Auto production, exports prosperous

BANGKOK, 24 January 2011 (NNT) – Both production and exports of cars in Thailand were very thriving in December 2010 as their figures had hit a record high, according to the Automotive Industrial Group of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

As elaborated by Automotive Industrial Group Spokesperson Surapong Paisitpatnapong, the number of cars sold in the period was 93,122, rising by 29.2% year-on-year thanks to the recent Motor Expo as well as improving situation in tourism, exports and confidence of the public.

Exports of cars in December 2010 totalled 71,025, an increase of 32.51% year-on-year. Vehicle production in the same month stood at 137,403, up by 22.99%.

Total production in 2010 was 1.64 million, the highest in 50 years or 64.63% year-on-year. Domestic sales in 2010 was 800,357, increasing by 45.8% while exports in the same year stood at 895,855, the highest since 1988 when Thailand started exporting cars.

It is expected that car production would go up to 1.8 million in 2011, of which one million would be for export while the rest would be for domestic sale. Imports would be around 50,000-60,000, raising the number of cars sold in Thailand to 860,000-870,000.