BY BEN ARNOLD O. DE VERA Reporter

Auto sales in January jumped by a third from a year ago, according to the joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association.

Car sales last month totaled 11,763 units, up 33.8 percent from the 8,791 units sold in January last year.

In a statement, Elizabeth Lee, Campi president, said January sales were higher than last year’s monthly sales average of 11,073 units. Last month’s sales, however, were 13.5 percent lower than December’s 13,596 units.

“A high January sales volume augurs well for the year. It is a good start for stronger sales for 2010,” Lee said.

“We are looking forward to a much stronger growth for 2010 with increased spending as a result of bullish OFW [overseas Filipino workers’] remittances projected as high as 8 percent, or exceeding $18 billion, increased appetite for investment and business expansion, continued liquidity in the market, ease in taking out loans and availability of loans serving buyers needs, not to mention this being an election year as well,” the Campi official said.

The industry aims to sell 137,000 units by yearend.

Lee said the industry is also planning to conduct the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) this year.

A total of 3,856 passenger cars and 7,907 commercial vehicles (CVs) were sold in January.

Year-on-year sales of cars and CVs grew by 14.3 percent and 46 percent, respectively.

Month-on-month sales of cars and CVs, meanwhile, were down 14.1 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the top seller, as it sold 3,871 units, up 20.9 percent year-on-year. Its market share however was down 3.5 percent from the same period last year.

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. held on to the second spot, with January sales of 2,411 units, up 56.5 percent year-on-year. It raised its market share by 3 percent.

Third placer Honda Cars Philippines Inc. sold 1,319 units last month, down 11.9 percent from last year. Its market share also contracted 5.8 percent year-on-year.

Other car companies, such as Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., Isuzu Philippines Corp., Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc., Columbian Autocar Corp., Universal Motors Corp., Suzuki Philippines Inc. and Nissan Motor Philippines Inc., among others, also posted year-on-year sales growth in January.