Hyundai sales accelerate 12% in 9 months

MANILA, Philippines — The takeup of Hyundai light commercial vehicles (LCV) and commercial vehicles (CV) in the Philippines continued to accelerate in the first three quarters, while sales of its passenger cars remained lower year-on-year, the South Korean automaker said.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, said combined sales of LCVs and CVs from January to September grew 12 percent to 11,659 units on the back of lower inflation, increased government spending, and its full line up of quality SUVs, vans, trucks and buses.

The LCV segment alone expanded nine percent from 10,061 units last year to 10,972 units in the same period this year, fueled by strong demand for its subcompact SUV Kona and light truck H-100.

HARI’s aggressive expansion into the CV segment through the establishment of more dedicated dealerships, meanwhile, has resulted positively for the company as CV sales more than doubled from last year with nearly 700 units sold in the first three quarters.

HARI said CV sales are expected to be boosted with the company’s strong participation in the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program through the Hyundai Modern Jeepney.