Auto sales edge up in July by 0.6%

MOTOR vehicle sales were marginally higher in July after slowing a month earlier, automakers reported on Thursday.

A total of 39,331 units left showrooms last month, up 0.6 percent from the 39,088 sold in June, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and the Truck Manufacturers Association said.

Compared to a year earlier, sales were 6.1 percent higher in July.

Year to date, sales rose to 265,610 units, 10.9 percent more than the 239,501 in the comparable 2023 period.

“New product launches, improved product offerings, good sales momentum, as well as supply availability helped neutralize the impact of Typhoon Carina, especially towards the latter part of July,” Campi President Rommel Gutierrez said in a statement.

Commercial vehicles continued to drive sales at 28,408 units, but were 0.2 percent less than June’s 28,408. This brought the seven-month tally to 194,812 units, 8.7 percent higher than the 179,144 posted a year earlier.

Passenger cars, meanwhile, registered sales of 10,923 last month, up 2.78 percent from 10,628 in June. The year-to-date count rose to 70,798 units, a 17.3-percent gain from 60,357 previously.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. continued to dominate the industry with 18,380 units sold in July, up 1.6 percent from 18,093 a month earlier. From January to July, sales grew to 122,730 units, 11.4 percent higher year on year and equivalent to a 46.2-percent share of the market.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. remained second with July sales of 8,000 units or a 7.3-percent rise from June. The automaker has now sold 50,599 units year to date, 15.4 percent higher compared to 12 months earlier and enough for a 19.05-percent market share.

Ford Motor Co. Philippines Inc. ranked third with 2,357 units sold during the month, 6.2 percent up month on month. Seven-month sales totaled 16,817 units, 1.2 percent more than a year earlier for a 6.33-percent market share.

Rounding out the top five were Nissan Philippines Inc. (15,819 units year to date, 0.9 percent more year on year and 5.96 percent of the market) and Suzuki Philippines Inc. (11,490 units, up 13.0 percent for a 4.33-percent market share).