Imported car sales declined 18% year-on-year in August as passenger car sales plummeted amid renewed lockdown restrictions in Metro Manila.
In a report on Friday, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) said that vehicle sales of its 21 members carrying 26 global brands in August fell to 3,919 units from 4,753 in the same month last year.
August sales also fell 19% month on month from the 4,862 units sold in July.
“The entire industry hit a pot hole in August due to the necessary health restrictions. Despite this, we at AVID choose to be optimistic as we approach the final stretch of the year,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.
Metro Manila was again placed under the strictest form of lockdown for two weeks in August amid a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Despite the slump, sales in the first eight months increased 33% to 39,011 units compared to 29,363 in the same period a year earlier.
Among vehicle categories, passenger car sales in August slumped 44% to 1,052 units, with Suzuki Philippines, Inc. leading sales. The category’s sales in the first eight months inched up 4% to 10,164.
Light commercial vehicle sales slipped 1% to 2,829 units, with a bulk of sales going to Ford Group Philippines, Inc. Year to date sales jumped 44% to 27,956.
Commercial vehicle sales dropped 3% as Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. sold 36 in August. Year to date sales surged 362% to 39,011.
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) in August sold 15,847 units, or 11.5% lower than from 17,906 units sold the same month a year ago. — Jenina P. Ibañez
