Vehicle sales dropped by nearly 66 percent in March from the level in the same month a year ago, a joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association showed on Friday.
Sales dropped by 65.7 percent in March this year to 11,029 units from 32,173 units sold in the same month a year ago, data showed.
This brings first quarter sales to 64,542 units, down 24.4 percent from the 85,388 units sold in the comparative period last year.
Campi president Rommel Gutierrez attributed the decline to the shutdown of dealerships in the second half of March when Luzon was placed under an enhanced community quarantine.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was already felt as early as March. We will continue to assess the impact of the quarantine on the industry,” he said.
“The industry remains hopeful the virus would be contained the soonest possible time,” he said.