Motor vehicle sales in the first eight months of the year grew 13.1 percent to 83,196 units from 73,563 in the same period last year, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report.

Sales in August fell 14.9 percent to 9,906 units from 11,636 in July, the report said.

The two industry groups attributed the volume decline to August being a seasonal “ghost month” and limited stock availability of some types of vehicles.

Sales should pick up in the remaining months of the year, however, the joint report said.

Despite the sales decline in August, the local vehicle market was still on track to meeting the sales target of 125,500 vehicles for the year.

As in the past months, the commercial vehicle segment led sales in the first eight months, with a market share of 64.8 percent.

From 48,065 units last year, commercial vehicle sales expanded by 12.1 percent to 53,876, driven by the market’s continued preference for multipurpose vehicles.

The segment, however, posted a 21-percent sales decline in August, to 5,804 units from 7,421 units the month before.

Light commercial vehicles accounted for the bulk of commercial vehicle sales from January to August at 29,812 units, followed by Asian utility vehicles at 22,153 units.

The passenger car segment grew by 15 percent in the first eight months, from 25,498 units in 2007 to 29,320 this year, accounting for 35 percent of the vehicle sales pie.

This segment posted a 2.7-percent sales decline in August, to 4,102 units from 4,215 units in July, due to limited stock availability.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. remained the industry leader, with total sales of 30,073 units as of end-August for a 36.1-percent share of the market.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. followed with sales reaching 8,365 units and a market share of 10.1 percent. Honda Cars Philippines Inc. came in next with a market share of 9.2 percent from sales of 7,679 units. Abigail L. Ho