Motor Image Pilipinas has been fairly quiet this 2025, and we probably know why: sales aren’t doing too well.
Aside from skipping the Manila International Auto Show this year, the official distributor of Subaru vehicles only brought in the Crosstrek 2.0i-L GT Edition and WRX with STI kit to the market.
Well, according to Motor Image’s parent company, Tan Chong International Limited’s Interim Results for the first half of 2025, Motor Image Pilipinas has suffered a 64 percent decrease in sales in the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2024. The brand attributes their poor sales performance to the Philippines’ preferential tax schemes that favor new energy vehicles (NEVs) as well as its aging line-up.
Across other Motor Image markets, the situation’s the same with Hong Kong, China, and their largest market (volume-wise), Taiwan all suffering declines of 13 percent, 43 percent, and 36 percent respectively. The situation’s the same in Malaysia (-37 percent), and Vietnam (-40 percent). Cambodia recorded no growth, while Thailand saw sales grow by 100 percent.
Meanwhile, in Motor Image’s home market of Singapore, thanks to “a series of process improvements and cost rationalizations,” they’ve begun to realize enhanced efficiency and competitiveness. In fact, sales there jumped 181 percent.
No exact numbers were provided in the TCIL interim results,
Not everything is all doom and gloom, however. Motor Image remains optimistic for an upward trajectory this second half of 2025. Aside from the opening of Subaru Pampanga, they’re hinging their success on the all-new Subaru Forester Hybrid which is confirmed to arrive within the calendar year. This is something that has been confirmed via filings done with the Department of Energy.
The Forester Hybrid will also be launched in China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam within 2025. In fact, the first Motor Image market to receive it was in Hong Kong.
Known officially as the Forester e-Boxer Hybrid, it arrived here in one variant but comes fully loaded with features including LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate with kick sensor, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, large sunroof, 11.6-inch full HD display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charger, and a Harman Kardon speaker system with subwoofer.
Because Subaru Ph is not bringing(selling) in their latest models like the Solterra, Impreza, Forester hybrid, Crosstrek hybrid. Soon there will also be the Trailseeker and Uncharted. My advice to Subaru Ph would be just bring in all the models and to price their cars reasonably.
ReplyDeleteWala naman kasi snow sa mga bansa na nabanggit at halos sementado na mga kalsada
ReplyDeletesubaru vehicles are way expensive (also mazda) compared to other japanese brands, also very limited models to choose from. their service and (especially) parts are also prohibitive high. I know from experience since we have an old forester. not to mention few dealerships
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Subaru.
DeleteI also love Subaru, also had a Forester before, but they're falling behind on all fronts. I wouldn't be surprised if Subaru ends up being acquired by Toyota.
DeleteJDM -- numba 1 (no.1 sa mahal ng maintenance..)
ReplyDelete64% ? many months of the year must've no sales
ReplyDeleteMost likely sad
ReplyDeleteCould it be because they are selling thailand made vehicles at 'made in japan' prices? Malakas subaru when most of their cars were made in japan, justified ang high price dati. Ayaw ng buyers mabudol
ReplyDelete