Vehicle sales hit record high in February
The automotive industry has witnessed another success milestone, as vehicle sales in February hit a new record high of 90,461 units.
According to data compiled by Toyota Motor Thailand, the figure is highest achieved in any single month. It also represents a 17.2 per cent increase from the same period last year.
“The high figure followed the normal operations of several auto makers, allowing them to deliver more vehicles to customers on the booking list," said Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, senior vice president at Toyota Motor Thailand.
Of the total, passenger cars accounted for 31,170 units, down 4 per cent on year, as Honda - the biggest passenger car maker in Thailand - had not yet resumed operations. Honda announced earlier that the flood-damaged plant in Ayutthaya will recommence operations on March 26.
Meanwhile, commercial vehicles rose 33.4 per cent to 58,291 units. In the commercial category, one-tonne pickups accounted for 51,335 or an increase of 36.2 per cent.
For the first two months of this year, combined vehicle sales reached 166,707 units, up 14.5 per cent on year.
Vudhigorn attributed the continued increase to persistently high demand as well as popularity of models launched last year.
“Vehicle sale growth should continue in March, as auto makers are resuming normal operations. That will increase their ability to clear the orders," he said.
