Auto industry sustains growth

The positive trend continues in the CNMI’s auto industry, with the Commonwealth Auto Dealers Association reporting an 11.68-percent growth in October’s sales compared to the same period last year.

Last month’s total sales of 153 surpassed October 2003’s 137 total. The CADA also reported that local dealers sold 1,371 vehicles in the first 10 months of the year, which reflected a significant 36.01-percent increase compared to the 1,008 total for the same period last year.

The auto industry performed strongly despite a slight decrease in total sales for October when compared to September 2004’s 171 vehicles sold. The September sales, when compared to that of the same period last year, posted a growth of 29.55 percent from last year’s 132 total.

Toyota remains the No. 1-selling brand on the islands, with sales from January to October reaching 647, making Microl Corp. maintain its leadership in the local industry. Besides selling one Chevrolet van during the year, Microl sold 70 Toyota units in October—including 50 cars and 11 sports utility vehicles.

Joeten Motors’ dealership of Nissan, Honda, Kia and Ford made it the second industry leader, with the year’s sales until October reaching 413. Nissan is the CNMI’s second top-seller, with its pickup trucks and SUVs selling 69 and 31 units, respectively, during the year. Nissan sold 187 units so far during the year, including 24 in October.

Honda cars sold 78 units for the year, including nine in October, while Kia’s year-to-date sales reached 76 after selling 10 units last month. Joeten sold 39 Ford pickup trucks during the year, making the brand’s sales total 72, including four that were sold last month.

Triple J Motors tails behind Joeten in terms of market share, selling 310 vehicles during the year. What keeps Triple J competitive is its dealership of Mazda and Mitsubishi brands, which ranked as the third and fourth top-selling brands in the CNMI.

CADA statistics showed that Mazda sold 138 units during the year, including 18 in October. Triple J sold 79 Mazda cars, 34 pickup trucks, 20 vans and five SUVs.

Mitsubishi’s sales tallied 109, including 55 cars and 54 SUVs. Twelve Mistubishi units were sold last month, Hyundai’s total sales of 54 considered four vehicles sold last month.