Philippine automobile sales jump by 2.2% in December 2018

MANILA: According to the latest report by CAMPI (Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.) and TMA (Truck Manufacturers Association), Philippine’s automobile sales has seen a growth of 2.2 per cent in the month-on-month performance. The data released by the authorities show that a total of 31,945 units were sold in December, an increase from 31,258 units in November.

However, the vehicle sales in December 2018 dropped by 29.8 per cent from 45,494 units sold in 2017. Compared to the previous year, the total sales of the year 2018 has gone down by 16 per cent, to end at 357, 514 units. The noticeable changes in the data were driven mainly by the higher excise taxes on cars imposed in 2018. However, the CAMPI and TMA have said that the month-on-month performance is recovering gradually.

Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, the President of CAMPI, said, ”The auto industry has been recovering since the second half of 2018. We are confident that the continued month-on-month positive sales growth rate during that period will be sustained in 2019.” Reportedly, 29.12 per cent of the vehicle sales were covered by the passenger car sales, totalling 9,301 units, which is higher by 1.13 per cent from the previous data. And the rest of the market is filled with commercial vehicles, which also saw an increment of 2.6 per cent, ending at 22,664 units.

The premium segment of the market was mostly covered with Mercedes-Benz (ANG) with a sales record of 65 units and BMW (SMC-ACDC) secured the second place with a total sale of 54 units. Lexus (LMI), with 48 units, and Jaguar-Land Rover (CMC) followed the former two by securing third and fourth place respectively. The sales figure has been positive for almost all the brands. The top three brands that sell more than 100 units per month are Isuzu (IPC), Toyota (TMP) and Ford (FGP) and they have seen significant market rise too.

The CAMPI and TMA also released the data of the country’s year-to-date sales, which confirms that Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation has continued to be on the top position in the market with 42.81 per cent lead. The Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation has followed with 18.89 per cent in the second position, and Nissan, Ford and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. have improved their market position as well.