Philippines vehicle makers jack up output by 63%

MANILA, Philippines — Motor vehicle production in the Philippines zoomed by 63.8 percent in the first two months of the year, the fastest in Southeast Asia.

Based on data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Automotive Federation (AAF), 18,592 motor vehicles were assembled in the Philippines from January to February this year compared to 11,348 in the same period last year.

Malaysia followed the Philippines as it posted the second highest growth rate at 29.8 percent, Indonesia at 9.5 percent, and Thailand at 6.7 percent.

On the other hand, Myanmmar posted the largest decline at 95.3 percent, followed by Vietnam with a 34.7 percent contraction.

A total of 747,152 motor vehicles were assembled in the region in January to February, 9.6 percent higher than the 681,486 units in the same period last year.

The Philippines also posted the highest growth rate in motor vehicle sales during the period at 35.7 percent, selling a total of 61,164 units, higher than the 45,069 units sold in the same period a year ago.

The country was followed by Malaysia and Indonesia with a 29.5 percent and 9.6 percent growth in the first two months, respectively.

In contrast, Myanmmar posted the largest decline in motor vehicle sales at 87.1 percent.

Three other ASEAN countries also posted declines in motor vehicle sales in the period particularly, Vietnam with 24.6 percent, Singapore with 16.7 percent, and Thailand with 4.7 percent.

Motor vehicle sales in the ASEAN rose by 6.9 percent in January to February to 537,676.

Data from the AAF also showed that the Philippines’ motorcycle and scooter production jumped by 53.1 percent in the first two months of 2023 to 240,197 units, the highest growth among ASEAN countries tracked by AAF.

Both Malaysia and Thailand also posted increases in motorcycle and scooter production at 36.9 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Motorcycles and scooters assembled within the ASEAN jumped by 33.7 percent in period to 736,581 units.

Moreover, the Philippines also registered an 18.8 percent increase in motorcycle and scooter sales to 296,433 units from 249,219 units.

Both Malaysia and Thailand also posted increases in motorcycle and scooter sales during the period at 33.6 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.

Singapore, on the other hand, posted a 2.5 percent decline in the first two months.

Motorcycle and scooter sales in ASEAN increased by 16.3 percent to 322,104 units from 627,119 units.