Thai Market Rebounds in July

New-vehicle sales in Thailand jump 11% year-on-year to 72,902 units in July, putting the industry firmly back on track following supply disruptions from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami earlier this year.

Toyota Thailand, which compiles sales data for the Thai industry, says new passenger-car deliveries rose 12.2% to 32,277 units. Commercial-vehicle sales increased 10.1% to 40,625, including the 1-ton pickup segment, up 12.6% at 35,028.

Another record month for Fiesta in Thailand.

The result leaves the year-to-date total up 19.5% at 504,914 units, with the car market 24.0% ahead of year-ago at 225,787 units and the CV segment up 16.2% at 279,127 units.

Toyota Thailand Executive Vice President Wutthikorn Suriyachantanano says the strong month reflects a return to normal for the parts supply line from Japan.

Sales also were helped by a strong domestic economy, reflected by a rising consumer confidence index and a low unemployment rate, he says.

Toyota’s biggest concern is that Thai inflation remains high, threatening an interest-rate increase that would raise the cost of doing business and dampen vehicle sales.

Toyota led July with volume up 6.8% to 27,995 units, topping Isuzu, which gained 2.6% to 12,011. Honda sales slipped 30.3% to 7,150.

In the car market, Toyota rose 16% for the month to 12,411 units. Honda fell 25.5% to 6,816, while Nissan climbed 19% to 4,160.

Toyota topped the July 1-ton pickup segment, up 1.3% to 14,020 units, ahead of Isuzu, gaining 1.5% to 10,948, and Mitsubishi, soaring 110.3% to 5,326.

After seven months, Toyota remains the Thai market leader, with sales up 7.8% to 184,296 units. Isuzu follows at 92,040 (an 11.9% gain). Honda is next, but its volume has declined 13.7% to 53,520 vehicles. Only a few vehicles separate U.S. brands Ford and Chevrolet in the market.

Year-to-date, Chevrolet has its nose in front, with sales climbing 70.2% at 17,936 vehicles, just ahead of rapidly approaching Ford, up 279.7% at 17,838. Ford’s July sales rose 285.2% to 3,035 units, while Chevrolet was up 60.7% at 2,739.

Ford says the surge in demand for its all-new Ford Fiesta helped it post its second-best all-time monthly performance in July. The Fiesta accounted for 2,060 units, marking the seventh consecutive month the car has eclipsed its previous monthly high.

Sales of Ford’s Ranger pickup rose 40% to 651 units.