The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. said Monday its members sold 30,153 vehicles in the first half, up 55 percent from 19,509 units in the same period in 2020.
“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,” said AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.
Passenger car sales increased 26 percent in the six-month period to 7,707 units from 61,28 units a year ago, while those of the light commercial vehicle segment posted a growth of 64 percent to 21,684 units from 13,244 units. Commercial vehicle sales surged 456 percent to 762 from 137 units.
Agudo said the commercial vehicles segment continued to be AVID’s pillar of growth with Hyundai steadily driving segment sales through the national Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. It maintained the top spot in the bus segment and placed fourth in the truck segment.
AVID said sales in June also grew by 33 percent to 4,936 units from 3,698 units in June 2020.
Month-on-month sales improved 1 percent from 4,871 units delivered in May. Passenger car sales went up 19 percent to 1,350 from 1,131 units, while sales of light commercial vehicles dropped by 4 percent to 3,556 from 3,719 units. Commercial vehicles sold went up by 43 percent to 30 from 21 units.
“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,” Agudo said.
