CAMPI, TMA report 19.1% sales rebound in Dec.

MANILA: The Philippines was buffeted by typhoons in November, bringing a swath of damage across multiple regions. The natural disaster also caused a 7.4% slip in month-on-month sales for the auto industry. 

Happily, the sector was able to bounce back in December.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported a consolidated sales total of 27,596 units last  month — growing 19.1% over the previous month’s 23,162. The month’s sum though is still 18.1% below the 33,715 units sold in the same period in 2019.

In a release, CAMPI President Atty. Rommel Gutierrez said he sees the double-digit growth as a “positive development” in the industry’s desire to reach pre-pandemic performance levels.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) continued to lead last December, accounting for 49.7% of sales. It sold 13,455 units compared to 11,455 in November (+19.7%).

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation ranked second (cornering 15.2% of total sales) with 4,195 units sold last month from 3,221 in November, up 30.2%. Third place was held by Nissan Philippines, Inc. with 2,117 units moved (up by 24.3% from November’s 1,703 total), accounting for 7.67% of total sales. Ford Motor Company Philippines, Inc. moved up one place to fourth in December with 1,847 units sold (+30% from 1,421 units in November, cornering 6.69%). Fifth place went to Suzuki Philippines, Inc., which reported a 8.2% decline in sales from 1,665 in November to 1,529 in December. It still cornered 5.54% of total sales.

Said Atty. Gutierrez, “It is noteworthy that the holiday season has contributed to the uptick in demand for auto sales in December amid the improving business and consumer confidence… With CAMPI’s year-to-date sales of 223,793 units, we are optimistic that the total industry of 240,000 units for 2020 will be surpassed.”

Indeed, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) meanwhile reported sales of 51,719 units in 2020 — bringing the consolidated total to 275,512 vehicles.

Photo from Volkswagen

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