Automotive Industry Sales Increased 37% in September

Motor vehicle sales in September rose 37 percent to 24,523 units from 17,906 units sold in the previous month, causing the industry to rebound through the end of this year, according to a joint report by the Chamber of Manufacturers of Philippine automobiles. Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

“CAMPI remains optimistic that the auto sector will recover through the end of the year amid the new normal environment, as the industry posted double-digit growth of 37 percent in September,” said CAMPI president Atty. Rommel Gutierrez.

Gutiérrez noted that demand for new cars registered double-digit growth in all vehicle categories, except trucks and buses.

Of September sales, commercial vehicles contributed the bulk with 15,967 units, while passenger cars sold 8,556 units.

In terms of category, the largest category was recorded by the light commercial vehicle or the sports utility category with total sales for the month of 12,435 units sold.

“But we are still cautious that consumer spending is below pre-pandemic levels due to the obvious shifts towards essential goods and services,” he said.

Data showed the September figure was negative by 22.9 percent of the 31,820 units sold in the same period last year.

So far this year, the auto industry has sold a total of 148,012 units, a decrease of 44.6 percent.

All categories continued to record double-digit declines ranging from 50 to 26 percent.

All the major players in the market were still in the red. Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. is still down 47.6 percent year-to-date, while Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. suffered a 36.2 percent drop. The third player, Nissan Philippines Inc., saw a 50.9 percent cut in sales, while Ford Motor Co. Philippines Inc. posted a 41.6 percent decline.