Auto sales jump 32.5% in 1st 2 months

The automotive industry posted a growth of 32.5 percent in the first two months this year even as sales of passenger cars remained slow.

Figures supplied by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) show that the industry sold a total of 15,137 passenger cars and commercial vehicles from January to February this year compared to 11,425 units sold in the same period last year.

Commercial vehicles sales fuelled most of the growth, with two-month sales recorded 11,541 units this year, 3,797 units or 49 percent higher than the 7,744 units sold in the first two months of 2002.

On the other hand, passenger car sales as of February declined by 2.3 percent with total sales for the two-month period reaching only 3,596 units, 85 units less than the 3,681 units sold January-February last year.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. maintained its overall No. 1 position with total sales of 4,402 units.

Honda Cars Philippines Corp. is still playing catch-up with total sales of 3,050 for the No. 2 position.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. was at No. 3 with total sales of 2,435 units.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. settled for No. 4 with total sales as of 2,405 units.

Nissan Motors Philippines Inc. sales, combined with that of Universal Motors Corp., amounted to 1,104 units, garnering the No. 4 spot.

American car company, Ford Motors Philippines, Inc. is still the cellar dweller with total sales as of end February of 813 units.