Automobile sales in Thailand reached 47,193 units in April, reflecting a 1-per cent rise compared to the same period last year.
In April, passenger car sales rose by 3.6 per cent to 17,917 units while commercial vehicle sales declined by 0.6 per cent to 29,276 units, with 1-ton pickup truck sales plunging by 21.4 per cent to 13,896 units.
Supakorn Ratanawaraha, vice president of Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd, said xEV sales grew by 43.9 per cent to 21,897 units compared to April 2023, making up 46.4 per cent of the total market. Meanwhile, HEV sales went down by 13.4 per cent to 8,892 units and BEV sales shot up by 163.4 per cent to 11,280 units.
He said the automobile market in May has a tendency to improve over April, with seasonal sales increases and the gradual delivery of vehicles ordered at the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show.
At the Motorshow, Toyota received more than 9,600 orders, with more than 7,600 vehicles already delivered to customers in the Bangkok and surrounding areas in April.
“In addition, Toyota would like to thank the government for stimulus measures for the auto market, such as the project to support small to medium entrepreneurs by the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) under the hire purchase loan guarantee project “TCG SMEs PICK-UP” which may help stimulate purchasing decisions to invest in businesses,” Supakorn said.
In April, Toyota was the top brand in the market with sales of 17,900 units, 7.8 per cent lower than the corresponding period last year. The Japanese automaker has a 37.9-per cent market share.
Chinese manufacturer BYD saw sales skyrocket by 630.7 per cent to 6,554 units, thanks to the increasing popularity of electric cars, and now holds a 13.9-per cent market share. Isuzu is third with 5,616 units, down by 18.1 per cent, for an 11.9-per cent market share.
From January to April, Toyota is also the leader with an aggregate of 75,583 units (down 3.4 per cent) securing 37.7-per cent market share, followed by Isuzu with 25,905 units (down by 17.2 per cent) for a 12.9-per cent market share. Honda is third with 24,725 units (down by 19.8 per cent) with 12.3-per cent market share.
