Car sales went up 9.5 percent in September from the same period in 2016 as automotive and truck manufacturers kept their optimism in reaching their yearend goal.
According to a joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), member-companies sold 34,445 units in September, higher than the year-ago figure of 31,451 units.
However, this was a 2.4-percent decline from sales in August this year of 35,309 units.
“Despite the decline in September sales, the outlook for the succeeding months remains strong, driven by the good sales performance of key models,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez.
For the first nine months of the year, the industry sold 302,869 units, a 15.9-percent jump from 261,370 units in the same period in 2016.
The latest growth figures come amid plans to increase the excise tax slapped on automobiles, a move which would consequently raise car prices. Some car company officials have expected this anticipation would be a factor that could help boost sales this year.
The industry is targeting sales of 450,000 units for 2017.
Commercial vehicles, which accounted for nearly 70 percent of sales in September, sold 23,929 units, a 23.7 percent increase from 19,341 units a year ago. In the first nine months, the segment sold 201,214 units, up 22.4 percent from the previous year’s 164,334 units.
Only 10,516 passenger cars were sold in September, a 13.2-percent decrease from the 12,110 units sold in the same month last year. Moreover, year-to-date sales under this segment grew by only 4.8 percent to 101,655 units from 97,036 units.
Toyota remained the market leader with a share of 43.82 percent of total sales in the first nine months, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 17.65 percent. Ford Motor Co. Phils. Inc. was third with 8.58 percent percent. Honda Cars Philippines Inc., which previously placed fifth, has overtaken Isuzu Philippines Corp. as of September. Their respective market shares are 6.87 percent and 6.8 percent. —ROY STEPHEN C. CANIVEL