By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Motor vehicle sales posted an encouraging 7.5 percent in crease in September bringing total sales in the first three quarters 2.38 percent higher than the same period last year.
A joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed there were 31,820 units in September or 7.5 percent higher 29,599 units sold in the previous month of August.
The September figure was also 2.3 percent higher than the 31,116 units sold in the same period last year.
The increase in the September sales brought the total sales from January to September sales or the first three quarters to 267,364 units from 261,161 units in the same period 218.
With the continuing demand for commercial and passenger vehicle sales propping up the industry, CAMPI remains bullish that the automotive sector will post continuous positive growth until the end of the year.
“CAMPI has expected this recovery coming into the last quarter of the year,” said CAMPI president Atty. Rommel Gutierrez.
“September is traditionally the start of an upward trend in sales as the public begin to spend for the upcoming holiday season,” he said.
“Indeed, we welcome this positive growth as this is a good indicator of the increasing and widening demand for vehicles that has been the trademark of our industry. We are optimistic that the industry is well-positioned and prepared to progressively get back on track towards strong positive growth in the coming months.”
Among the 24 members of CAMPI-TMA, Toyota Motor Corp. led with year to date sales of 114,117 units or 4.3 percent higher than same period last year,
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. followed with 46,007 unit sold or 9.1 percent lower than the 50,588 units sold in the first three quarters last year.
Nissan Philippines Inc. maintained its ranking in the third slot with total sales of 32,980 units or 34.6 percent more than the 24,507 units in the same period last year.