Sales of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID) corrected in August after two consecutive months of increase.
Sales last month stood at 4,753 units, down 7 percent from 5,100 sold in July.
AVID attributed this to the stricter lockdowns from August 4 to 18 in Metro Manila and outlying provinces which dampened sales.
Sales between January and August were still down 49 percent to 29,360 from 97,202 in the same period in 2019.
AVID, however, expects to sustain its recovery in the ”ber” months.
“There are encouraging indicators of a sustained recovery with the gradual reopening of businesses. A key aspect of the industry’s revival is the restoration of consumer confidence,” said AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.
Passenger car sales rose 6 percent to 1,865 in August versus July with Hyundai the top contributor in this segment followed by Suzuki and Ford.
But year-to-date, sales were down 51 percent to 9,755.
Sales of light commercial vehicles declined 14 percent to 2,851 units led by Ford, Hyundai and Suzuki.
From January to August, sales were down 47 percent to 19,412.
Sales of commercial vehicles nearly doubled to 37 units.
For the eight-month period, sales plunged 70 percent to 193.
