October 22, 2008
Bangkok - September’s auto exports increased 18.15 percent compared to same period of last year, driven by strong demand in foreign markets.
The weakened baht currency also helped increase the export value last month.
Vehicle exports totally valued more than 34 billion baht, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
"Our auto exports were very strong in September in nearly every market except in Africa," federation spokesman Surapong Paisitpatanapong told AFP.
"The weaker baht at around 34.00 baht (to the dollar) in September also helped increase the auto export value."
Last month, Thailand exported more than 74,000 vehicles.
The number accounted for more than half of the total production of 123,834 vehicles. Surapong expected auto exports would continue to pick up this year despite global financial crisis.
Thailand has exported 599,431 vehicles abroad in the first nine months of this year. This yielded 274.46 billion baht to the country.
