Motorcycle sales fell 46 percent in the first half to 448,733 units from 830,988 units in the same period last year, data from an industry group show.
The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc., however, said sales slowly picked up in July, as manufacturing operations of members resumed in mid-May.
“Like any other industry, our sales were also affected, especially the period from March to June which was the height of ECQ [enhanced community quarantine]. I can say that it was only in July that our members started to sell,” said MDPPA secretary general Vice Layno.
Production stopped in April. The MDPPA said while manufacturing resumed in the middle of May, factories were allowed to open at only 50 percent of capacity.
The group said it was expecting to generate at least half of 2019 sales of 1.7 million units. It said the upcoming holidays would be an opportunity for them to sell more, as people tend to spend during the Christmas season.
MDPPA’s major dealers resumed operations. Most of them are in Batangas, Laguna and Metro Manila.
It said despite the challenging situation, the group did not seek support from the government in terms of amelioration packages, tax breaks and assistance for employees.
The group, however, asked the Department of Trade and Industry to help the industry bring back industry expatriates into the country.
“We need our experts back here. We need their guidance to implement sound recovery measures,” Layno said.
MDPPA is composed of Honda Philippines, Yamaha Motors Philippines Inc., Kawasaki Motors Corp. and Suzuki Philippines Inc.
Layno said MDPPA members were committed to promoting and practicing safety on the road. Members constantly adhere to strict international standards to continuously improve the quality of products.
The group is also working closely with the government to establish policies that will benefit the industry and the public.
