Local car manufacturers saw their sales drop by 12.4 percent in September, as all vehicle segments performed poorly during the period, according to the latest industry data.
The joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) on Monday showed that car sales reached 21,493 units in September, fewer than the 24,523 units sold in the same month last year.
September had been tough for most businesses particularly in the National Capital Region, which was under modified enhanced community quarantine in the first half of the month. The second half of the month saw the government piloting a new alert level system, which allowed cities to implement granular lockdowns.
Data from Campi and TMA showed that sales of passenger cars (PC) fell by 23.1 percent to 6,580 units for the period from last year’s 8,556 units.
Commercial vehicle (CV) sales slipped by 6.6 percent to 14,913 units in September from 15,967 units in the previous year.
Month-on-month, however, total industry sales improved by 35.6 percent to 21,493 units in September from 15,847 units in August.
“Amid the challenges, the industry’s optimism still lingers for a better sales performance in the fourth quarter this year. This is driven by the overall improved consumer confidence resulting from a more buoyant economic condition and household spending, according to the recent government data,” Campi President Rommel Gutierrez said.
Year-to-date, car manufacturers booked a 29.5-percent sales growth after selling 191,605 units.
CVs accounted for the bulk of the sales, which rose by 25.7 percent to 130,623 units in January to September, from last year’s 102,933 units.
The PC segment, meanwhile, saw its sales shoot up by 38.3 percent to 60,982 from last year’s 44,079 units.
Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. maintained its leadership with its 48.18-percent market share. Its year-to-date sales rose by 46.1 percent to 92,318 units from 63,182 units in 2020. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and Ford Motor Company Phils. followed with 26,830 units and 14,704 units sold, respectively.