The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors or AVID reported a significant 41 percent drop in sales last 2020. The 21-member group reported 51,719 units sold last year, compared to the 87,169 units sold in 2019. AVID attributes the decline to the various lockdowns, limited economy activity, and overall weak consumer demand.
Nonetheless, the 26 global brands represented by AVID says they see progress. In December, they finished the year strong with 5,683 units sold—a 15 percent increase versus the previous month. This indicates a slow, but steady recovery coming from the “most challenging period in PH automotive industry.”
“Automotive was among the hard-hit sectors in this pandemic and we continue to feel the impact as sales, after-sales and auto-related services remain lackluster. Despite the hurdles, the industry quickly adapted to the new normal, survived, and are finally seeing some signs of revival. However, we see more headwinds in the coming months,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.
Vehicle importers and consumers will soon feel the impact of the additional P 70,000 tariff for passenger cars (PC) and P 110,000 for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV). This takes effect 15 days from DTI publication.
The PC segment was greatly affected by the pandemic dipping by around 46 percent in 2020 with only 16,588 units sold in 2020. Hyundai reported the greatest number of sales in this segment with a total of 8,464 units sold followed by Suzuki with 6,177 units, and Ford with 1,005 units.
The LCV segment also recorded a substantial decrease in 2020 with 34,826 units sold equivalent to a 38 percent drop compared to the same period last year. Ford continues to be at the top of this segment with 13,770 units sold while Suzuki holds second place with 9,338 units, followed by Hyundai with 7,882 units sold since the start of the year.
In the Commercial Vehicles (CV) segment, AVID recorded a total of 305 units sold for the 2020, or a 66 percent decline in sales compared to the 907 units sold in 2019.
“While the worst may be behind us, we still have a long way to go. If we are to restore consumer confidence and revive this sector, we should focus on creating more job opportunities, upgrade infrastructure and logistics, and improve the ease and cost of doing business. We are all for the long-term development of the auto industry in the new normal,” Ms. Agudo added.
Legend:
- ANG – Auto Nation Group (Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz)
- BBAI – British Bespoke Automobiles, Inc. (Rolls-Royce)
- BUAI – British United Automobiles, Inc. (Lotus, MINI)
- DMI – DBPHILS Motorsports, Inc. (Aston Martin)
- FGPI – Ford Group Philippines, Inc. (Ford)
- HARI – Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (Hyundai)
- JAIPI – JAC Automobile International Philippines (JAC)
- LMI – Legado Motors, Inc. (GAC)
- MIPI – Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc. (Subaru)
- PGA – PGA Cars, Inc. (Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche)
- SGAP – Sojitz G Auto Philippines (Geely)
- SMC – Scandinavian Motors Corporation (Volvo)
- SPI – Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (Suzuki)
- TAC – Triesenburg Auto Corporation (Kinglong)
- TCCCI – The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (Chevrolet)
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