By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Motor vehicle sales in the country still remained in the doldrums almost one year and a half after the implementation of the TRAIN Law which slapped higher excise taxes on cars.
Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) showed that sales in April showed a disappointing 19.8 percent decrease to 25,799 units versus 32,173 units the previous month.
It was, however, better by a mere 0.8 percent compared to sales in April 2018 of 25,583 units. This prompted CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez to say, “Sales last month remain erratic on a monthly basis, but we expect that positive growth trend on a yearly basis will continue to improve in the coming months.”
Of April’s total sales, the passenger car segment dipped by 16.85 percent compared to March’s sales of 9,214 units and even decreased further to 22.7 percent when compared to April 2018’s sales of 9,910.
The commercial vehicle segment was more disappointing with sales declining by 21 percent to 18,138 units only versus the previous month’s 22,959 units. But year on year, the April sales showed a dramatic 15.7 percent turnaround versus 15,673 units sold in April 2018.
The Asian Utility Vehicle category took a beating as sales dropped 20.9 percent to 2,178 units in April versus March this year’s 2,753 units. Sales was also 36.7 percent lower when compared to April 2018 sales of 3,439 units.
Sales of sports utility vehicles or light commercial vehicles posted a 20.4 percent decline to 14,954 units versus the previous month but it posted positive 35.4 percent when compared to April 2018 sales of 11,045 units.
Light trucks dipped by 31.8 percent in April compared to the previous month and 8.1 percent lower compared to April 2018. Likewise, sales of trucks and buses were in the negative territory. Category 4 was down 27 percent in April versus the previous month and 12.6 percent negative versus same month last year.
Category 5 was down 16.4 percent in April versus March and 46.8 percent lower compared to April 2018.