Growth in vehicle sales revved up to 22% in Feb.

The growth in local vehicle sales remained revved up at 22 percent year-on-year in February, even as large volumes clogging roads of Metro Manila continue to test the patience of motorists and commuters.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said in their latest joint update they sold a total of 25,150 units last month, compared to 20,633 in February 2015.

Campi and TMA also said last month’s sales were about 6 percent higher month-on-month, comparing with 23,808 units sold last January.

Yearly growth in February was slower—though still in the 20s—than the 28 percent recorded in January.

“So far, it has been a good start for the auto industry,” Campi president Rommel Gutierrez said in a statement.

“Demand for mobility continues and industry players are ready to respond to the needs and demands of consumers,” Gutierrez added.

Together, Campi and TMA are aiming at combined sales of 350,000 units in 2016, penciling in a “conservative” 10-percent growth over 2015.

“Our 2016 target looks achievable given the current trend,” Gutierrez said, adding that January-February sales accounted for about 16 percent of the goal.

Sales volume for the first two months of this year was pegged at 48,958 units, up 24 percent from 39,325 units in the same period last year.

In February alone, sales of passenger cars leaped 20 percent year-on-year to 9,819 units.

Overall, the commercial vehicles segment rose 22 percent with 15,331 units, driven by the rollout of new models, both all-new and updates.

Best performing among commercial vehicles were heavy duty trucks and buses, selling 296 units to surge 91 percent.

Light trucks also revved up by 35 percent units while Asian utility vehicles grew 30 percent and sports utility vehicles 25 percent.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the market leader with a 40-percent share of sales while Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. accounted for 20 percent and Ford Motor Co. Philippines accounted for 10 percent.