CAMPI: Sales of New Commercial Vehicles Grow by 7.7% in 2009

Notorious for their tonnage and insatiable thirst for petrol, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have never been the picture of efficient motoring, but with the Filipinos’ penchant for dual purpose vehicles—particularly after the high floods caused by tropical storm Ondoy last year—it seems that motorists are still giving these gas-guzzlers a second look.

Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) show that sales of commercial vehicles–which include SUVs, Asian utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, vans and compact wagons–continued to surpass sales of passenger vehicles last year.

According to CAMPI, commercial vehicles grew by 7.7% to 86,216 units in 2009. Passenger cars or sedans, on the other hand, sold 46,228 units, rising slower at 4.1% from the previous year. Based on sales figures recorded particularly during the final months of 2009, more motorists may have replaced their damaged cars with taller vehicles, which have a better chance of wading through flood and mud. Read more

Philippines Auto Industry Assemblers Reject New MVDP

Domestic automotive players have rejected the new Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP) questioning some provisions including allowing the entry of used motor vehicle parts and components that it would be better for the government to maintain the old program.

In a letter sent to Malacañang dated March 1, 2010, Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) president Elizabeth H. Lee has sought Malacanang’s intervention as Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila has already endorsed the Executive Order for the new MVDP for President Gloria Arroyo’s signature.

Favila’s endorsement of the new MVDP was among his last efforts as DTI Secretary. Favila’s appointment as member of the Monetary Board, the policy making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, took effect last March 5, 2010. Read more

Philippine Car Sales in February Increases by 39%

Philippine car sales in February bucked seasonal trends as the industry sold 12,573 vehicles, 39 percent higher than what it sold in the same period last year, according to a joint report released Tuesday by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (TMAP).

“We are thankful and are hopeful that the strong sales will continue in the coming months. The bulk of car sales came from commercial vehicles particularly the all utility vehicles (AUVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs),” CAMPI President Elizabeth Lee said in a statement.

“This trend is forecast to remain strong and will continue to support vehicle sales in the coming months,” she added.

Sales of commercial vehicles which include vans and pick-up trucks reached 8,069 units or 37.4 percent higher than what it sold in February 2009.

The passenger car (PC) segment also posted strong sales as dealers sold a total of 4,504 units in February. This is 42.8 percent higher than year-ago sales.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. led car manufacturers in terms of vehicle sales, selling 4,170 units during the period.

So far, the industry was able to sell a total of 24,336 units in January and February. This is 36.6 percent higher than the 17, 818 units sold by the industry in the same period last year.

CAMPI Supports Perks for CKD Importers

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), which groups 19 automotive players in the country, Thursday clarified that while they are supporting a policy bias for CKD (completely knocked down) assemblers this should not be done at the expense of the CBU (completely built-up) importers.

“The auto policy should be biased for assembler and the intention of CAMPI is for the expansion of the assembly operations in the country, but the question is the way by which it will be accomplished and (how) will the objective be attained in such a manner,” said CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee
It could be noted that the Deloitte Consulting, which came up with an assessment on the domestic auto industry, has proposed for a $1,000 subsidy for each CKD unit produced in the country.

Lee said there is no problem with the move to grant subsidy whether fiscal or non-fiscal incentives to CKD assemblers, but it was not clear as to the source of this subsidy. Read more

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

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

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

Mitsubishi Philippines Targets 20% Share of RP Auto Market

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is gunning for 20 percent market share in 2010 from the current 18 percent to cement its position as the country’s strong second biggest automotive player.

MMC executive vice-president Taizo Pat Furuhashi told Business Bulletin that they are eyeing to get 20 percent of the 132,000 auto sales target of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. for 2010.

“Our market share this year is 18 percent so next year we are targeting a market share of 20 percent,” said Furuhashi. This means sales target for MMPC of 26,000 units from about 24,000 units this year. Read more

Auto Sales Jump 3.7% for First 11 Months of 2009

Sales of motor vehicles jumped 3.7 percent for the first 11 months of the year despite a flat performance in November from October.

Sales for January to November reached 118,848 units for the year, inching close to its target of 125,000 units with just a month to go.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) revised its forecast from flat growth to a 2.3-percent growth for the year.

“It certainly looks like the automotive industry will hit, if not exceed its target. This is a positive outcome from the flat growth previously forecast at the beginning of the year,” said Campi president Elizabeth Lee. Read more

Philippines Auto Industry Expects to Sell 127,000 Units in 2009

The automotive industry expect to sell 127,000 units this year or a 2.3-percent growth from last year’s level, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) said yesterday.

“If you remember, at the start of the year, we were hoping for a flat growth as the worst case scenario. So it looks like we’re not only hitting our target, we are going to exceed it,” Elizabeth H. Lee, CAMPI president said in a press conference.

At the same time, CAMPI announced that they see 2010 to be a better year with a four-percent growth on sales. Read more

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