September 16, 2009
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand vehicle sales accelerated a downward trend in August, dropping 8.2 percent year-on-year in the 15th consecutive month to show a fall, the industry said Wednesday.
Sales for the month were 43,251, comprising a 12.6 percent drop in commercial vehicle sales to 25,461 units, while passenger car sales edged down 1.1 percent to 17,790 units.
"The one-ton pick-up truck segment, which dropped 12.0 percent, is still affected by the shrinking of new investment, while passenger car sales are on a more positive trend," said Toyota Motor Thailand, which compiles industry figures.
In July Thai auto sales dropped 3.6 percent year-on-year, the smallest drop for 14 months.
Toyota said the pick-up segment was also affected by stricter credit approval rules and higher oil prices, with sales plummeting 35.0 percent in first eight months of this year.
Combined auto sales plunged 23.1 percent year-on-year to 317,835 units for the first eight months of 2009.
The industry predicted overall car sales this year will fall 22 percent to 480,000 from last year.
