Auto industry sees 9% growth

The local automotive industry is expected to recover this year with a projected 9-percent growth in sales to about 154,000 units, according to the new president of the Chamber Of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi).

Rommel R. Gutierrez, who is also vice president at Toyota Motor Philippines, said the expected recovery this year would be driven largely by “stable supply, new models and more aggressive sales efforts” by automotive companies.

Last year, vehicle sales registered a 4-percent decline to 141,616 units from the previous year’s 147,488 units as the flooding in Thailand continued to cause supply shortages on some units until the end of the year. Also affecting the 2011 sales were the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in March. It drastically affected the operations of automotive companies that had manufacturing hubs in Japan.

Meanwhile, as the newly elected president of the group, Gutierrez vowed that Campi would target to play a more active role this year in providing an environment conducive enough to ensure stable supply and allow firms to generate more sales.

The group is likewise batting for all the automotive manufacturing industry associations to have a unified voice and stronger collaboration with the government in crafting relevant policy and in legislating a more stable and consistent industry rules and regulations.

“Campi hopes to strengthen the advocacy of sustaining local production of vehicles in the Philippines. Members are united in supporting an industry roadmap aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of vehicles and parts and components manufacturing in the country,” Gutierrez said.

“Campi will work hand in hand with the Philippine Automotive Competitiveness Council Inc. (PACCI) in tapping the potential of the automotive industry for growth in domestic production base that can lead to sustainable export operation,” he added.

The other new officers of Campi include Dante Santos of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., who is now the group’s vice president, and Val de Leon of Nissan Motor Philippines Corp., who assumed the post of treasurer.

Jose Alvarez will assume the position of chair of the board.