The growth of motor vehicle sales slowed down to 13.6 percent in the first half due to the changing behavior of buyers amid the unabated increase in fuel prices, assemblers said.

The sales growth in the same period last year was at 17.4 percent, contributing to a full-year increase of 18.3 percent on the back of strong consumer demand and low interest on car loans.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report that their members? combined sales reached 61,654 units as of end-June, compared with 44,257 in the same period in 2007.

Data from the two groups show that turnover of commercial vehicles in the first six months grew 15.1 percent so far while that of passenger cars grew 10.9 percent.

CAMPI president Elizabeth Lee said the growth as of end-June was relatively strong and stable although sales in June dropped 1.2 percent to 10,772 units.

?This is a slight decline compared to double-digit sales decline seen in other countries,? Lee said.

?While the continued increase in gas prices had an effect, other factors including the effects of Typhoon ?Frank? weighed in as well,? she added. ?The typhoon shortened selling days and disrupted business operations of most provincial dealerships.?

Lee added that with the rise in fuel costs, consumer behavior has shifted to recognize the importance of fuel efficiency of the vehicles they buy.

?Buyers are changing the way they use vehicles with utility?dual purpose vehicles for personal and business use?as well as conservation as a shift in mind-set,? Lee said.

However, ?forecast for the whole year remains positive.?

The commercial vehicles segment, which includes the subcategories of Asian utility vehicles (AUVs), light commercial vehicles, light trucks and trucks and buses, continues to account for bulk of sales at 66 percent of the total.

Three subcategories showed improvements as sales of AUVs went up 9.9 percent to 16,463 units; light commercial vehicles?consisting of pickups, vans, compact sports utility vehicles?rose 20.6 percent to 22,788; and trucks and buses, 9.0 percent to 485.

In the six-month period, sales of light trucks declined by 7.8 percent to 915 units while turnover of passenger cars increased to 21,003 units from 18,944.

The increase in AUV sales in June alone was attributed mainly to the fleet deliveries that some manufacturers made last month.

Also in June, sales of light commercial vehicles declined by 8.8 percent compared to May numbers, with compact wagons and full-size sports utility vehicles exhibiting the decline.

Lee said that a slowdown in business activities and the high fuel prices contributed to the low sales performance of light trucks while buyers deferred purchases of trucks and buses in June.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. remained at the lead with 36 percent of the overall market, selling 22,209 units in the first half.

Second was Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 13.6 percent of the market, with sales of 8,365 units.

Third was Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 12.5 percent of the market, with sales of 7,679 units.