Car Segment Tops CVs in September Sales in Thailand

New-vehicle sales in Thailand continued their recovery in September, rising 2.9% from year-ago to 63,641 units and raising the year-to-date total further into positive territory, up 0.5% at 556,525.

National sales data collated by Toyota Thailand shows new-car sales rose 13.6% to 25,641 units, while commercial-vehicle deliveries dropped 3.3% to 38,000 units, including the 1-ton segment down 3.2% at 30,671.

After nine months, the car market was down 4.9% at 203,937 units. The CV segment rose 3.9% to 352,588 deliveries, including the 1-ton pickup segment up 6.0% at 282,719.

Toyota Thailand Vice President Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont says the market expects strong growth in the final quarter with automakers making special seasonal offers in the push to reach sales targets for the year.

“The consumer-confidence index has risen for three consecutive months, reflecting the confidence of investors and consumers in the economic and political stability,” Vudhigorn says. “The car market in October is expected to remain stable.”

Also weighing on the market is the long mourning period after the death of the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died at age 88 after 70 years as head of state.

Toyota remained the national pacesetter in September with sales down 1.9% from prior-year at 22,166 units for a 34.8% market share. Isuzu followed, down 2.0% at 10,427 units, ahead of Honda, up 7.3% at 8,821.

The car segment saw Toyota up 9.1% at 9,013 units, ahead of Honda, up 25.2% at 6,720 and Mazda, down 2.4% at 2,458.

Toyota led the month’s CV result despite slipping 8.2% to 13,153 units. Isuzu slid 2.0% with 10,427 deliveries while Ford surged 30.7% to 3,662.

Within the CV segment, Toyota topped the 1-ton pickup market, down 9.8% at 12,292 units, followed by Isuzu, down 5.7% at 8,919 and Ford, up 34.9% at 3,454.

After nine months this year, Toyota was the national sales leader despite a 9.1% slip to 172,568 units. Isuzu was a distant second, up 2.3% at 104,348 units, ahead of Honda, up 2.3% at 81,499.

Toyota clung to the lead in the car market despite falling 21.0% to 60,659 units. Honda closed the gap, rising 7.5% to 59,520 units, with Mazda up 12.1% at 20,418.

The CV market saw Toyota remain on top, falling 1.0% to 111,909 units. Isuzu rose 2.3% to 104,348 units and Mitsubishi jumped 21.7% to 28,410, all of them 1-ton pickups. The CV segment’s 1-ton pickup market was led by Toyota, up 0.1% at 105,634 units, with Isuzu rising 1.6% to 93,986, followed by Mitsubishi.

Ford continued its dominance among non-Japanese manufacturers. Its September sales rose 20.7% to 3,710 units for a 9-month total up 24.2% at 28,903. Chevrolet fell 26.5% to 1,303 units in September and was down 13.9% year-to-date at 10,368.

Meantime, the latest J.D. Power study of new-vehicle owner satisfaction saw Isuzu (822 points) overtake Toyota and Honda with strong performances in sales initiation, dealer facilities, deals, salesperson relationships and the delivery process.

Honda and Toyota tied with 814 points, just ahead of Suzuki’s 813.

The results were based on responses from 2,560 new-vehicle owners who purchased their vehicles from August 2015 through April 2016.