Auto sales down 2.2% in January-February

Automobile sales in the first two months this year remained sluggish, but local manufacturers are optimistic that the situation is bound to improve if government stops the sale of imported second-hand vehicles.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) reported yesterday that total industry sales reached 11,425 units in January-February this year, down 2.2 percent from 11,686 units in the same period last year.

Month-on-month, however, industry sales showed a growth of 7.4 percent to 5,917 units in February, compared to January sales of 5,508 units.

CAMPI secretary-general Mario de Grano said the continued slump "is still due to the sluggish economy," added that "the sales of commercial vehicles were still affected by the continued auction of second-hand vehicles."

Reflecting the industry’s strong marketing campaign to lure potential buyers, sales of passenger cars showed a notable growth of 11.8 percent to 3,681 units in the first two months of the year from 3,292 units a year ago.

For February alone, sales were nearly five percent higher at 1,758 units from 1,679 units in February 2001.

Sales of commercial vehicles declined by 7.7 percent to 7,744 units in the first two months of the year, from 8,394 units in the same period a year ago.

Month-on-month, however, sales of commercial vehicles rose by a double-digit rate of 16 percent to 4,159 units in February from 3,585 units in January.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained on top followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. Izuzu Philippines Corp. was third overall.