Auto sales down 3.5% in Jan-Sept

MANILA, Philippines - Auto sales declined by 3.5 percent to 105,663 units in the first nine months of the year from 109,517 units a year ago, according to a joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc . (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

However, the monthly sales performance of the automotive industry registered a positive growth with the September sales rising by 8.6 percent from the August performance due to introduction of new models, promotion, arrival of stocks and fleet deliveries.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the biggest seller with 39,421 units for January to September, 37.31 percent of the market. However, Toyota also registered a 4.5-percent decline in sales when compared to the same period last year. Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. was number two with 22.79 percent of the market or 24,081 units. There was a slight increase in the sales of Mitsubishi for the period when compared to last year. Third was Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 9.58 percent of the market or 10,120 units. Sales of Honda declined by 22.6 percent during the review period.

Passenger car sales grew by 4.2 percent with sales of 4,195 units when compared to a month ago due to the arrival of units and improvement in supply of some models.

Sales of commercial vehicles contributed an 11-percent growth with 8,360 units. The highest growth was registered by light commercial vehicles at 26.7 percent.

A combination of factors boosted the monthly sales performance in the various segments such as improvement in supply of some models, fleet deliveries and introduction of new models.