The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors posted a remarkable 6 percent growth in the first semester of 2017, pushing total sales to 48,348 units from 45,470 units over the same period in 2016. Quarter-on-quarter sales performance was likewise solid as it closed Q2 2017 with 25,031 units from 23,317 units in Q1 2017. The continued upsurge in AVID sales is only a testament of the burgeoning demand for imported vehicles in the Philippines.

The Passenger Car (PC) segment saw a 13 percent jump to 18,773 units in the first half of 2017 versus 16,644 units a year ago. Holding the lion’s share of the PC segment, Hyundai (HARI) sold 12,039 units or 64 percent of total AVID PC unit sales in the 1st semester in 2017. This is followed by Suzuki (SPI) with 4,270 units sold. In third place is Chevrolet (TCCCI) at 1,038 units. Chevrolet also recorded the highest year-on-year sales growth jumping 85 percent compared to 2016.

Among the mainstream brands, Ford (FGPI) and Subaru (MIPI) were the biggest losers dropping 47 percent and 35 percent respectively.

Demand was likewise upbeat for Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) as it inched up 3 percent from 45,470 units to 48,348 units from January to June 2017. Ford made a stunning comeback, registering 16,209 units sold though in terms of percentage, growth was fairly minimal at 1 percent. In second place is Hyundai with 5,327 units and in third is Suzuki at 4,677 units.

Surprisingly, Chevrolet continued to languish in this category despite launching refreshed versions of the Trailblazer and Colorado. Sales tanked 73 percent year-on-year.