The local auto industry posted another record sales in the first semester of the year, notching a 21-percent growth over the same period last year.
According to a joint statement by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association, January-to-June sales reached 131,465 units, a big jump from last year’s 108,957 units.
June sales also set a new record for the local industry at 24,185 units, with all segments contributing to the growth. This was 23 percent higher compared to the same month last year.
Passenger-car (PC) sales rose 30 percent to 52,778 units in the first half of the year, compared to only 40,609 units in the same period in 2014.
Year-to-date, commercial-vehicle (CV) sales recorded a 15-percent growth boost to 78,687 units, from 68,348 units in same period last year.
Under the CV segment, the Heavy- duty Trucks category already exceeded its whole-year sales target of 490 units, having sold 493 units for the first semester.
Lawyer Rommel Gutierrez, Campi president, credited this to stronger demand from fuel haulers and the refleeting of the construction industry.
“Our automotive industry is riding with the other industries’ growth,” Gutierrez said. “Microenterprises and small and medium enterprises are expanding, which made for the robust demand for AUVs and SUVs and light commercial vehicles.”
“We just ended the first semester on a very strong note. Industry is confident that it will reach the 310,000-unit sales it set for this year,” he added.
Toyota Motor Philippines remains as the market leader with 43.9-percent share. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. followed with 19.2-percent market share. Ford Motor Co. Philippines had a market share of 7.9 percent; Isuzu Philippines Corp., 7.7 percent; and Honda Cars Philippines Inc., 6.6 percent.