New auto sale record achieved in July

Thailand's automotive market has reached a new height, posting another monthly record sale volume of 131,646 units in July which soared 80.6 per cent from the same period last year.

According to data compiled by Toyota Motor Thailand, of total vehicles sold, 64,430 units were passenger cars which showed an increase of 99.6 per cent from the same period last year; and 67,216 units were commercial vehicles which rose 65.5 per cent. A number of 58,868 one-tonne pickups were sold in the month, up 68.1 per cent on year.

Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, vice president at Toyota Motor Thailand, attributed the new record to continued demand, driven by the first-car buyer scheme and launch of new models. Moreover, all automakers increased their production capacity to meet piled-up orders.

The July sale volume raised the 7-month sale volume to 738,169 units, up 46.2 per cent from the same period last year.

"The momentun should continue in August, as all camps raise the capacity to quicken delivery. From August to the end of this year, we expect demand to remain brisk, due to the first-car buyer scheme. Right now, though Thailand’s export sector suffers from the euro crisis, the Thai automotive industry has not witnessed any negative impact," he said.