1 in 100 Thais in 40+ age group plans to buy new vehicles

 

 

 

A recent Nielsen study on retirement and automobile purchase also showed that 6 out of 10 of Thais in that age group planning to purchase a vehicle in a year claim that pick-up truck would be their first choice, while 30 percent would opt for a car, and less than one percent would go for a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Aside from features, services offered by manufacturers also plays an important role in purchase decision for them. The services voted as the most important is 24-hour call centre for roadside assistance and voice navigation (4.27 points out of 5), followed by an auto collision notification – an automatic alert to family members in case of accident – at 4.09 points. Call centre for technical difficulties comes at third at 4.06 points. 

The study also indicates differences in the auto feature preferences between pick-up trucks and car owners. The former prefer features and services relating to pre collision and accident alert system, while the latter opt for ease of driving and technical assistance.

“It is very important for auto manufacturers to start looking into the greying market in Thailand,” said Somwalee Limrachtamorn, Nielsen’s Director of Customer Research – Automotive Industry. “By 2015, 20 per cent of Thai population would be over 60 years old, which is higher than the global average at 15 per cent. The manufacturers that manage to capture this growing segment’s need at the early stage will most likely reap the benefits in the very near future.”