MANILA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Despite the overall car sales slump in the Philippines in the first quarter, electric vehicles (EVs) stood out as the sector's lone bright spot, amid the global oil crisis, industry data showed on Monday.
Total vehicle sales in the first three months reached 105,642 units, down from 117,074 units in the same period last year, according to figures released Monday by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association.
EV sales surged to 11,800 units in the first quarter, up 36.2 percent from 8,664 units a year earlier. Plug-in hybrid EVs were the top-selling EV segment, skyrocketing 924.6 percent to 1,250 units in the period.
CAMPI President Jose Maria Atienza said EVs are expected to account for a growing share of the market, especially as high fuel prices increase demand for electrified means of transport. ■