Philippines vehicle output drops in 7 months, trails ASEAN peers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines continued to lag behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in motor vehicle production, as it was the only country among six that posted a decline in output in the seven months of the year.

Data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Automotive Federation (AAF) showed 48,166 motor vehicles were assembled in the Philippines from January to July, down 3.8 percent from the 50,046 units in the same period last year.

All other ASEAN countries tracked by AAF saw their motor vehicle production accelerate in the period, with Myanmar posting the fastest growth at 188.9 percent.

This was followed by Malaysia (51.6 percent), Indonesia (32.7 percent), Vietnam (32.5 percent), and Thailand (8.9 percent).

A total of 2.398 million motor vehicles were assembled in ASEAN as of end-July, 22.4 percent higher than the 1.96 million units in the same period a year ago.

In terms of motor vehicle sales, the Philippines  sold 182,687 units in the  first seven months, up 18.4 percent year on year.

Malaysia had the biggest growth in sales as of end-July at 48.3 percent.

This was followed by Vietnam and Indonesia with an increase of 39.4 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

In contrast, both Singapore and Myanmar posted declines in motor vehicle sales, with the former posting the largest drop at 32.8 percent.

Motor vehicle sales in the ASEAN rose 26.7 percent to 1.91 million units from January to July from 1.507 million units in the same period a year ago.

For motorcycle and scooter production, the Philippines’ output declined one percent to 510,561 units.

Malaysia was the only country that posted an increase in motorcycle and scooter production at 39.9 percent.

In contrast, Thailand registered a 0.1 percent decline in production.

Motorcycles and scooters assembled in the ASEAN were down 5.3 percent to 1.97 million units.

Moreover, the Philippines registered the second largest increase in motorcycle and scooter sales at 8.3 percent to 890,990 units .

Malaysia posted the largest increase in motorcycle and scooter sales at 38.3 percent.

Thailand and Singapore also posted increases in motorcycle and scooter sales at 5.3 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively.

Total motorcycles and scooters sold in ASEAN as of end-July went up by 10.7 percent to 2.31 million units.