Imported car sales up 16 pct in April

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Imported vehicles sold in the Philippines expanded by 16 percent on year to 2,657 units in April, local distributors said today.

Figures released by the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) showed that sales of light commercial vehicles again boosted distributors' performance last month. Imported light commercial vehicles sold in April rose by 28 percent on year to 1,412 units.

Passenger car sales also posted an increase last month, growing by 5 percent on year to 1,245 units.

Imported vehicles sold in January to April reached 11,712 units, 14 percent higher than the 10,283 units sold in the same period last year.  

AVID said consumers' appetite for new cars in the Philippines will boost sales this year.