic German brand has managed to come out on top of the Philippine European car market in 2016.
Volkswagen managed to deliver a total of 1,060 units from January to December 2016. That’s a staggering 76% growth vis-à-vis the same period in 2015. This stellar performance can be attributed to a more diverse product range, a growing dealer network, numerous awards given by various automotive publications and organizations, and a more sophisticated buying public.
Apart from the cult classic Beetle, VW Philippines also offers a model for pretty much every need and want. There’s the hot Golf and its even hotter GTI sibling, the Jetta sedan, Polo hatch and sedan for the cost-conscious subcompact buyer, the Touran for the family man, the Tiguan and Touareg for those who need an SUV, and the Passat for those looking for a luxury sedan.
Moreover, these very same models have won various awards from the different automobile publications and organizations in the country. This is a testament to their overall performance both on the road and in terms of brand confidence. Speaking of distinctions, VW;s Child Safety Initiative has likewise been recognized a number of times—reinforcing the belief that teaching kids about road safety is truly a worthwhile effort.
The year 2016 also saw more VW dealerships being added to the growing network. Volkswagen now has a presence in Iloilo City nd Bacolod City, as well as the bustling San Fernando City in Pampanga. These are in addition to the existing ones in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, and Cebu. The continuing expansion is part of VW Philippines’ effort to bring the brand closer to the people.
And that’s really what Volkswagen stands for, right? It does translate to People’s Car in German. And while it may not exactly be the affordable VW it once was meant to be, VW Philippines is confident that the brand will still be the top-of-mind choice when people consider leveling up to a European ride this 2017.
