Results of a third-party evaluation of the Montero model cleared Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. of the so-called “sudden unintended acceleration” or SUA issue filed by a group of Montero vehicle owners in 2015.
MMPC vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin said a copy was given to the Trade Department as a form of courtesy and “for keeping them updated on the issue.”
“While a third-party assessment has already cleared us from SUA, we are not sure how the Trade Department will use this. Even though the third-party report was commissioned by MMPC, it’s still a third-party report. We might have the third party report, but for them, it might not be the basis,” Dytianquin said at the sidelines of the official launch of the MMPC Auto Financial Services Friday night.
Dytianquin said the Trade Department in coming up with its own decision might also engage the services of third-party experts to “prove there is SUA.”
More than half of those who filed charges seeking for remuneration or unit-swapping withdrew their cases. Eleven owners are still pushing with their cases.
“There was no settlement. Some of the owners withdrew their charges at the DTI level. I believe, they realized there is no real case here, there is no SUA. Even they cannot produce the experts,” Dytianquin said.
Mitsubishi Montero remains the biggest contributor to the company’s sales in 2015 and in the first 10 months of 2016, with sales averaging 4,500 units a month.
Dytinaquin said full details of the third-party assessment would be released by the company as soon as the Trade Department gave the green light.
MMPC expressed optimism the captive financing option would drive vehicle sales.
MMPC Auto Financing Services president and chief executive Mikihisa Takayama said the newly-formed company would provide assistance to about 20 percent of buyers.
Mitsubishi is looking at selling more than 100,000 annually by 2020, with about 20 percent or 20,000 units purchased using the financing option.
“Although the interest rates should be at par with market, the turnaround time will be a lot faster and owning a car easier. Having captive financing may also bring in more customers to the fold,” Takayama said.
MMPC AutoFinancing can shoulder up to 80 percent of the total unit cost, payable in 60 months.
