Auto sales recover in Jan
Thailand witnessed recovery in the flood-affected automobile sector, as 76,246 vehicles were sold in January.
The number accounted for an increase of 11.5 per cent from the same period last year, according to data compiled by Toyota Motor Thailand.
Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, senior vice president of TMT, attributed the increase to consistent demand. However, the growth rate dropped from the same period last year, as some automakers are unable to resume normal operations. After the floods, most manufacturers have resumed operations.
Of total, passenger car sales dropped 9.8 per cent on year, to 27,962 units. Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd, the biggest passenger car maker, plans to resume operations soon after floods hit its plants in Ayutthaya in October.
The number of commercial vehicles sold in the month rose 29.1 per cent on year to 48,282. One-tonne pickups, constituting a major part of the segment, posted sales of 42,801 units or an increase of 35.3 per cent.
He expects sales in February to show a continued increase, as automakers are accelerating the production to deliver vehicles booked before the floods. Economic stimulus measures including the first-car policy and civil servant pay hike would also introduce direct and indirect benefits to the industry.
