Thailand’s July Sales Reflect Consumer Confidence

Growing confidence is driving more consumers into Thailand salerooms, with July deliveries rising 7.5% year-on-year to 65,178 units and a 7-month result ahead 10.7% at 475,158.

Toyota Thailand, which collates data for the industry, says car sales rose 10% during the month to 26,799 units and commercial-vehicle deliveries climbed 5.8% to 38,379, including the 1-ton pickup segment up 5.4% at 30,741.

The year-to-date car market grew 22.6% to 188,282 units, while the CV segment was up 4.0% at 286,876, with the 1-ton segment ahead 4.5% at 231,760.

Toyota Thailand Vice President Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont attributes the across-the-board growth to the popularity of new models and industry promotions.

“Continued stimulus measures from the public sector have a positive impact on overall economic growth,” he says in a statement.

Toyota led the July result, despite dropping 17.9% year-on-year to 16,507 units. Isuzu narrowed the gap, rising 15.4% to 12,127 units, ahead of Honda, up 15.4% at 10,501.

The car market saw Honda moving to the top, up 10.5% at 7,546 units, with Toyota diving 18.2% to 6,413. Mazda followed, up 24.0% at 2,894 units.

Isuzu led the CV segment for the month, rising 13.8% to 12,127 units. Toyota dropped to second, down 17.7% at 10,094 units. Ford was in third place, up 23.5% at 4,192 units.

Within the CV market, the important 1-ton pickup segment saw Isuzu up 15.4% in July to 10,962 units. Toyota plunged 17.2% to 9,517 units, with Ford up 24.9% at 3,910.

Through seven months, Toyota maintained a healthy lead despite falling 0.2% to 128,995 units, while Isuzu rose 7.6% to 89,236. Honda was third, up 14.1% at 71,929 units.

Still, Honda led the car market, up 17.6% at 53,529 units, ahead of Toyota, up 18.5% at 51,580, and Mazda, up 25.5% at 19,865.

CV deliveries year-to-date saw Isuzu on top, up 7.6% at 89,236 units, Toyota fell 9.6% to 77,415, and Ford ranked third, up a spectacular 40.7% at 29,349.

Within the CV segment, the 1-ton pickup market had Isuzu up 8.1% at 81,381 units, Toyota down 10.5% at 72,622 and Ford up 41.4% at 27,787.

Leading the American contingent, Ford’s July sales rose 21.2% to 4,234 units for a year-to-date total ahead 38.2% at 29,747.

Meantime, Chevrolet remained far behind its Detroit rival, with July sales up 21.9% at 1,202 units for a 7-month total ahead 25.8% at 7,912.

Meanwhile, GM has named Ian Nicholls to be the Bangkok-based president of its Southeast Asia operations, effective Sept. 1.

Nicholls’ appointment is part of a new GM strategy to establish a fully integrated business structure across the region to drive greater customer focus, grow Chevrolet sales and improve profitability.

“We are transforming our business, establishing GM as a more focused and disciplined company,” Stefan Jacoby, GM executive vice president and president of GM International, says in a statement.

 “With one regional leader instead of four managing directors, and a brand-new leadership team, Ian will implement a leaner structure that is highly focused on the business and spans Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and distributor markets under one strategic regional vision,” Jacoby says.