Imported car dealers are optimistic of selling more units in the coming months after registering sales growth in June amid the health crisis.
The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) on Monday said it sold 4,936 units in June, which is 33 percent more than the 3,698 units sold a year ago.
“It has been an uphill struggle for the automotive industry, more so among importers, but the recent numbers are encouraging. As our nation progresses towards achieving herd immunity, the automotive industry has proven resilient and poised to emerge stronger than ever,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said in a statement.
Light commercial vehicles (LCV) accounted for the bulk of sales in June at 3,566 units. This figure is 44 percent higher than last year’s 2,462 units.
Passenger car (PC) sales improved by 13 percent to 1,350 units from last year’s 1,200 units.
Sales for the commercial vehicle (CV) segment, meanwhile, dipped by 17 percent to 30 units from 36 units a year ago.
In January to June, sales of imported vehicles surged by 55 percent to 30,153 units from 19,509 units in the same period last year, thanks to robust growth in all segments.
PC sales were up 26 percent to 7,707 as of end-June from 6,128 last year. Suzuki Philippines Inc. sold the most in this segment for the period at 3,949 units, followed by Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. with 2,567 units sold. The LCV segment saw its sales rise by 64 percent to 21,684 units in the first half from 13,244 a year ago. Ford Group Philippines led this segment with 9,096 units sold, followed by Suzuki and Hyundai with sales of 6,038 units and 2,837 units, respectively.
CV dealers, meanwhile, sold 762 units in the first half from just 137 units last year. Hyundai dominated this segment given its participation in the national Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
“With better prospects ahead, we will continue to give our best to ensure the complete recovery of the industry. This much, we owe the Filipino people,” Perez-Agudo said.