Good news for the car industry as it seems that we are getting the upperhand in this financial crisis game. After the dreaded decline of the car industry, we are now getting back on our feet and seeing increase in car sales as seen last May 2009.

Car sales went up to 4.6 percent last month at 10,450 units sold, compared to April’s figures. Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) President Elizabeth H. Lee said the overall sales from January to May declined 3.7 percent, but automotive players remain optimistic as May’s figures indicate consumer confidence in the market.

Passenger Vehicles (PV) posted 8.1 percent sales increase at 3,770 units sold. Commercial Vehicles (CV), meanwhile, displayed growth of only 2.8 percent. Lee said increase in PV sales was due to the entry of new models and the market beginning to embrace compact cars. CVs’ weak performance, on the other hand, was due mainly to unavailability of units to serve some fleet accounts for the month.

Total vehicles sold by the industry from January to May is at 40,002 units, lower than sales of 50,883 units during the same period last year. Total PV sold is 17,562 units, making for 2.3 percent sales increase, while total CV sold fell 6.7 percent to 31,440 units.

Players remain optimistic, preferring to wait for the results of the year’s first-half before making adjustment decisions and forecast. Their efforts to attract buyers amid bleak economic conditions such as promotions and easy payment schemes give CAMPI reason to expect stable sales growth in the coming months.

CV sales continue to dominate total nationwide sales, covering 64.2 percent of the market, while PC sales comprise the remaining 35.8 percent. Filipinos continue to patronize multipurpose vehicles, with the AUV, Vans, and pickup truck dominating total sales for the segment.

“The local auto industry is still doing relatively well considering the drastic decline in sales in the more developed markets such as the USA, where sales are down 36 percent from last year,” says Lee. “OFW remittances continue to be a strong factor in consumer spending as it serves as a barometer for consumer confidence. Sustained vehicle sales is supported by the fact that vehicles are increasingly being considered a necessity rather than luxury. Furthermore, auto players are offering programs that make it easier for buyers to purchase the vehicles they need. All these factors combined help us sustain a positive momentum.”

More car news and updates at carfinder Philippines.

Philippine Auto Sales Up 14.8% in 4 Months

The auto industry recorded a 14.8-percent sales increase during the first four months of this year due to a continued strong demand for commercial vehicles.

“The Philippine auto industry thus far, is bucking the general trend seen in other countries such as the US, where rising fuel prices coupled with a softening economy resulted in a downward trend in commercial vehicle sales,” Elizabeth H. Lee, president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) said.

From January to April, auto sales reached 39,981 units of which 11,078 units were sold in April alone.

Commercial vehicles continue to dominate the local market covering 66 percent of total vehicle sales nationwide.

During the four-month period, sales of commercial vehicles went up by 16.2 percent due to a sustained growth in demand for pickup trucks, vans and compact SUVs.

Sales of light commercial vehicles went up to 14,996 during the four-month period.

“Such increase is attributed to the shift in consumers’ preference to diesel-fed models brought about by the increase in fuel price. We expect sales to continue rising in the coming months,” Lee said.

On the other hand, sales of passenger cars went down by 1.4 percent to only 3,691 units.

Despite the downturn in passenger car sales, Lee said industry outlook remains positive as auto players continue to support sales with dealer incentives promos.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remains the number one seller, capturing 35.4 percent of total market.

Far second was Mitsubishi Motors Philippines with a 13.4-percent share followed closely by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 13.2 percent.

The industry projects continued strong growth in this segment with value-for-money conscious buyers given current, temporary economic conditions

“We forecast sales to continue to be strong in the coming months. Strong sales of pickup trucks, vans, and c-wagon vehicles sustain the momentum of this segment,” Lee said.

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, Philippine Star Source

Philippine Vehicle Car Sales Jump 14.3% in Jan-Feb 2008

The auto industry continued to post strong sales figures this year as it chalked up double-digit growth in the first two months.

A joint report by the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) showed that their combined January and February sales went up 14.3 percent compared with the same period a year ago.

“Continued growth is still expected in the coming months amidst political noise tempered by relatively stable economic numbers coupled with the strength of the peso,” Elizabeth H. Lee, CAMPI president, said in a statement.

For the month of February alone, the industry sold a total of 9,472 motor vehicle units, with commercial vehicles still dominating sales.

Commercial vehicle sales made up 68 percent of sales while passenger cars accounted for the remaining 32 percent.

CAMPI and TMA pointed out that the popularity of using vehicles in business is catching on with sales of pickups, vans and Asian utility vehicles (AUV) growing at a faster pace.

Lee noted, however, that passenger car sales increased 19 percent in February and is expected to get bigger in the coming months.

She attributed the robust growth to promotional activities of dealers and rapid sales of new models introduced last year.

In February, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. still occupied the biggest share of total auto sales with a 39.54-percent market share. In far second was Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with a 13.04-percent share while Mitsubishi Motors Philippines placed third with 12.98 percent.

Meanwhile, commercial vehicle sales for February increased by 12 percent to fuel another good start for the largest category in the market.

Lee said new models introduced last year boosted sales for February with total sales of 6,349 units or an 8.6 percent growth compared to January.

“We forecast sales to continue to be strong in the coming months. Strong sales of pickup trucks, vans and c-wagon vehicles sustain the momentum of this segment,” she noted.

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio

Automotive Car Sales Surged 17% in January 2008

he local automotive industry sold a total of 8,808 units in January, up 17 percent year-on-year from 7,520 units.

“It is a good showing for the industry to jump-start the year with a strong growth. We forecast sales to continue to be strong in the coming months,” said Elizabeth Lee, president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., in a report.

Official data from Campi showed that passenger car sales grew 28.5 percent last month on year those of while commercial vehicles climbed 12 percent.

Commercial vehicles, however, continue to dominate sales with a market share of almost 70 percent.

Lee said January sales against the December level fell due to seasonality. December sales usually has the highest monthly registered figure because of increased holiday spending.

She said sales in the passenger car segment were expected to remain robust in the coming months. Lee said the strong interest in new car models introduced last year translated into higher sales last month.

Car sales in January hit 2,964 units, up 28 percent from 2,307 units in January last year.

Commercial vehicles dominated sales with a double-digit growth of 12 percent, a good start for the largest category in the market. A total of 5,844 units were sold in this category against 5,213 units in the same period last year.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. continued to dominate the market with a total of 3,001 units sold, translating into a market share of 34 percent.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. followed at the second spot with 1,476 units sold and a corresponding market share of 16.76 percent.

At third was Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 1,144 units and a market share of 12.99 percent.

Korean car maker Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. sold 776 units for a market share of 8.81 percent.

Ford Motor Co. Philippines Inc. rounded up the list of five top car makers in terms of sales with 600 units sold in January and a market share of 6.81 percent.

Sales of Asian utility vehicles declined by 35.8 percent mainly due to seasonality.

Isuzu Car Sales Up By 20% in 2007

In 2007, Isuzu Philippines Corp. continued to be a strong force to be reckoned with in the commercial vehicles (CV) segment, as it improved its sales tally in 2007 by 20 percent from the previous year, according to official sales figures released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines. In particular, Isuzu’s light- to heavy-duty trucks continued to lord it over the field, making Isuzu the clear choice for Filipino companies when it comes to business and industrial vehicles.

According to the combined 2007 CAMPI-TMA sales report, Isuzu’s light-duty trucks dominated Category 3, selling a total of 1,101 units for a 58.7-percent share of the market. This marks the 10th consecutive year that the Isuzu N-Series has topped its class. In Category 4, the Isuzu F-Series medium-duty truck sold 229 units, accounting for an overwhelming 78.4 percent of the market. In Category 5 (18 tons and up), Isuzu’s heavy-duty truck was likewise dominant as it cornered 60 percent of its market.

Meanwhile, Isuzu’s passenger commercial vehicles also enjoyed a fruitful year in 2007. The Crosswind AUV—buoyed by the market’s unwavering confidence in its reputation as a reliable workhorse and comfortable family vehicle that offers good value for money—sold 5,386 units last year, a substantial 14-percent increase from its 4,718-unit tally in 2006. The D-Max pickup—thanks to the introduction of the Global D-Max that features the new 4JJI common-rail diesel engine—enjoyed a very good year as it sold 2,143 units, a remarkable 59-percent increase from its 2006 total of 1,346 units.

Due to this solid sales performance, Isuzu’s overall sales in 2007 amounted to 9,770 units, or 13 percent of the total CV market. This represents an impressive 20-percent increase compared to Isuzu’s total sales of 8,144 units in 2006. The phenomenal sales increase is the highest in the company’s 10-year history in the country, and is in fact, even higher than the total sales growth of the whole local auto industry last year.

IPC president Keiji Takeda attributes this sales success to “Isuzu’s strong brand image and proven status as a leader in diesel-engine technology.” He adds that although IPC has a specialized product lineup—commercial vehicles only—Isuzu still managed to increase and capture a sizeable market share, thanks to the company’s reputation as a maker of durable, reliable, fuel-efficient and environment-friendly vehicles. “The year 2007 was indeed very special for us as we also commemorated our 10th inaugural anniversary and achieved our 100,000th vehicle unit in both production and sales.”

For 2008, Isuzu has set its sight on continuously strengthening its existing CV product line. One thing going for IPC is its firm grasp of the needs and wants of discriminating Filipino motorists. The company continues to invest in extensive market research just to determine the vehicle features that prove to be truly valuable and indispensable to Filipino consumers.

“Our valued customers can be rest assured that we will continue our efforts to develop and supply leading-edge products from a global standpoint,” declares IPC president Takeda. “We will utilize our strengths as a top-class automaker so we may continue to contribute to the well-being of the environment and the economy.”

I am a 22 year old college graduate of computer engineering. Graduated in one of the best engineering school in the country. With friends in the mechanical engineering field in the Philippines, yet, I don;t know how to drive.

Ok, before I start to kill you from laughing I know that it sucks. But I don’t think there is a good reason why I should own a car. For one, I like commuting, I get to see hot chicks on the MRT, talk to them and if fortunate enough, get their numbers. And best of all, its exercise. Ok, nagbibiro lang ako kase wala talaga pambili ng kotse.

Kidding aside, the Philippines, especially Manila, is very crowded, I never imagine myself driving a car and just burning the fuel while waiting for the traffic to move. I know it sounds stupid but I hope you get the point. It would be much more costly if I buy a car.

I’ll get a car loan, be in debt, pay for maintenance. pay for gas and all. I know not all of you are like that as you can easily get your mom or dad’s blessing and they will buy you a new one. The point is, not every Filipino can afford a car.

Now that the bad side has been laid out, lets look on the good site of having a car.

First of all, convenience how. How cool is it to go anywhere, anytime with your car. Places that a bus can’t go, the MRT can go, or pedicab can go. And most importantly, if you have a decent car, most people will go “WOW CHEDENG” or be amazed at how your car is well groomed. Sounds familiar?

Second, pogi points. Yep… This is the best chick magnet for all the kiddos out there. Why do you think girls like those with wheels?

On to the business side of things

Did you know that the car sales in the Philippines since 2006 has increased by 18%. That’s already a whopping percentage. And a lot of cars!

As you can see. The Philippines have it second to the most sales when it comes to cars. The top sales would be appliances and then the car sales second.

Can you imagine? A lot of cars sold in the Philippines and a lot of cars on the streets! That would make it even more practical to NOT purchase a car. :P.

But the fact is, I will let you all decide. Whether you need it for work or you can cover the gas and maintenance expenses go for it. In the long run, what is more convenient for you would be the best way to go. Either to own a car in the Philippines or not.

You just bought your new car, from the toughest Philippines car sales in town, now what’s next? You want to make sure that your brand new car running on the Philippine roads is safe all the time. What do you want to do? Of course, get a car insurance.

Before you learn how to save on car insurance you must understand what the auto insurance and why you need it.

Car insurance is an important and a vital factor involved in order to keep your car running at the road. Having car insurance is the law if you own a vehicle. Driving without car insurance is illegal in most parts of the world.

Insurance Coverage

Most people understand that car insurance is the protection a driver has in case of an accident, but did you know it is actually divided into five different sub-categories of coverage. Your auto insurance generally provides property, liability and medical coverage.Property coverage pays for damage or theft of your car.Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.By tailoring your coverage to what you actually need and then shopping about cautiously, you can get the cheapest car insurance rate possible. That’s why you should explore insurance coverage before you buy your car. Auto or car insurance is also affected by your age and your maturity. Insurance companies and brokers provide free online rate quotes
that allow you to easily compare costs and coverage.

Saving on car insurance. Top Tips

Whatever your budget, car insurance is something you don’t want to waste extra pennies on. Cheap car insurance is not exactly easy to find, and you may have to build your reputation over a few years. Insurance companies usually offer some kind of discount to those drivers who have a claim-free record, so it becomes financially prudent to drive carefully and avoid accidents.Insurance rates are reduced for vehicles with extra safety equipment, such as stability control and side air bags. Insurance companies typically raise rates after only a single accident, assuming that other accidents will follow. Insurance rates for expensive luxury cars are considerably higher than for economy compacts. One of the easiest paths to cheap car insurance is to increase your deductible — the amount you’re willing to pay out-of-pocket when you make a claim.Another way to ensure the cheapest car insurance is to get all your insurance products from the same company. The best method to save when buying car insurance is to take an
online quote. It is free, fast – takes less than 5 minutes and it can save you hundreds of dollars.

Stay tuned for more Philippine car tips!

How to Buy a New Car

This would be a series in helping fellow Filipino car lovers in buying their first car. I know the for a fact that when we try to do things for the first time, we might screw up. Screw that mentality, we’ll help you get the best deal for you with simple guidelines in buying cars in the Philippines.

This will be a series of guide for all so always stay tuned.

Buying Your New Car

Think about what car model and options you want and how much you’re willing to spend. Do some research. You’ll be less likely to feel pressured into making a hasty or expensive decision at the showroom and more likely to get a better deal.

Consider these suggestions:

• Check publications at a library or bookstore, or on the Internet, that discuss new car features and prices. These may provide information on the dealer’s costs for specific models and options.
• Shop around to get the best possible price by comparing models and prices in ads and at dealer showrooms. You also may want to contact car-buying services and broker-buying services to make comparisons.
• Plan to negotiate on price. Dealers may be willing to bargain on their profit margin, often between 10 and 20 percent. Usually, this is the difference between the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and the invoice price.
• Because the price is a factor in the dealer’s calculations regardless of whether you pay cash or finance your car — and also affects your monthly payments — negotiating the price can save you money.
• Consider ordering your new car if you don’t see what you want on the dealer’s lot. This may involve a delay, but cars on the lot may have options you don’t want — and that can raise the price. However, dealers often want to sell their current inventory quickly, so you may be able to negotiate a good deal if an in-stock car meets your needs.

Now that you know these suggestions, please take the time to reflect about it and we’ll post some more guides that will help you in buying cars in the Philippines.

Selling cars in the Philippines is one of the toughest situation that you can be in. Why? Because people doesn’t want to spend money due to economic crisis, people want to get only the BEST deals and get their money’s worth when buying a car in the Philippines.

In this article, you’ll get to prepare your car to make it look and fit like the perfect buy for your buyer. Hopefully 0% buyer’s remorse on their part.

Selling a Car Tips

Do you need to sell your car? How do you intend to sell your car – confidentially, with a public sale, to a Dealer, or a TradeIn? What is the value of your car? How do maximize your earnings from the car?

General Guidelines

Decide the timing of your sale – do not attempt and sell following Christmas or past a number plate modification. It is best to sell the car when it has a comparatively low mileage (below 42,000 for 3years Used Car). For older cars, it is important that the vehicle is in good condition at the time of sale, and has a clear history. You will need to present all applicable papers, so retain them in a file. Log book, MOT certificate, handbook and any receipts for repairs and spare parts.

Trading your car in

This is a fast and moderately simple way to sell your used car. It is useful to keep your car in glowing condition first – wash, clean and check.Often it appears like the dealer is giving you a good price for your car, except that they may be paying for it by increasing the price of the car you are buying. Get quotations for a new car from multiple dealers, some with the tradein and some without the tradein. Compare the quotes to see what you are really being offered for your car.

Selling to a Dealer

This is a quick way to sell your car. However, the price you obtain will not be as good as advertising privately.

Selling by Auction

This is a quick way to sell your car. You must place a reserve price or otherwise your car could potentially be sold for as small $50. The auction house will get 10% of the earnings from the sale.

Selling Privately

This is the best method to get a good price for your car, however it is not hassle free. You want to choose where to sell, how much to sell the car for, and how to reach an agreement with prospective buyers.

Advertising

• Make and model of the car
• Age of the Car
• Mileage
• Condition
• Colors
• Any Addons
• Number of Previous owners
• Service history Length of tax/ MOT
• Photo – taken in light of day with neutral surroundings
• Price
• Area you live

Preparing to sell

• Clean the car inside and out – this can increase the value by hundreds of dollars!
• Swab the car with good car shampoo, wash and dry with a chamois.
• Shine the car – fine Tcut.
• Find an expert cleaner if you do not have the time or inclination necessary to clean the car well.
• Clean the instrument panel, windows and upholstery.
• Vacuum carpets and replace older, ragged mats.
• Do some maintenance – restore bulbs, retouch scratches, restore damaged windscreen wipers.
• Top up the oil, coolant, screenwash and brake fluid. It may also be useful to change the oil if the car has not been recently serviced.
• Restore wheel trims. If the car has alloy wheels, make sure they are spotless.
• Some expert trimmings could be distorted, for example racing steering wheels, gear knobs or alloy pedal covers.
• The entire above highlight that the car has been wellcared for, which is what buyers like to see.

Dealing with potential buyers

1.You will have to be ready for timewasters, and people that do not revert to you.

2.You also need to be alert that your car may be a target for thieves, and get needed safety measures.

3.People will need to test-drive the car – do not let them go alone, plus if you are a woman it may be safer to take a friend.

4.On the trial drive, permit them to take their own route.

5.Be ready to negotiate a price. It may be better to take a little less, than to risk not selling at all.

6.Be patient – it is common for buyers to acquire expert advice before making an offer, but it shows that they are truly involved.

7.If possible, get a deposit and put a time limit till when the deposit would be refunded (in case the buyer backs out from the offer).

8.Get the details of the buyer – name, address and landline telephone number. It may be safer to inquire for an ID to verify this.

9.Cash payment / banker’s cheque is safest and simplest. However, if you are given a personal cheque, wait for the cheque to clear before handing over the keys and title to the buyer.

10.Fill out and complete the essential rules and regulations to update the DMV that you no longer own the car and are not responsible for any damages.

Also, watch out for Philippines car sales occasions, exhibitions so you can sell your car more. Expose your car to a lot of audience. Good luck!