Local Auto Sales Surge 33.8% in January 2010

The local auto industry reported a strong performance in January as sales went up by a strong 33.8 percent to 11,763 units from a year ago level.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) said the growth was backed by a strong dollar inflow from overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and an increase in domestic business activity.

“A high January sales volume augurs well for the year. It is a good start for stronger sales for 2010,” CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said.

“ We are looking forward to a much stronger growth for this year with increased spending as a result of bullish OFW remittances which is projected to grow by eight percent or exceeding $18 billion; increased appetite for investment and business expansion; continued liquidity in the market; ease in taking out loans and availability of loans serving buyers needs; ….not to mention this being an election year as well,” Lee added.

However, month-on-month comparison showed a decline of 13.5 percent as sales for December 2009 stood at 13,596 units. In spite of this, Lee stressed that this will be a good year for the industry. Read more

Subaru Philippines Closes 2009 with 56 Percent Growth

Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, announced it capped off 2009 with sales of 942 units, marking a 56-percent growth—the biggest in the local automotive industry based on figures released by the Chamber of he Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines.

Subaru has been the fastest growing automotive brand in the country as it consistently increased sales every year since it opened in 2006, according to MIP.

In 2008, the company posted a 100-percent growth. Read more

Toyota Philippines Forecasts 8% Sales Growth in 2010

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Corp. is eyeing a modest 8 percent increase in sales this year to 50,000 units from 46,193 units in 2009 on positive economic signs in the automotive market and the launch of new models this year including new hybrid cars to beef up its existing fleet.

Newly-appointed TMP President Michinobu Sugata told reporters during the company’s annual Media Thanksgiving Party on Friday of the encouraging positive signs of the local automotive market this year.

“There are many positive signs in the auto market,” said Sugata. Read more

Isuzu Philippines Maintains Truck Market Leadership in 2009

According to the combined official figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., Isuzu trucks again outsold the competition in 2009, as it had the previous 11 straight years.

Last year, Isuzu’s N-Series light-duty trucks sold a total of 996 units, or 56.8 percent of Category 3 of the commercial vehicle segment. Isuzu’s medium-duty trucks, including the Forward, were just as dominant, selling 232 units for 57.9 percent of Category 4. Read more

Mitsubishi Philippines Banners 2009 with 33% Growth Industry Sales

The Philippine automotive industry defied threats of automotive slump due to global financial crisis as it registered a 6.4% growth in 2009. Total vehicle sales reached 132,444 units in 2009, exceeding the flat growth forecast for 2009 by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) or 125,000 units. In 2008, total vehicles sold were 124,449 units.

CAMPI and TMA credits this growth to the aggressiveness of automotive players in introducing new models and various promotion schemes as well as by banks/financial institutions to accept auto financing from loans especially from entry level buyers such as small to medium scale entrepreneurs and also Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). In addition, the strong typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last October which brought heavy floods in Metro Manila and Luzon areas caused irreparable damaged to most vehicles, have partially contributed to the increase as it accelerated vehicle replacements especially in the last quarter. Read more

RP Posts 6.4% Increase in Auto Sales Amid Regional Slump

Carmakers exceeded their expectations last year, selling 132,444 vehicles or 6.4 percent more than they did in 2008, and on the back of higher demand sustained by remittances and aggressive financing offers.

Elizabeth Lee, president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., said the strong December sales of 13,596 units, the industry’s highest monthly total in a decade, allowed carmakers to exceed their 4-percent growth forecast for 2009.

“Although December sales were expected to be seasonally higher, the stronger spike [that month] was a welcome result,’’ Lee said.

This augurs well for 2010.” Read more

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Tops 600,000 Unit Sales Level

Two years after hitting the half million units sold mark, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) has once again reached another milestone last December 7, 2009 with cumulative sales of 600,000 units since the start of its operations in 1988. TMP is the first car manufacturer in the Philippine automotive industry to bag this achievement.

For 21 years of being in the industry, TMP remained consistently focused on catering to diverse needs of Filipino consumers. It offers an extensive model line-up of fourteen vehicles distributed to 27 dealer outlets nationwide. By maintaining its strong commitment in providing high quality products and excellent services to its customers, TMP has made its way to being the market leader for eighteen years. TMP is also proud to reveal that despite the economic slowdown in 2009, it has garnered year-to-date sales of 46,193 units as of December 2009. Read more

CAMPI: 2009 Car Sales Exceed Industry Forecast

Sales of new cars grew faster last year than the 2008 pace as purchases to replace flood-damaged units in the last few months offset poor performance seen earlier, industry data released on Friday showed.

Eighteen car firms sold a total 132,444 units in 2009, up 6.4% from 2008 levels and exceeding the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) forecast of up to 4% growth or a flattening at worst.

The 2009 growth was also better than the 5.6% increase recorded in 2008, which likewise bucked downtrends seen in other Asian markets. For 2010, the group has pegged its forecast at a “conservative 4% … subject to quarterly review”.

Year-to-date sales for 2009 only began to grow in October after floods from two storms submerged many vehicles in Luzon. In December alone, the number of units sold grew by 37.5% to 13,596 versus the same month last year. Read more

Universal Motors Corporation Doubles Sales of Urvan

Universal Motors Corp., the local assembler and distributor of Nissan commercial vehicles, has sold 6,000 units of Urvan under its “Ur Van, Ur Business” program for entrepreneurs.

UMC vice president Elizabeth H. Lee said the company has doubled its sales since the launch of its program in 2006.

At 6,000 units, the program has assisted 3,400 families and aided in the creation direct jobs to 4,400.

“Since its launch in 2006, Ur Van Ur Business has made a significant contribution to the lives of many people,” said Lee at Friday’s UMC thanksgiving event.

Lee said sales of Urvan had doubled to about 150 units a month from 70 units before the “Ur Van, Ur Business” campaign. Read more

Honda Philippines Expects 20% Sales Growth in 2009

Honda Cars Philippines expects to grow by 20 percent this year after a sales decline in 2008.

In an interview, Honda president and general manager Hiroshi Shimizu said that this year has been a very good year because of the high sales for the fuel efficient Honda City and Jazz. Shimizu noted a strong demand for fuel efficient vehicles.

As of the end of November, Honda has posted a 17 percent growth from last year.

For next year, Shimizu said that they will be growing as fast as the industry at four percent. He said that there will be new models coming in. Read more

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