Thai New-Vehicle Sales Take Double-Digit Jump in April

Thailand’s auto-market recovery continued in April with sales up a healthy 15.1% year-on-year to 63,267 units.

The result left deliveries ahead 15.7% after the first four months of the year at 273,757 units.

Car sales rose 23.2% for the month to 25,493 units, while commercial-vehicle deliveries climbed 10.1% to 37,774 units, including the 1-ton pickup segment, up 10.8% at 30,602 units.

Toyota Thailand collates national sales for the industry and Executive Vice President Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, commenting on the industry result, says the market for CVs was helped by the popularity of new models introduced during the recent Bangkok International Motor Show.

With four months completed, the car market is up 34.6% to 105,905 units, boosted by the popularity of new models. The CV segment has grown 6.3% to 167,852 units, with Vudhigorn citing an improvement in economic conditions, including growth for the tourism industry and rising prices for agricultural crops.

He says the volatility of the global economy will continue to affect Thailand, which remains in a recovery phase.

“The market is expected to be stable in May,” Vudhigorn says in a statement.

Toyota raised its market share to 28.2% in April, as sales rose 19.8% to 17,844 units. Isuzu followed, up 1.3% to 12,107, ahead of Honda, which fell 8.4% to 8,348.

The April car market saw Toyota sales jump 38.1% to 7,791 units as the brand continued to lead the sector. Honda followed, down 9.7% at 6,311 units, but still well ahead of Mazda, up 40.6% to 3,089.

Isuzu led the April CV sector, rising 1.3% to 12,107 units, but Toyota closed the gap with deliveries up 8.7% to 10,053. Ford came in third, as sales soared 47.3% to 3,817 units.

After four months, Toyota has a comfortable lead in the market overall, with sales up 17.1% to 76,603 units for a 28.0% share. Isuzu follows, up 11.3% to 53,814, ahead of Honda, up 12.9% to 38,539.