PHILIPPINE vehicle sales were flat in August, leading to a sluggish eight-month performance despite the recovery of the auto supply chain from the twin-disaster that struck Japan in March.
According to a joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.
(Campi) and the Truck Manufacturers Association, year-to-date sales remained in negative territory for the third straight month, falling 4.1 percent to 93,108 vehicles at end-August from the 97,122 sold in the same period last year.
Sales in August alone inched up to 11,558 from the previous month’s 11,550 for a marginal growth of 0.01 percent.
“Sales of some models were hampered since deliveries are still catching up with the demand,” said Campi.
Sales of commercial vehicles fell 4.6 percent year-on-year to 61,816 units, while the number of passenger cars sold slid 3.2 percent to 31,290 units. Month-on-month, sales of passenger cars grew 6.8 percent to 4,026 units, while those of commercial vehicles fell 9.7 percent to 7,532.
The growth experienced in August was more pronounced in the sales of Asian utility vehicles, light trucks as well as trucks and buses, which jumped by 3.3 percent, 19.1 percent and 58.7 percent, respectively.
“This can be attributed to the continuing supply improvement coupled with relentless marketing efforts,” said Campi.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. sold the most number of vehicles during the first eight months with 34,190 units, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 21,812 units, and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 9,062 units.
Campi has yet to revise its four to five percent growth forecast issued early this year, which did not factor in the adverse impact of the crisis in Japan, the leading source of cars and auto parts for the Philippine market.
