Auto sales shift to higher gear in 9 months

Rollouts rise 26.7% in Jan-Sept

MANILA, Philippines – Vehicle sales accelerated in the first three quarters of the year, fueled by sustained robust demand across all vehicle segments.

A joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) released yesterday showed sales of the local automotive industry surged 26.7 percent to 261,370 units in the nine months to September this year from 206,284 units in the same period last year.

The commercial vehicle segment constituted bulk of sales at 164,334 units, accounting for 62.87 percent of total sales, while the passenger car segment contributed 97,036 units.

Moreover, CAMPI and TMA said sales last month reached a new high as it grew 16.2 percent to 31,451 units from 27,069 units sold in the same month last year, with take-up for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles increasing.

A total 12,110 units of passenger cars were sold last month, 13.1 percent higher compared to September last year and 8.7 percent more from the previous month.

The commercial segment, meanwhile, posted an 18.2 percent growth year-on-year but declined 9.4 percent versus last month.

“With continued strong market demand and enough supply and new model introductions during the Sixth Philippine International Motor Show last September, third quarter sales remained strong. We expect sustained growth as we enter the fourth quarter,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

For the nine-month period, Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. remained the country’s most sought-after brand, having sold a total of 114,419 units for a market share of 43.78 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. was second with sales of 45,326 units, equivalent to a 17.34 percent market share.

Ford Motor Co. Philippines Inc. came next with a 9.56 percent share of the local market, followed by Isuzu Philippines Corp. with 7.47 percent and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 6.51 percent.

CAMPI is looking at a record-setting performance for the automotive industry this year with total industry sales seen reaching 370,000 units behind the strong growth of the country’s economy.