VEHICLE sales rose 10 percent in January to August to 304,765 units from 276,299 in the same period in 2023, a joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association showed.

The report said sales of commercial vehicles went up 9 percent from 205,764 units a year ago to 224,438 units, a 73.6 percent share of total.

Sales of passenger cars grew faster at 14 percent to 80,327 units from 70,451 units and about 26 percent of total sales.

Light commercial vehicles continue to drive the industry with sales totaling 164,421 units though this is just 3 percent higher than the 159,819 units sold last year.

Other segments are Asian utility vehicles which sold 52,887 units and trucks and buses which sold 7,130 across three categories.

In August, total sales rose 6.7 percent to 39,155 units from 36,699 units in the same month last year.

From July’s 39,331 units, sales last month were flat.

Toyota led all brands in the eight-month period. It sold 140,654 units with a share of 46 percent of total and an 11 percent increase from 126,795 units in 2023.

Mitsubishi followed with sales of 58,513 units. Rounding up the top five brands are Ford, 18,961; Nissan, 18,270 and; Suzuki, 13,206.