AVID bounces back in June with near 200% increase in sales
THE Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) maintained its trek toward a better normal in June 2020, posting 3,697 units in sales, or a 198% increase from the 1,239 units sold in the previous month.
While June has shown significant sales and recovery highlighting pent-up demand during the lockdown, AVID said many factors may continue to dampen industry sales in the coming months.
“While AVID members and their partner dealerships have gone to great lengths to COVID-proof their facilities, strengthen online e-commerce assets, and offer extraordinary promotions and deals to win back customers and encourage buying, headwinds remain. These include lower remittances, weaker demand, and the prospect of a second wave, so we can’t let our guard down,” said AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.
The group, which is made up of 21 member companies representing 26 global brands, used the previous lockdown to develop COVID-ready processes, structures, and organizations. This allowed AVID members to quickly restart in the second half of May and serve customers in urgent need of maintenance, business enterprises, and customers seeking private mobility.
“They say, breakdowns lead to breakthroughs and we are seeing more and more innovations in the industry, highlighted by quick, efficient, and ‘contact-less’ services that allow us to adapt and create a ‘better normal’ for our industry. Ultimately, these changes will be good for our customers, giving them more value for every peso spent,” Ms. Agudo added.
With the closing of dealerships for over two months in the first half of 2020, AVID sales dropped by 54.8%, from the 43,082 units sold in the first half of 2019 to 19,455 units in the same period this year. Despite said drop across major segments, the auto industry is expected to undergo gradual improvement with more relaxed guidelines in the coming months and the reopening of more businesses.
“This is not the industry’s first crisis but it is surely the most challenging. We can’t face it alone, so we are closely working with Government and other stakeholders to help contain this pandemic while gradually reviving the industry in a safe and sustainable manner. Mobility is key to driving the economy forward and a stronger AVID, within and beyond this pandemic, will definitely play a key role,” Ms. Agudo ended.
Team Talino at Puso trucks distributed to Lipa City barangays
The Lipa City government recently distributed Nissan Navara pickup trucks to 40 of its barangays as part of strengthening their respective response teams.
Led by Sen. Ralph Recto, Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa, and Vice Mayor MakMak Luancing, government officials turned over the “Team Talino at Puso” trucks during a ceremony last June 26 with barangay officials.
The Team Talino at Puso Trucks are part of an initiative from the offices of Sen. Recto, Deputy Speaker Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, and the Lipa City Government.
“These challenging times call for smart and compassionate action. These vehicles are part of Team Talino at Puso programs that provide timely support and services for our constituents,” said Sen. Recto.
“These multipurpose, durable, and reliable vehicles empower our barangays to advance crucial services to more Lipeños faster,” said Mayor Africa.
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este comes back on May 2021
THE organisers of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este — the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and BMW Group Classic — have jointly come to the difficult decision to postpone the event planned for October 2020 until 28th — 30th May 2021.
The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is one of the most exclusive motoring gatherings in the world. Apart from the extraordinary machinery on display, the guests themselves are the stars of the show — the great and the good of the collecting world, but equally the home-grown enthusiasts and their families from the surrounding region.
After careful analysis and taking into account the travel restrictions still in place worldwide, the organizers said “it is with a heavy heart that we have decided that current circumstances would not allow us to do the world’s oldest Concorso d’Eleganza justice in 2020.”
The full statement below:
“Whilst we deeply regret having to share this news with you today, we are already in advanced planning for May 2021 with an unrivaled level of anticipation. All of us look forward to welcoming you once more to the shores of Lake Como — together with the dazzling selection of automobiles and motorcycles that had already been confirmed in their relevant classes. All the weekend highlights planned for 2020 will carry over to 2021. Naturally, we will give you plenty of notice concerning the deadline to confirm your registration for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2021.
In particular, we would like to extend our most sincere thanks for the loyalty of our participants and guests who had expressed their wish to join us for a unique autumn edition. We will be delighted to welcome you properly next May under more favorable conditions.
We wish our participants, visitors, and supporters of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este all the very best and hope you stay safe in the meantime.”
