SALES of imported vehicles in the Philippines jumped by 14% in 2021, as the reopening of the economy boosted demand for light and commercial vehicles.
In a report released on Monday, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) said its members sold 58,916 units in 2021, higher the 51,851 units sold in the same period in 2020.
The 14% year-on-year increase was within AVID’s target of up to 20% growth in sales.
AVID said sales of light commercial vehicles, which accounted for 73% of the total, rose by 23% year on year to 42,871 units. Ford Group Philippines, Inc. led the segment with 18,324 units, followed by Suzuki Philippines with 11,314 units and Geely (Sojitz G Auto Philippines) with 6,104 units.
Commercial vehicle sales surged by 212% to 953 units from 305 units sold in 2020.
“Hyundai Trucks and Buses, (Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.) takes the lead with 206% growth, or from 305 units sold in 2020 to 936 units sold in 2021,” AVID said. Passenger car sales dropped by 9% to 15,092 units, which AVID attributed to pandemic-related quarantine measures.
Suzuki Philippines led the segment with 8,079 units sold, followed by Hyundai Asia Resources with 4,639 units and Ford Group Philippines with 1,681 units.
In December alone, total vehicle sales fell by 8% to 5,259 units year on year due to a 28% drop in passenger car sales and a 59% decline in commercial vehicle sales. Light commercial vehicle sales inched up by 1% during the month.
“Despite the year-on-year drop of 28%, the (passenger car) segment’s month-on-month performance gradually improved by 3% with Suzuki at the lead with 8,079 units sold followed by Hyundai with 4,639 units sold,” AVID said.
AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said the group is looking forward to better sales this year, as the economy further reopens.
“With unwavering confidence in the market and in the quality of our product and service offerings, AVID members are determined to build on these gains and look forward to an even better normal in 2022,” Ms. Perez-Agudo said.
“You cannot downplay the importance of mobility in the reopening of the economy, gradual though it may be,” she added.
Metro Manila will be under a looser Alert Level 2 starting Feb. 1, as the number of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases appear to be on a declining trend. — R.M.D.Ochave
