MANILA -- Motor vehicle sales in the Philippines rose only slightly in the three months to March due to a higher sales tax, two industry associations said yesterday.

January to March sales rose to 22,065 units compared to 21,972 units in the same period last year, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers in the Philippines and the Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report.

The report said the increase in the value-added tax by two percentage points to 12 percent in February led to March sales falling 3.7 percent year-on-year to 8,319 units.

Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. led the first quarter sales with 8,846 units or 40 percent of the domestic market, followed by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 2,757 units or 12.5 percent, and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 2,647 units or 12.0 percent.*AFP

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