MOTOR vehicle sales accelerated in May after slowing a bit a month earlier, automakers reported on Tuesday.

A total of 40,271 units left showrooms last month, up 7.9 percent from the 37,314 sold in April, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and the Truck Manufacturers Association said.

The latest figures — also 5.48 percent higher compared to the 38,177 units sold a year earlier — brought January-May sales to 187,191 units, 12.7 percent more than the comparable period's 166,104.

"Improvements in the supply and good consumer demand, coupled with increase in automotive financial scheme and extensive sales activities, helped boost sales on [a] MOM (month-on-month) basis," Campi President Rommel Gutierrez said in a statement.

Commercial vehicles continued to drive sales with 29,304 units in May, 7.6 percent more than April's 27,245. This boosted the five-month tally to 137,944 units, 11 percent higher than the 124,242 posted a year earlier.

Passenger cars, meanwhile, registered sales of 10,967 last month, up 8.92 percent from 10,069 in April. The year-to-date count rose to 49,247 units, a 17.6-percent gain from 41,862 previously.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. continued to dominate the industry with 18,677 units sold in May, up 4.3 percent from 17,913 a month earlier. Five-month sales grew to 86,257 units, 11.7 percent higher year on year and equivalent 46.08-percent share to total sales.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. remained second with May sales of 7,318 units or a 5.1-percent rise from April. The automaker has now sold 35,146 units year to date, 16.4 percent higher compared to 12 months earlier and enough for 18.78 percent of the market.

Ford Motor Co. Philippines Inc. ranked third with 2,553 units sold during the month, 18.4 percent up month on month. From January to May, the automaker sold a total of 12,241 units, 10.2 percent more than a year earlier for a 6.54-percent market share.

Rounding out the top five were Nissan Philippines Inc. (11,559 units year to date, 6.9 percent more year on year and 6.17 percent of the market) and Suzuki Philippines Inc. (7,975 units, up 13.1 percent, 4.26-percent market share).