CAMPI, TMA attribute 7.4% sales decline in Nov. to typhoons

MANILA: After inching up by two percent in October, vehicle sales took a 7.4% tumble in November, according to a joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

The 25,023 total sold last October had been an encouragement as it was the largest consolidated figure mustered by the group thus far since the start of the pandemic. However, this sum slipped to 23,162 last month.

In a release, CAMPI President Atty. Rommel Gutierrez attributed the dip to the “consecutive typhoons that badly hit the regions of Bicol, Central Luzon and NCR, among others in November.” For those regions, the cumulative sales declined by 8.3% last month.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) cornered nearly half (49.46%) of total November sales last month, even as its 11,455 units sold represents a 1.8% decrease from October sales. TMP continues to lead YTD (through November) sales with 86,303 units, while still 40.9% off its 2019 pace.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation ranked second in November and YTD with 3,221 units sold — 12.1% lower than the previous month’s 3,663 units, The company cornered 14.64% of the market. Nissan Philippines, Inc. sales fell by 27.9% last month (from 2,363 to 1,703 units) versus the previous month, and cornered 7.35% of total sales — good for third place.

Completing the top five are Suzuki Philippines, Inc. with 1,665 units sold (down 9% month-on-month from 1,830 units), cornering 7.19% of sales; and Ford Motor Company Philippines, Inc. which sold 1,421 vehicles last month (down 33.7% from 2,143 units) and accounting for 6.14% of total October sales.

Nonetheless, Atty. Gutierrez expressed a positive outlook for the year’s sales. "We remain optimistic in sustaining this level of sales performance for this month, which is critical for the industry to achieve its sales forecast," he said.

Versus last year’s November total of 34,465 units, sales are 32.8% down. YTD, CAMPI and TMA reported a sales total of 196,197 units.

Photo from Volkswagen

Also read: CAMPI, TMA register ‘tepid’ 2% sales growth in Oct.