Philippine-based car importers reported relatively brisk sales last month, boosted by a surge of buying in passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
Total sales crossed 2,675 units in February from 2,338 a year earlier, according to the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID).
Passenger car sales were up 26 percent to 1,311 units from 1,043 units in the same comparable period, AVID said in a statement released Wednesday.
Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) noted a 41 percent increase in sales as buyers went for the Korean carmaker’s Eon ad Grand i10.
“Sparked by unified drive of providing quality brand innovations, we at AVID remain committed to deliver value-rich experiences through premium customer service and pioneering world-class products,” AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.
Association-wide sales in light commercial vehicles were up 5 percent to 1,364 units from 1,295.
Demand was notably strong also for Chevrolet, Subaru and MINI cars, AVID noted.
Sales in the two months to February grew by 18 percent higher to 5,866 units from 4,963 a year earlier.
Passenger car sales totaled 2,990 units, or 23 percent higher from 2,424 .
Total sales in light commercial vehicles rose 13 percent to 2,876 units from 2,539.
Sales for the whole of 2013 reached 31,399 units last year, up 11 percent from 28,400 in 2012.
AVID is an 11-member association of car importers that include AutoChina Inc. (Geely), British United Automobiles Inc. (MINI), CATS Motors Inc.(Mercedes Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge), The Covenant Car Company Inc. (Chevrolet), Focus Ventures Inc. (King Long, FAW), HARI, Jaguar Phil. Inc., Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. (Subaru), PGA Cars Inc. (Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley), Scandinavian Motors Corp. (Volvo, and United Asia Automotive Group Inc.)
Thanks to GMA News for the report.
