AUTOMOBILE sales picked up in June even as a passenger car slump worsened, industry data showed on Monday.
In a joint report, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi) and the Truck Manufacturers Association said that 40,483 units left showrooms last month, up 3.6 percent compared to a year earlier and 1.8 percent higher from May.
The month-on-month growth, however, was markedly slower than the 18.4 percent seen in May, but rebounded from that month’s 1.2-percent annual decline.
Year to date sales remained positive at 230,912 units, up 2.0 percent on an annual basis and slightly higher than the 1.7 percent recorded in May.
Commercial vehicles continued to drive the industry with June sales of 33,561 units, up 5.3 percent and 17.9 percent, respectively, from May and a year ago.
This brought first-half results to 185,265 units, 11.3 percent higher year on year.
Passenger car sales, on the other hand, plunged by 12.32 percent on a monthly basis to 6,922 units and were down an even bigger 34.9 percent compared to June last year.
These compared to the 21.5-percent month-on-month surge and 28.0-percent year-on-year drop seen in May.
Sales since the start of the year totaled 45,647 units, down by 23.8 percent and worsening from -21.4 percent a month ago.
“[O]ngoing market shifts and evolving buyer preferences present opportunities for innovation and recovery in this segment,” Campi said in a statement.
“As the industry heads into the second half of the year, manufacturers and dealers remain focused on enhancing customer experience, introducing updated vehicle lineups, and supporting market recovery across all segments — including passenger cars,” it added.
Electric vehicle sales turned negative in June with just 3,057 units sold, down 15.4 percent from May when sales surged by 139.4 percent.
Hybrid electric vehicles accounted for the bulk at 2,355 units, 15.7 percent lower compared to May. Plug-in hybrid sales ballooned by 110 percent, but totaled just 42 units, while battery electric vehicles slid 17.6 percent to 660 units.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the dominant market player with a 48.19 percent share on year-to-date sales of 111,276, up 6.6 percent on an annual basis.
It was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. that had 19.06 percent of the market on a 3.3-percent rise in sales to 44,021 units.
Nissan Philippines, Inc. ranked third at 11,859 units for a 5.14-percent market share, but sales were down nearly 15 percent year on year.
Rounding out the top 5 were Ford Motor Co. Phils. Inc. (4.47 percent of the market, 10,953 units sold, but down 24.3 percent) and Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (4.45 percent, 10,732 units, up 11.2 percent).
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