Passenger car sales slump 23.1% in 1st 9 months

Passenger car sales plunged by more than 23 percent to 17,908 units in the first nine months of the year from 23,284 units in the same period last year as demand weakened further on economic uncertainty, the Chamber of Automated Manufacturers of the Phils. Inc. (CAMPI) said yesterday.

Sales of commercial vehicles were also weak, declining by 5.8 percent to 38,835 units in January to September this year from 41,220 units a year ago.

Total motor vehicle sales, which include passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, Asian utility vehicles, trucks and buses, reached 56,743 units during the nine-month period compared to last year’s 64,504 units.

Toyota Motor Phils. Corp. (TMCP) remained on top and managed to finally edge out Honda Cars Phils. Inc. in the passenger car category for the month of September.

TMPC was able to get a big boost in its passenger car sales with its new Altis Corolla that was plugged by no less than Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt.

However, HCPI tried to explain its dethronement by claiming that its passenger car sales dropped because it has not been producing its popular city models.