Vehicle sales jumped 40 percent in August from a year ago, in line with the industry’s target to achieve a revised sales target of 370,000 units this year.
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said members sold 32,472 vehicles in August, up from 23,181 units delivered in the same month last year.
The two groups said the August figure was also up 8.4 percent from July, despite the slower growth in sales of passenger cars and Asian utility vehicles.
Sales of passenger cars increased 7.8 percent year-on-year to 11,136 units in August while orders for commercial vehicles jumped 66 percent to 21,336 units.
Campi said the bulk of growth for the commercial segment came from new Campi members.
“During the 6th Philippine International Motor Show press conference, we announced our revised sales target for the year. With consistent increase in monthly sales,we believe that we can reach 370,000 units sales by end of 2016,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez.
“With impressive August performance and the much-anticipated 6th Philippine International Motor Show this Sept. 14 to 18, the revised target is likely possible,” he said.
Total sales in the first eight months already reached 229,919 units, data showed.
Sales of category 3 vehicles (light trucks) surged 227 percent to 1,527 units in August while orders for category 4 (heavy duty trucks and buses) grew 193 percent to 639 units.
Category 5 (heavy duty trucks and buses) sales increased 189 percent to 309 units.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. accounted for 43.48 percent of total sales in August. It was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 17.58 percent and Ford Motor Company Philippines Inc. with 9.72 percent.
