Car distributors’ group posts slight gain in first 9 months

MEMBERS of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (Avid) recently announced a slight gain in sales during the first nine months of 2013.

The group said that its year-to-date sales from January to September have reached 22,785 units, a 5-percent increase from the 21,763 vehicles delivered during the same period in 2012.

The result came despite a 9-percent decline of sales of passenger cars as Avid sold 11,765 units compared to the 12,931 moved during the same nine-month duration in 2012. Avid attributed this year’s rise to the 25-percent growth of light commercial vehicles, with the segment selling 11,020 units during the period versus the 8,832 units rolled out last year.

Further, the step-up in sales was driven by last month’s 18-percent surge after the group delivered 2,227 units, compared to September 2012’s 1,887-vehicle tally. Avid’s sales of passenger cars in September totaled 1,230 units, a 39-percent increase from the 882 units during the same month last year.

Avid President Fe Perez-Agudo expressed belief that the country’s strong economy is favorable to the local automotive industry.

“With the upbeat Philippine economy and improving investor sentiments, the dynamic business landscape in the country continues to be favorable to the automotive industry. As investments increase and businesses expand, the renewed consumer confidence and considerable employment opportunities are set to boost demand for automobiles and other high-value items,” Perez-Agudo said.