Philippine vehicle output, sales rise 2nd fastest in Southeast Asia

by Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star), 9 Aug 2021

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines posted the second fastest growth in motor vehicle production and sales in Southeast Asia in the first semester, registering double-digit increases from last year when demand for cars was affected by the strict lockdown imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Automotive Federation (AAF) showed the Philippines assembled 41,527 motor vehicles in the first half, up 48.7 percent from 27,919 units in the same period last year.

Compared to its neighbors, growth in Philippine motor vehicle production was the second highest next to Vietnam, which surged 69.9 percent in the six-month period.

Other Southeast Asian countries with higher motor vehicle production in the first semester are Malaysia (45.3 percent), Indonesia (39.5 percent) and Thailand (39.3 percent), while Myanmar’s declined 83 percent.

As of end-June, motor vehicles produced in ASEAN rose 41.2 percent to 1.74 million units from 1.23 million units a year ago.

In terms of motor vehicles sold, the Philippines also had the second fastest growth in ASEAN as sales jumped 56 percent to 132,767 units in the first half from 85,041 units the previous year.

Posting the fastest growth in motor vehicle sales in the January to June period was Singapore at 58.7 percent.

Most neighbors also saw increased motor vehicle sales in the first semester such as Indonesia (50.8 percent), Malaysia (43.6 percent), Vietnam (40.4 percent) and Thailand (30.3) percent, while Myanmar’s dipped 33.8 percent.

Total motor vehicle sales in ASEAN climbed 41.4 percent to 1.39 million units as of end-June from 986,012 units in the same period last year.

AAF data also showed the Philippines had the fastest growth in terms of motorcycle production and sales in ASEAN in the first half.

In particular, the number of motorcycles manufactured in Philippine factories surged 92.6 percent to 450,524 units in the first semester from 233,948 units a year ago.

Thailand came in second with a 47.3 percent growth, while Malaysia was third with a 44 percent increase.

ASEAN’s total motorcycle output expanded 56.4 percent to 1.72 million units as of end-June from 1.1 million units in the same period in the previous year.

Sales of motorcycles in the Philippines jumped 59.5 percent to 719,234 units in the first six months from 451,034 units in the same period last year.

Placing second was Malaysia with a 40.5 percent growth in motorcycle sales, followed by Thailand with a 19.2 percent increase, and Singapore with an 18.8 percent uptick.

Total motorcycle sales in ASEAN grew 35.3 percent to 1.86 million units as of end-June from 1.36 million units in the same period a year ago.