Thai domestic auto sales hit 47-month high in November

BANGKOK, Dec 17 – Thailand’s domestic automobile sales in November rose by 38.3 per cent year-on-year to 78,874 units, up 9.53 per cent from October, marking their highest level in 47 months, according to the auto industry.

Surapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesman for the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Automotive Industry Club said on Friday that the high growth in domestic car sales was due to Thai economic recovery, higher purchasing power, along with the high price of agricultural produce, growing exports, and the tourism industry.

Another factor was that the compact car segment in the country continues to boom among Thai consumers.

From January to November this year, 707,235 units were sold, representing a 48.3 per cent rise in the sales volume compared to the same period last year, the spokesman said.

Auto production in November totalled 157,094 units, marking the highest figure since 1961, said Mr Surapong. November car manufacturing was up 29.85 per cent year-on-year and increased by 2.88 per cent compared to October.

The total number of cars produced from January to November this year was 1,507,013 units, or a 69.77-per cent increase year-on-year.

The FTI Automotive Industry Club projected that 413,237 vehicle units will be produced from December of this year through February next year, a reduction of 37,962 units, equalling 8.41 per cent compared to the September to November’s total production of 451,199 units. However, the latest forecast compared to the real total car production of 343,420 units year-on-year rose by 69,817 units or 20.33 per cent.

Meanwhile, 1,687,991 motorcycles were sold from January to November this year, or a 21.61-per cent rise compared to the same period last year, Mr Surapong said. The motorcycle sales volume in November reached 144,220 units, up 10.71 per cent year-on-year, and up 3.64 per cent compared to October.

The Automotive Industry Club projected that 533,415 motorcycle units will be produced from December this year to February next year, dropping by 2,713 units, or 0.51 per cent compared to the September to November’s total production of 536,128 units. However, actual total motorcycle manufacturing of 446,299 units year-on-year rose by 87,116 units or 19.52 per cent. (MCOT online news)