A shorter selling period due to long weekends in April resulted in a seven percent decline in the auto industry sales.
Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) showed that the industry sold only 9,988 units in April, lower than the 10,746 units sold in March.
Year-to-date sales dropped 3.3 percent to 38,552 units. Commercial vehicles like vans, pickup trucks and Asian utility vehicles accounted for 64 percent of the market, while passenger cars made up for the rest of the sales.
CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee attributed the "relatively small" decline in sales to the availability of financing in the local market. She said the local auto industry is better off compared with bigger auto markets like the United States and Japan, which were down 38 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
"Buyers still have access to financing and continue to buy although buyers are becoming more discerning with geater 'price shopping,' feature comparison, and value for money as key considerations for purchase amid the wide variety of vehicles offered in the market," Lee said.
She added that carmakers "remain cautiously optimistic," with the market expected to post flat to four percent growth this year.
"We will have to see how the industry fares in the next two to three months and if there is enough reason to adjust our yearend forecasts," Lee said.
| PHILIPPINE AUTO INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE as of APRIL 2009 | |||||
| Ranking | CAR COMPANY | January to April 2009 | January to April 2008 | Percentage change | Market share |
| 12 | Asian Carmakers Corp. (BMW) | 168 | 209 | -19.60% | 0.50% |
| 8 | Columbian Autocar Corp. | 1,058 | 1,093 | -3.20% | 2.70% |
| 15 | Columbian Motors Corp. | 75 | 110 | -31.80% | 0.30% |
| 17 | Dreamco | 18 | 11 | 63.60% | 0.00% |
| 6 | Ford Motor Company Phils. Inc. (+Mazda) | 2,104 | 2,642 | -20.40% | 6.60% |
| 11 | General Motors Automobiles Phils., Inc | 513 | 859 | -40.30% | 2.20% |
| 3 | Honda Cars Philippines Inc. | 5,876 | 5,269 | 11.50% | 13.20% |
| 4 | Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. | 3,118 | 3,224 | -3.30% | 8.10% |
| 5 | Isuzu Philippines Corp. | 2,551 | 3,434 | -25.70% | 8.60% |
| 18 | MAN Automotive Concessionaires Corp. | 4 | 3 | 33.30% | 0.00% |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. | 6,745 | 5,345 | 26.20% | 13.40% |
| 10 | Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. | 543 | 948 | -42.70% | 2.40% |
| 13 | PGA Cars, Inc. (Porsche/Audi) | 99 | 70 | 41.40% | 0.20% |
| 16 | Pilipinas Hino Inc | 73 | 153 | -53.20% | 0.40% |
| 14 | Scandinavian Motors Corp. (VOLVO) | 81 | 86 | -5.80% | 0.20% |
| 9 | Suzuki Phils., Inc. | 674 | 646 | 4.30% | 1.60% |
| 1 | Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. | 13,301 | 14,160 | -6.10% | 35.50% |
| 7 | Universal Motors Corp. | 1,553 | 1,619 | -4.10% | 4.10% |
| Total sales | 38,554 | 39,881 | -3.30% | 100% | |
| Source: Joint report of CAMPI and the Truck Manufacturers' Association | |||||
