Posted on 18 Jul 2008
High diesel prices were the main culprit behind lower sales
in June of pickup trucks, the country's top-selling vehicles, said Toyota Motor
Thailand vice-president Vutigorn Suraiyachantananont.
Fuel costs have been the main factor pushing inflation to a
10-year high, affecting purchasing power and demand for commercial vehicles and
one-ton pickup trucks.
Mr Vutigorn said vehicle sales in June dropped year-on-year
by 5.9% to 50,108 units. Sales of commercial vehicles plunged 20.9% including a
23.2% decrease in pickup truck sales, but passenger car sales last month still
grew 29.3%.
However, first-half sales were still up 9.9% year-on-year to
321,475 units, mostly from 32.4% growth in car sales driven by the continued
market popularity of E20-powered cars.
In addition, consumers switched to cars rather than
commercial vehicles, especially the pickup truck market which shrank 0.7% as a
result of runaway diesel price in May and June.
Mr Vutigorn said the automobile market this month tends to
be steady as economic and political problems remain negative factors for sales
while fuel prices, which affect consumer sentiment, have no signs of coming
down.
Only aggressive promotional campaigns and affordable buying
proposals will allow car companies to maintain their vehicle sales this month.
Isuzu came in second selling 71,191 units, up 6.6% for a
22.1% share, while Honda was third with 43,126 units, up 35.3% for 13.4% share.
In the car market,
It was followed by Honda, which sold 37,500 units, up 41%,
and Nissan 3,608 units, up 86.6%.
