Sales of importers of vehicles rose 3 percent in February from January but still down 10 percent cumulatively for the two-month period this year versus a year ago.
Data from the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID) showed February sales rose to 5,401 units from 5,262 in January, bringing total sales the past two months to 10,663 units from 11,890 units in the same period last year before the pandemic struck.
AVID data showed sales of passenger cars (PC) sales went up 12 percent to 1,518 units n February versus the 1,350 units sold in January. Year-to-date, sales were down 19 percent from 3,540 units sold in 2020 to 2,868 units.
Suzuki was the top performer with 1,334 units followed by Hyundai with 1,095 units sold since the start of the year.
Sales of light commercial vehicles dipped 9 percent to 7,522 units in January to February from 8,264 units sold in the same period last year. In February alone, sales slightly dipped by 2 percent with 3,728 units sold versus the 3,794 units sold in January.
Ford continuef to lead this segment with 3,228 units sold followed by Suzuki, 1,735 units and Hyundai 1,322 units.
In the commercial vehicles segment, Hyundai reported a whopping 217 percent growth, year-to-date, with 273 units sold in 2021 versus the 86 units sold in 2020.
In February alone, sales rose by 31 percent with 155 units sold versus the 118 units sold the previous month. – Irma Isip
