VEHICLE SALES within the Philippines could exceed pre-pandemic ranges this yr because the financial system continues to get better, the Chamber of Automotive Producers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) stated.
CAMPI President Rommel R. Gutierrez stated the business is concentrating on to develop gross sales by 10% to fifteen% this yr.
“We have now seen the trajectory of gross sales rising final yr. Actually, January (gross sales) is a very good indicator of what’s to come back this yr. I feel we’re sure to hit the pre-pandemic degree this yr,” he informed reporters throughout a media occasion in Taguig Metropolis late on Monday.
In 2022, CAMPI and Truck Producers Affiliation (TMA) members offered a complete of 352,596 items, surpassing its gross sales goal of 336,000 items. That is additionally close to the pre-pandemic degree of 369,941 items offered in 2019.
“CAMPI-TMA was (over) 369,000 items (in 2019). We’re already at 350,000 final yr. It’s actually a small hole and we’re confident that we are going to greater than hit the 2019 degree this yr,” Mr. Gutierrez stated.
“We’re optimistic that the expansion will proceed this yr.”
Car gross sales had been off to a very good begin this yr, as CAMPI-TMA members offered 29,499 items in January. That is 42% increased than the 20,765 items offered in the identical month final yr.
Mr. Gutierrez expects auto gross sales to proceed rising this yr on account of pent-up demand.
“Sure, there may be nonetheless pent-up demand. The provision continues to enhance and actually, we now have many fashions coming this yr. So, that can actually enhance the gross sales. All manufacturers are actually getting ready for this yr’s full restoration,” he stated.
Nonetheless, the business is going through provide challenges arising from the scarcity of microchips utilized in automobiles, Mr. Gutierrez stated.
“For some fashions sure, (there are provide points). Particularly these Japan sourced fashions are actually nonetheless affected by the scarcity of microchips,” Mr. Gutierrez stated.
In January, the auto business’s gross sales had been pushed by robust demand for business automobiles and passenger automobiles.
Business car gross sales jumped by 46.8% to 21,993 in January, as gross sales of sunshine business automobiles went up by 40.9% to 16,757 items. Gross sales of Asian utility automobiles surged by 87.1% to 4,587 items.
Passenger automotive gross sales elevated by 29.8% to 7,506 items in January. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave