Imported car sales up 19% in March – AVID

Car importers on Monday reported a 19 percent jump in sales last March, mainly fueled by demand for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. 

In an e-mailed statement, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) said March sales reached 3,189 units from 2,675 in February.

Passenger car sales accelerated by 20 percent to 1,568 units from the 1,311 in the same comparable period.

Demand for the light commercial vehicles also increased by 19 percent to 1,621 units from 1,364.

AVID noted the demand for vehicles sold by CATS Motors and Volvo was strong.

"With AVID finishing the first quarter race on an upswing, we remain committed to set another banner year in 2014 strengthened by the group’s collective pursuit for sustainable growth and thrust for innovation," association president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

Sales of AVID members totaled 9,055 units in the first quarter, up 13 percent from 7,990 a year earlier.

Passenger car sales were up 13 percent to 4,558 units while total sales in light commercial vehicles rose 13 percent to 4,497 units.

AVID is an 11-member association of car importers that include AutoChina Inc. (Geely), British United Automobiles Inc. (MINI), CATS Motors Inc.(Mercedes Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge), The Covenant Car Company Inc. (Chevrolet), Focus Ventures Inc. (King Long, FAW), HARI (Hyundai), Jaguar Phil. Inc., Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. (Subaru), PGA Cars Inc. (Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley), Scandinavian Motors Corp. (Volvo), and United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (Foton). – Danessa Rivera/VS, GMA News