Thai Auto Sales Fail to Gain Traction in November

Thai auto sales’ yearlong drive in the slow lane continued in November, with deliveries tumbling 21.8% to 73,068 units for an 11-month total off 34.9% at 792,328.

Industry statistics compiled by Toyota Thailand show car sales fell 27.4% last month to 29,242 units. Commercial vehicles dropped 17.4% to 43,826 units, including the 1-ton pickup segment, off 22.6% at 35,644.

After 11 months, the car segment was down 42.6% at 333,101 units, while the CV segment was off 27.9% at 459,227.

Toyota Executive Vice President Wutthikorn Suriyachantanano says while December traditionally has been the best-selling month of the year, he is not expecting a sharp turnaround.

He says despite the enthusiasm generated by the Thailand International Motor Expo, the political stability under military rule and a clearer public spending plan, external factors have depressed consumer confidence, delaying full recovery in the export and tourism sectors.

The Bangkok Post reports the 12-day auto show that ended earlier in December failed to live up to expectations. Organizers had predicted vehicle bookings would top 50,000 from 1.5 million visitors, but the show generated only 44,972 orders from 1.38 million visitors.

According to The Nation newspaper, Japanese automaker Nissan is confident the Thai economy and automobile market will recover starting early in 2015, thanks to government stimulus programs and increased consumer confidence.

But Nissan Thailand President Hiroyuki Yoshimoto expects consumers will adopt a wait-and-see attitude and the recovery will not become concrete until the second half, as potential buyers still are postponing purchases due to economic and political circumstances.

Toyota maintained its huge sales lead in November despite deliveries slipping 24.9% year-over-year to 28,965 units. Its nearest rival, Isuzu, fell 14.5% to 12,045 units, ahead of Honda, which managed a 0.7% gain to 9,605.

Toyota also led the CV market with deliveries retreating 25.6% to 15,794 units, ahead of Isuzu, down 14.5% to 12,045. Within this, the important 1-ton pickup segment saw Toyota backsliding 25.3% to 14,909 units, ahead of Isuzu, dropping 15.4% to 10,759.

Honda was the biggest loser in the 11 months, ranking third with sales slumping 53.0% to 93,113 units as industry leader Toyota declined 27.3% to 293,954, ahead of Isuzu, off 23.2% at 144,640.

The 11-month car market saw Toyota down 21.3% at 136,118 units, Honda off 52.8% to 84,557 units and Nissan down 60.0% to 27,786 units.

The CV market saw Toyota year-to-date deliveries drop 23.2% to 157,836 units, while Isuzu sales also fell 23.2%, to 144,640. Mitsubishi was down 33.4% at 35,882 units. Within this, the 1-ton pickup market had Toyota slumping 30.6% to 148,496 units and Isuzu slowing 20.4% to 132,592.

Ford Thailand’s sales fell 19.8% to 2,905 units in November, leaving its 11-month total down 26.4% at 34,616. The Ranger pickup accounted for 21,544 deliveries.

Chevrolet sales dropped 33.4% in November to 2,003 units for an 11-month total down 55.3% at 23,702.