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AUTOMOTIVE sales in the country defied high fuel prices
and posted a 14.3-percent growth in the first five
months of the year.
Elizabeth Lee, president of the Chamber of Automotive
Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.(Campi), reported
that vehicles sold jumped to a total of 50,882 units in
that period compared with 44,520 units last year.
Commercial vehicles or vans, AUVs, SUVs, pickups, buses
and trucks remain the most sold with a share of 63
percent or 33,709 units, and 17 percent better than last
year.
Passenger-cars sales rose 9.3 percent to 17,173 units
from 15,707 units in 2007.
“Overall
industry growth can be attributed to the following
factors—steady vehicle prices despite increases in
global raw materials, logistics and oil, among others
thus far; continued OFW remittances, auto players remain
upbeat with promotional offers available for buyers with
a larger product line offering and more choices for the
consumer,” said Lee.
The
strong sales in the CV segment, said Lee, reflects the
buying public’s preference for multipurpose vehicles
that offer more value for money, serving as they do as
personal and business vehicles.
Lee said
they expect continued growth in the coming month despite
the slight sales decline in May from April volume. “It
remains a relatively positive sign given that the
decline relative to the percentage increase in oil
prices, among others, is not pronounced. Automakers
remain positive on continued growth in the near term for
overall vehicle sales.” |
