AUV segment posts positive sales in Q1

CEBU, Philippines —  While all categories in the commercial vehicle segment posted sharp declines in the first quarter of 2020, sales of Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) segment posted encouraging performance.

Among the AUVs close to the hearts of Filipinos are the Isuzu Crosswind and Mitsubishi Adventure, while former stars are the Toyota Tamaraw, Ford Fiera, Isuzu Hilander, and Mitsubishi L300.

Asian utility vehicle, posted an impressive 18.8 percent increase in the first quarter this year to 8,780 units from 7,390 units in the same first quarter 2019, according to a joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

First quarter car sales on the other hand, plummeted 24.4 percent largely pulled down by a whopping 63 percent decline in March, the weakest monthly performance in the auto industry, as the country was placed under a state of public health emergency and subsequent lockdown due to COVID-19.

The first quarter sales reached only 64,542 units as against 85,388 units in the first quarter last year.

Passenger car sales declined by 32 percent with sales of 17,786 units from 26,172 units in 2019.

Commercial vehicles likewise followed the same downward path, to 46,756 units from 59,216 units sold in the period last year, down by 21 percent.

Luxury sports utility vehicles also recorded a 25.6 percent decline in sales.

Sales of light trucks or pick-ups declined 45.8 percent, the deepest cut among all categories.

Trucks and buses (Category 4) also fell 41.7 percent to 712 units while large trucks (category 5) was down 20.9 percent to 238 units sold.