By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) — Indian automaker Tata Motors Ltd. considers manufacturing its vehicles in the Philippines pushed by its increasing sales in the local market.
Tata Motor’s local arm, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., closed 2014 with around 1,000 unit sales since it started early last year.
Tata Motors’ Ace brand, a utility vehicle model, accounted for 80 percent of total sales in 2014.
Company Director Freddie Raquelsantos told reporters that the company targets to sell at least 1,600 units or doubling its sales at end-2015 in the domestic market.
“If that sales level continues, we might consider local assembly,” Raquelsantos said.
He added that the high tariff rate for auto vehicles also pushes the company to have its assembly here.
“We are studying the volume because we have also higher import tariff at 30 percent,” he said.
To date, Tata Motors has six dealerships nationwide including two showrooms in Cainta, Rizal, and one each in Quezon City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu. (PNA)