Total auto sales zoom 10.2% to 88,000 units in first 11 months

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported that the official tally of automotive sales from January to November this year grew by 10.2 percent to 87,996 units as compared to sales of 79,858 in the same period last year.

Accounting for the overall increase in automotive sales was fleet sales as well as promotions and other marketing gimmicks by assemblers.

CAMPI and TMA said they are optimistic overall sales will increase further this month as companies take advantage of relatively better pricing. Commercial vehicle sales in 11 months this year grew 12 percent, with 55,571 units as compared with 49,707 units sold for the comparable period last year.

The growth in commercial vehicle sales was attributed by the CAMPI and TMA to sustained new model sales from the pickup and compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) segments and sales promotions.

Passenger car sales for the period in review posted a 7.5 percent growth with total sales of 32,425 units as against only 30,151 units 2004.

The increase in passenger car saleswas due to the introduction of new models, continued aggressive marketing and financing promos.

Asian utility vehicle (AUV) sales for the period in review continued to post a healthy growth of 16.2 percent with 24,005 units sold as compared to 20,656 units sold for the same 11-month period last year.

Sales of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from January to November this year reached to 29,505 units, a growth of nine percent compared to the 27,061 units sold last year.

Light truck sales, on the other hand, went down by three percent with only 1,438 units as compared to 1,484 units sold for the comparable period last year.

Truck sales, however, showed a 23 percent growth with 623 units sold for the period in review compared to only 506 units sold in 2004.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. still dominated the market with sales of 31.933 units, cornering 36.30 percent of the market.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. retained second slot with sales of 11,997 units, accounting for 13.6 perdent of the automotive market.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. took third place with sales of 8,852 units for a market share of 10.1 percent, easing out Isuzu which slid to fourth place with sales of 8,653 units and a market share of 9.8 percent.

At fifth place was Ford Motors Philippines with sales of 7,618 units and a market share of 8.7 percent.