CAMPI reports 27.8% growth in PH auto sales last January 2017

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported a 27.8% year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in sales last January 2017. This achievement marks the highest ever start for the local automotive industry.

A total of 30,425 units were sold during the first month of the year, 6,617 units more compared to 23,808 units from the same period last 2016.

Contributing to the milestone were both Passenger Car (PC) and Commercial Vehicle (CV) segments which experienced a 27.2% and a 28.1% growth this year, respectively. Moreover, the PC segment was able to sell 10,984 units compared to 8,632 units y-o-y while the CV segment sold 4,265 units more as to last January 2016’s 15,176 units.

Although we expected lower sales due to seasonality, reaching the 30,000-unit level in January is a good start for the auto industry. We welcome appropriate measures that will not hamper the growth of the auto industry as it continues to positively contribute to the economy,” explained CAMPI President Atty. Rommel Gutierrez.

For the CV segment, all categories posted positive sales marks. Category 1 (Asian Utility Vehicles) rose by 26.1% with 6,062 units from 4,780 of January 2016; while Category 2 (Light Commercial Vehicles) bolted by 27.5% with 12,340 units from 9,678 of the same period last year. Meanwhile, Category 3 (Light Trucks) sold 630 units, which is 60.7% more compared from the 2016's 392 units.

In addition, Category 4 (Trucks and Buses) recorded the highest sales improvement with a 74.4% growth, tallying 272 vehicles from 156 units of the previous year. Category 5 (Heavy Trucks and Buses), however, marked the least in the segment with 173 units, just 1.8% up from January 2016's 170 sales mark.

On an individual performance, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation still leads with a 47.8% market share. This year's record reflects AutoDeal’s data throughout 2016, where the Wigo hatchback and Vios subcompact sedan ranked on AutoDeal’s Most Inquired Cars and Most Transacted Vehicles. Moreover, the Fortuner SUV and Innova MPV are also on notable spots in the Most Inquired Cars data.

Up next in 2nd place is Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation with a 16.24% share. Helping the brand achieve this feat is the Mirage G4, Mirage hatchback, and Adventure, which placed 5th, 7th, and 9th on AutoDeal’s Most Transacted Vehicles, respectively.

Ford Motor Philippines ranks 3rd with an 8.28% market share. This is evident as 3 of its flagships—the EcoSport (3rd), Everest (6th), and Ranger (9th)—made it on AutoDeal’s Most Transacted Vehicles. Meanwhile, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. gets 4th with a 7.18% market share, thanks to the Japanese brand’s 23,199 sales record claimed to be contributed by the City, BR-V, and Civic.

Not to be outdone is Nissan Philippines Inc. as they garnered a 5.45% share. Leading the way for Nissan is the NV350 Urvan, Navara, Juke, and Almera, all making it on AutoDeal's top 20 Most Inquired Vehicles.