Motor vehicle production up by 2.9% in 10 months

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines continued to post an increase in motor vehicle production in the first 10 months, but the country’s output remains behind the majority of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Based on data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Automotive Federation (AAF), 73,823 motor vehicles were assembled in the Philippines from January to October, a 2.9 percent increase from the previous year’s 71,758 units.

All other ASEAN countries tracked by AAF posted double and triple-digit increases in their motor vehicle production during the period, with Myanmar posting the fastest growth at a dramatic 158.2 percent.

This was followed by Vietnam (59.9 percent) Malaysia (53.7 percent), Indonesia (34.5 percent) and Thailand (17.1 percent).

A total of 3.65 million motor vehicles were assembled in the region as of end-October, 29 percent higher than the 2.83 million units in the same period a year ago.

In terms of motor vehicle sales, the Philippines sold 280,300 units in the first 10 months, up 30.9 percent year-on-year, the third largest growth during the period.

Vietnam had the biggest growth in sales as of end-October at 52.2 percent followed by Malaysia with a 50.7 percent growth.

Similarly, Thailand and Indonesia posted increases in motor vehicle sales at 25.9 percent and 21.1 percent, respectively.

In contrast, both Singapore and Myanmar posted declines in motor vehicle sales, at 30.1 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively.

Motor vehicle sales in the ASEAN rose by 30.4 percent to 2.84 million units from January to October.

Data from the AAF also showed that the Philippines’ motorcycle and scooter production increased by 5.9 percent to 770,538 units.

Both Malaysia and Thailand posted increases in motorcycle and scooter production, with the former posting the largest increase at 47.5 percent.

Motorcycles and scooters assembled within the ASEAN increased by 17.6 percent to 2.97 million units.

The Philippines registered a 12.9-percent increase in motorcycle and scooter sales during the period to 1.3 million units.

Malaysia posted the largest increase in motorcycle and scooter sales at 45.7 percent.

Thailand and Singapore also posted increases in motorcycle and scooter sales at 13.7 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.

Total motorcycles and scooters sold in the ASEAN as of end-September went up by nearly 17.6 percent to 3.37 million units.