MANILA, Philippines - The local automotive industry is looking forward to stronger growth this year as vehicle sales jumped 33.8% for the first month of 2010.

Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) showed that a total of 11,763 vehicles were sold in January, up from the 8,791 units sold in the same month last year.

CAMPI president Elizabeth Lee said the industry's strong sales would be sustained throughout the year on the back of higher remittances, increased appetite for investment and business expansion, and election spending.

"It is a good start for stronger sales for 2010. We are looking forward to a much stronger growth for this year," she said in a statement released Tuesday.

Commercial vehicle sales, which accounted for 67% of total vehicle sales, rose 46% to 7,907 units in January from 5,416 units in the same month last year.

Sales of passenger cars, on the other hand, went up by 14.3% to 3,856 units from the year-ago level of 3,375 units.

Asian utility vehicles sales, meanwhile, jumped 53.5% to 2,606 units from 1,698 units sold in January last year.

Across brands, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. continued to dominate the local auto industry with 3,871 units sold or 33% of the market. This was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with sales of 2,411 and 1,319 units, respectively.