Auto sales drop 36 percent in July

Auto sales in July dropped significantly by over 36 percent compared to that of the same period last year, with almost all auto brands—including Toyota—posting lower sales.

Local auto dealers sold only 105 vehicle units last month, 60 units less than the sales posted in July 2004. Last month’s sales performance suffered a 36.36-percent decline, based on statistics released by the Commonwealth Auto Dealers Association.

Only Chevrolet and Hyundai vehicles displayed positive performance in July. Triple J Motors’ Mitsubishi sold four units each for July 2004 and 2005.

Microl Corp. sold 10 Chevrolets, which registered a 900-percent increase compared to July 2004’s sales of one unit. Triple J sold 14 Hyundai units, better than July 2004’s eight, for a 75-percent growth.

Total sales of the popular Ford dropped significantly by 80 percent, with Joeten Motors selling only two pickup trucks last month, lower than July 2004’s 10.

All other car brands under Joeten’s dealership suffered significant decline—Honda, 64.71 percent; Nissan, 54.55 percent; and Kia, 33.33-percent.

Those car brands sold only six, 10 and four units, respectively. In all, Joeten sold 22 units last month, a 60-percent dive compared to July 2004’s sales of 55.

Even leading dealer Microl suffered decline in sales. Although its Chevrolet displayed positive performance, Microl’s top-selling brand, Toyota, sold only 44 units in July—a significant 42.86-percent drop compared to July 2004’s 77.

But Toyota maintained its position as the top-selling brand in July, with its high sales figure reflecting in Microl’s position in the industry. However, the total sales of 54 for Microl equated to a 30.77-percent decline compared to July 2004’s 78.

Hyundai and Mitsubishi’s performance cushioned the decline in Triple J’s sales of 29, a mere 9.38-percent drop compared to the 32 total sales posted during the same period last year.

Mazda sold 11 units last month, dropping sales by 35.29 percent; it sold 17 units in July 2004. Both Suzuki and Subaru sold no unit; Suzuki sold three units in July 2004.

Despite the overall decline in last month’s auto sales, though, total sales from January to July still surpassed sales figures during the same period last year. For that period in 2005, total sales reached 976, 11.16-percent higher than 2004’s 878.