Vehicle sales zoom past full 2015 level as of Nov

MANILA, Philippines - Vehicle sales of the country’s largest automotive organization zoomed nearly a quarter in the 11 months to November, overtaking the group’s full year output in 2015.

A joint a report released yesterday by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed vehicle sales grew 24.3 percent to 325,468 units from 261,930 units in the same period last year.

As of end-November, automotive sales have already eclipsed total 2015 sales of 288,609 units.

For the month of November alone, sales rose 22.2 percent to 32,966 units  from 26,979 units in the same month last year.

“The good sales performance last November was because of enticing promotions and events matched with good demands of our market. With the robust demand, especially this Christmas season, we expect a stable to higher sales by December,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

The 11-month automotive sales consisted mostly of commercial vehicles with 204,790 units sold or 62.92 percent of total.

Passenger cars accounted for the remaining 37.08 percent, having sold 120,678 units during the period.

In November, all categories had their shares of increases year-on-year, with the passenger car segment taking advantage of the brands’ promotions and events while arrival of stocks from previous months’ orders contributed to the increase in the commercial vehicle segment.

A total 12,143 units of passenger cars were sold last month while 20,823 units of commercial vehicles were bought.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. stayed on top across all brands, posting a 44.34 percent market share.

Toyota’s sales reached 144,488 units as of end-November, up 27.3 percent from 113,519 units during the same period last year.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. came in second with a 17.14 percent share, followed by Ford Motor Philippines Inc. with 9.37 percent.

Mitsubishi sales for the 11-month period stood at 55,793 units while Ford sold 30,490 units.

Completing the five best-selling brands in the country as of end-November are Isuzu Philippines Corp. and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with market shares of 7.5 percent and 6.27 percent, respectively.