Auto industry sales continue to ebb and flow with the current pandemic, as customers alternate between pursuing their own means of transportation and reallocating funds for more essential expenses. However, the latest figures coming into the second quarter of the year prove promising for two of the country’s mainstream car brands.
The Territory compact crossover helped improve Ford Philippines' sales ranking for April 2021
Ford Group Philippines, Inc. (FGPI) and Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPI) managed to turn their fortunes around from the first quarter of 2021, posting April 2021 sales of 6,562 and 6,390 units, respectively. These figures rank Ford at third with Suzuki following in fourth place, behind perennial leaders Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC).
These figures come from the country’s three major organizations of automotive retailers: the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), and the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID). Nissan Motor Philippines (NMP) recorded 6,221 units that have rolled off its dealership showrooms, knocking it from its former third place perch but still within the list of top five auto brands in terms of sales.
Suzuki Philippines managed fourth place with almost 6,400 units sold
The last time Ford Philippines enjoyed this lofty status was in January 2018, riding on the wave of its T6-riding Ranger pickup and Everest SUV the previous year. Refreshed versions of both models in 2020, coupled with the introduction of the Territory compact crossover, helped FGPI claw back after reeling from a 36-percent slump brought about by the first phase of the TRAIN Law implemented in 2018.
Sales numbers for January to April 2021 have been generally better, with an increase of 36 percent compared to the same period in 2020. But despite the seeming recovery of the local auto industry, a breakdown of the numbers suggests a bumpy ride yet ahead.
Nissan Philippines fell to fifth place in terms of sales going into the second quarter of 2021
AVID reported a 4 percent dip in sales for March 2021 compared to the previous month, with both CAMPI and TMA posting a 21.1 percent loss. The trend continued through April with AVID reporting 13 percent less sales, and decrease of 13.8 percent for CAMPI and TMA.
Apart from the pandemic, the imposition of the provisional safeguard tariffs on imported vehicles also played a role in diminishing sales, as the resulting price increases had an adverse effect on demand.
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