The auto industry is moving forward, impressively. Last week, everyone was talking about the 12.9 percent increase in vehicle sales in October, compared to September figures. The increase, though, was in part contributed by many people who were affected by the floods – and lost their vehicles. It is significant that the banking institutions helped in getting more vehicles sold. Banks offered easy-own financing packages too difficult to resist especially if you need a vehicle now.

On a year-to-date record, the industry increased sales by 1.3 percent to 106,146 units from 104,757 units in the January to October 2008 period. With that figure, the industry may reach the 120,000 units target for this year set by the Chamber of Auto Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.

When the economy picks up, we hope to come closer to the auto industry figures of our Southeast Asia neighbors. Thailand's auto industry is 615,296 units in 2008!

As we were closing this issue, we received news that Ford Group Philippines reported a 10 percent increase in sales of Ford vehicles in October, from September figures. The good sales of the Escape and Everest fueled this increase. This increase went well with Ford’s upward trend in the past five months (June to October), with overall sales rising 25 percent compared to the same period last year. On the otherhand, sales of the Mazda brand rose by 42 percent in October, pushed by the Mazda3 and the BT-50 pickup.

Last week, the local auto industry was busy with the launching of new vehicles. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. launched the BEEP, a vehicle inspired by the bus and the jeep, thus its name.

Working in cooperation with Almazora Motors, who made the body, MMPC aims to offer a mass transport vehicle that has a cleaner engine than the old jeepneys and buses clogging our streets. The BEEP looks like it will also replace school buses, company shuttles and the tourist buses because of its size. It is smaller than the bus but can seat 26 and have space for eight standing passengers because of the high-ceiling design. It is also air-conditioned, to make the trip comfortable.

The day after MMPC officially introduced the BEEP, a new company – The Covenant Car Company – introduced itself to the media as the exclusive and independent distributor of Chevrolet cars and parts in the Philippines. The partnership between GM and TCCCI is welcome news especially to owners of Chevrolet vehicles who now know that their vehicles will not be orphaned. TCCCI will service all Chevrolet vehicles through the 12 dealer-network around the country. TCCCI is headed by Atty. Albert Arcilla.

The week did not end there. Mazda Philippines launched two SUVs in the local market on the same week – the CX7 and the CX9. Iñigo Roces describes those new models in this issue.

As the week ended, Isuzu Philippines Corp. held another test drive event over rougher off-road terrain in East Malaysia, for the D-Max 4x4. Next week, we shall tell you how the D-Max performed and how a group of motoring journalists handled the right-hand-drive pickup in unfamiliar terrain.

Meanwhile, car enthusiasts are preparing for the Manila Auto Salon which opens on Nov. 26 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex. Three events will be part of this show: the custom car show, the sport truck show and the mobile electronics and technology show.

The auto industry is moving forward – and up!