Thai Automotive Industry

After a glorious year for the automobile industry with record sales in 2010, the industry is hoping for another boost from the Bangkok International Motor Show, with as much as Bt40b expected to change hands during the 12-day event.

Thai Stanley Electric, a leading Thai manufacturer of lights for the automotive industry with a Japanese parent company, believes the quake and tsunami disaster in Japan will not affect its operations in Thailand. The company imports only one raw material from Japan, said Apichart Leeissaranukul, executive vice president of Thai Stanley Electric, adding that stocks of the item would last until the end of the month.

Honda and Mazda launched two bread-and-butter models in Thailand yesterday, and are expecting to increase market share with them.

Nissan's move follows that of Mitsubishi Motor Corporation, which introduced its i-MiEV electric vehicle after completing fleet testing in Thailand under an agreement it struck with the government late last year.

Somboon Advance Technology Plc (SAT) will review this year's revenue forecast of 7.3 billion baht to take into account the Japanese disasters and Middle East riots.

The domestic sale of motor vehicles in Thailand surged by 44.2 per cent to 78,039 units in February, with Toyota retaining its predominant market share of 30,592 units, up 44.2 per cent, and Isuzu, ranked second largest with 14,713 units, up 22.2 per cent, an informed source in the automotive industry revealed on Wednesday.

Tax reforms in the automobile sector are unlikely to have a negative impact but would set a new direction for the industry for the next 10 years, according to Excise Department director- general Pongpanu Svetarundra.

Toyota Motor (Thailand) reported domestic auto sales of 49.6K in January, up a record 54.5% YoY, but down 31.2% MoM....

A Government House source quoted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying at yesterday's cabinet meeting that the US carmaker, which is...

Three banks have agreed to lend General Motors (Thailand) Bt13.5b to finance two vehicle programmes and construction of a new diesel-engine...