Car sales rise 6% to 111,582 units in January-September

MANILA, Philippines – Local car assemblers reported a six-percent rise in sales in the first nine months of the year, riding on the back of strong economic growth and launch of new models.

In a statement yesterday, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) said total sales hit 111,582 units as of end-September, higher than the 105,306 units sold in the same period last year.

“CAMPI’s performance can be attributed to the continued strength that the Philippine economy has shown this year,” it said.

The group added that the influx of new models likewise contributed to higher sales.

For the month of September alone, CAMPI members sold 12,856 units, up 2.8 percent from last year’s 12,509 units.

For the year, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. increased its share of the market, accounting for 41.5 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. had the second largest share of the market at 22.3 percent.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. came in third with an 8.3- percent share.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the group is pleased with its performance for September.

“Manufacturers are back on track and have made up for lost sales opportunities from the previous month,” he said.

CAMPI reported a 1.3-percent year-on-year dip in sales in August to 11,351 units, with monsoons and heavy floods reducing the number of working days during that month.

Gutierrez said he is optimistic CAMPI will achieve its year-end target because of the country’s positive economic indicators coupled with the fact that the last quarter of the year is seasonally high in terms of sales.

CAMPI expects total industry sales to reach 185,000 units this year. –Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)