Vehicle sales up 11.6% to 184,248 units in 2012

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s total vehicle sales, based on sales reports of both the Chamber of  Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) reached 184,248 units last year, rising  11.6 percent from 2011, driven by the growth in both passenger cars (PC) and light commercial vehicles (LCV) segments.

Sales of the CAMPI, excluding those of CATS Motors, reached 155,848 units last year, up 11 percent from 140,176 units in 2011.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) said in a statement yesterday it sold 28,400 units last year, 14 percent higher than in 2011.

The AVID said it saw higher sales last year due to the increase in purchases of PCs and LCVs.

Total  AVID PC sales reached 16,284 units last year, climbing by 18 percent from the same period in 2011.

AVID LCV sales likewise grew by nine percent to 12,116 units for the whole year compared to the 2011 level.

Leading the pack of gainers for said period are British United Automobiles, Inc. (MINI), The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (Chevrolet) and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., which posted 23 percent, 20 percent, and 8 percent growth respectively.

Sales of CATS Motors are taken into account in the report of both the AVID and CAMPI.

The CAMPI said earlier it achieved higher sales last year due to strong demand for PCs and LCVs.

For the month of December alone, AVID sales went up 14 percent to 2,128 units last year compared to the same month in 2011.

AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said amid a positive economic backdrop, the group is optimistic it can see higher sales this year.

“Consumer confidence is heightened on the back of the remarkable expansion in the industry and service sectors, build-up of overseas Filipino remittances, and holiday and election spending. All these point to winning sales outlook in 2013 as each AVID member unveils more aggressive sales and marketing plans for the year,” she said.