Automotive sales down 3% in H1

Automotive sales went down by three percent to 46,236 units in the first six months of the year from 47,624 units in the same period last year, a joint report from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed yesterday.

The passenger car segment managed to grow by two percent with sales of 17,980 units for the first half of the year from 17,664 units a year ago.

According to CAMPI and TMA, the slight growth in passenger car sales was sustained by the introduction of new models, promotions and other marketing activities by the local assemblers.

The weak performance in the commercial vehicle segment was a factor in dragging down overall performance with sales dropping by six percent to 28,256 units from 29,960 units a year ago.

Industry sources, however, said they are optimistic that commercial vehicle sales would remain stable for the following months with sustained promotions and marketing activities offered by most assemblers.

Sales of Asian utility vehicles were also down, recording a 15 percent decline with only 11,727 units sold for the six-month period in review as compared to the 13,720 units sold for the comparable period last year.

Sales of light commercial vehicles posted a three percent increase with 15,504 units from January to June this year as compared to the 15,074 units sold for the first half of 2005.

Sales of light trucks recorded a drop of 22 percent with only 722 units for the period in review as compared to the 921 units sold for the same six- month period last year.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained on top with sales reaching 17,738 units for the first half and accounting for 38.36 percent of the automotive market.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. was a distant second with sales of 6,437 units.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. was at  No. 3 with sales of 5,884 units.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. maintained its position at No. 4 with sales of 3,956 units, while Ford Motor Company with its subsidiary Mazda is at No. 5 position with sales of 3,238 units.

However, Ford also reported export sales of 5,183 units.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. is at No. 6 with sales of 2,732 units followed by Nissan Motor Philippines Inc.  with sales of 1,394 units.