Car sales see minimal gain in June

Vehicle sales in the Philippines increased by only two percent in June, as the automotive industry continues to face slow growth momentum amid weakening demand for passenger cars and global uncertainties.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that sales in the first half of the year reached 230,912 units, up from 226,279 units in the same period last year.

At a growth rate of two percent, this was a turnaround from May’s 1.6 percent growth, which was the slowest increase in sales since March 2024.

It is, however, lower than the 2.5 percent growth in April, which had declined from a six percent growth in the prior month.

For June alone, vehicle sales grew by 1.8 percent to 40,483 units from 39,775 units in the prior month.

The weakening demand for passenger cars was apparent last month, as the segment fell 12.32 percent from 7,895 units to 6,922.

Based on the six-month data, passenger cars recorded sales of 45,647 units by the end of June, a 23.8 percent drop from 59,875 units last year.

CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez stated that ongoing market shifts are contributing to the current downward trend in passenger car sales.