PH carmakers report 7% growth in October

THE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines ( CAMPI) posted its highest monthly sales figures for the year in October. Lawyer Rommel Gutierrez, the group’s president, said that year- todate sales have increased 7 percent with 126,663 vehicles delivered, compared to the 118,762 units sold over January to October last year.

Gutierrez said that CAMPI members sold 15,081 vehicles in October, reflecting a 17- percent rise from their tally in September of 12,857 units. In September, the group registered a 6- percent growth with 111,582 units sold year- to- date compared to 105,306 units sold in the same period in 2011. CAMPI also posted a 12- percent hike in October with 15,081 units sold compared to the 13,456- unit total in October last year, according to Gutierrez, who is also a top executive of Toyota Motor Phils. ( TMP).

He attributed the performance of the group to the “normalization of supply and to the aggressive promotions launched by most of the automotive brands.”

“Also, the industry was able to take advantage of the country’s strong economy and the increased purchasing power of Filipinos,” Gutierrez said.

Further, the official said that TMP leads the Philippines’ automotive industry on a year- to- date basis by garnering 42 percent of the market, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Phils. Corp. ( 22 percent) and Honda Cars Phils. Inc. ( 8 percent). Isuzu placed fourth with 7 percent and Ford came in fifth with 5 percent.

In September, CAMPI’s top three were TMP with 41.5 percent, Mitsubishi with 22.3 percent and Honda with 8.3 percent.

Gutierrez said that CAMPI is “very pleased with the outstanding performance of last month’s sales,” saying that the figures were a result of all manufacturers’ aggressiveness with their marketing efforts that were “coupled with an influx of new model introductions the past months.”

“This is a very clear sign that the industry continues to be strong and is on track. I am confident that it will exceed its performance in 2011 despite the slow start at the beginning of this year because of supply shortages,” Gutierrez said. RUBEN D. MANAHAN 4TH