MANILA, Philippines--Vehicle sales reached 11,763 units in January, a 33.8-percent improvement from the 8,791 units sold in the same month last year.

According to data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association, while January sales represented a 13.5-percent decline from December sales, the number of vehicles sold was still higher than the 2009 monthly average of 11,073 units.

?The high January sales augur well for the year. It is a good start for 2010,? Campi president Elizabeth Lee said in a statement.

?We are looking forward to much stronger growth this year, with increased spending as a result of bullish (overseas Filipino workers?) remittances projection, increased appetite for investment and business expansion,? she said.

Lee said remittances were expected to grow by 8 percent to more than $18 billion.

She said high market liquidity, ease in taking out loans, and the expected increase in spending as a result of the May polls should also benefit the auto sector.

Commercial vehicles continued to be the vehicle of choice of Filipinos, selling 7,907 units in January?a growth of 46 percent from 5,416 units sold a year ago.

Light commercial vehicles?pick-up trucks, vans, compact sport utility vehicles, and full SUVs?dominated the CV category with sales hitting 5,176 units for an overall market share of 44 percent.

Asian utility vehicle sales went up by 53.5 percent to 2,606 units last month, from 1,698 units in the same period last year.

?To a certain extent, strong vehicle sales are reflective of a stronger economic environment. With the robust growth of CV sales, particularly AUV and LCV, most of which are used for both family and business, Filipinos are now showing more aggressiveness in either starting a business or expanding their current businesses,? Lee said.

Passenger car sales likewise increased to 3,856 units in January, 14.3 percent better than the 3,375 units sold the year before.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. maintained its No. 1 position in the industry, with January sales reaching 3,871 units, 20.9 percent better than last year?s 3,203 units. Its market share, however, dropped to 32.9 percent from 36.4 percent in the same month last year.