Car sales up 5.8% in January - CAMPI

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers in the Philippines (CAMPI) said the local car industry is off to a good start as its members posted a growth in cumulative sales in January.

CAMPI said the total sales from its 16 member companies stood at 11,046 units last month, 5.8 percent higher than the sales made in January 2010.

"(This) is seen to be a positive year as overall economic environment continues to be relatively favorable with sustained business and consumer confidence, GDP growth, stable foreign exchange, positive forecast for OFW remittances, manageable inflation rate forecast, continued healthy financing environment, as well as new model introductions by auto players this year," CAMPI said in a statement.

CAMPI president Elizabeth Lee said, however, that the health of the automotive industry is not just reflected on sales but on actual production as well.

"To compete the picture, and to compete for the future, we must likewise put our attention on how the industry can truly grow using the inherent advantages that support job creation and significant value-added to temper the growing CBU share."

Of the January sales, 64 percent were commercial vehicles while 36 percent were passenger cars.

Sales in the passenger car segment were dominated by Toyota (1,726 units), Honda (1,099 units) and the Ford and Mazda Group (404 units).

Toyota likewise led the pack in the commercial vehicle segment with 2,481 units sold in January. It was followed by Mitsubishi (2,178 units) and Isuzu (766 units).

Overall, Toyota Motor Corporation is still number one with a total of 4,207 units sold in the Philippine market in January. Behind it is Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, which sold 2,305 units.

Sales of Hyundai Asia Resources, which bolted CAMPI in December 2010, is no longer a part of the list. Hyundai was the third strongest brand in the Philippines from April to December based on CAMPI and the Korean company's records.

For now, without Hyundai, Honda is listed as the third most popular brand with sales reaching 1,220 units in January.

See the rest of the sales in the table below. The CAMPI report does not include sales of Hyundai, The Covenant Car Company (Chevrolet), Scandinavian Motors Corporation (Volvo), Focus Ventures (Chana) and Motor Image Pilipinas (Subaru).

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