Auto sales up 3.4% in Sept

MANILA, Philippines - The automotive industry reported a 3.4-percent increase in sales in September despite the numerous challenges the industry had to face this year.

According to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) overall vehicles sales stood at 93,385 units during the first nine months of this year.

The industry continues to remain cautiously optimistic and is still looking at hitting the target of at least a flat growth for this challenging year, CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said.

However, the recent devastation of tropical storm Ondoy has caused manufacturers to focus on repairing water damaged vehicles.

“Currently, the industry is busy coping with the massive volume of vehicles being brought into the dealerships for repair with some having to resort to increasing manpower to keep up with the load and to hasten the repair of customers’ vehicles,” Lee said.

“CAMPI members have so far extended assistance in the form of lower prices/discounts for parts/ labor/ service for affected vehicles as well as extending work hours just to accommodate the deluge of vehicles being received,” Lee added.

Likewise, Lee revealed that CAMPI is working with the government on other possible means to help minimize the ‘cost’ to vehicle owners – where cost includes the length of time they have to wait for replacement parts. 

“We are cognizant of the devastation Ondoy has wrought on our customers and we are here to extend and assist as much as we can, to the best of our ability, within our means,” she said.

Meanwhile, CAMPI reported that both passenger car (PC) and commercial vehicle (CV ) sales recovered and grew by 6.9 percent when compared with August sales.

CVs continue to dominate cornering 64.5 percent of nationwide sales supported by light commercial vehicles (LCV) sales which include the popular pick up trucks, vans, and compact wagons.

CV sales continue to dominate overall nationwide sales backed largely buy LCV sales. Refleeting and some government purchases also helped improved sales.