Thailand's car market recorded aggressive growth for every brand during the first four months this year, reflecting a bullish market driven by optimistic economic sentiment.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported Wednesday the car market in April rose sharply by 25.2% to 79,206 units sold thanks to many new and refreshed models being introduced as well as the success of the latest Bangkok International Motor Show.
Moreover, interest in fruit markets, in particular for durian, was reflected by massive demand from local and overseas customers for pickups, with sales volume surging by 49.5% to 930 units in Chanthaburi last month to support transport flows in the province and surrounding areas.
"Although April had many days off and long holidays, the auto market remained upbeat for car distributors," said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, spokesman of the FTI's automotive industry club.
The domestic market also posted a 15.5% rise to 316,229 cars sold during January to April.
Every car segment saw healthy growth except big trucks and other types.
There was some movement in terms of car brands' rankings. US brand Ford moved up to the fifth spot, replacing Japan's Nissan, which fell to the sixth spot.
MG from Chinese firm SAIC Motor stole ninth place from US's Chevrolet, which fell to the 10th spot.
For Ford, the brand's most reliable models are the Ranger pickup and the Everest pickup passenger vehicle, which ranked third and fourth for their respective segments.
MG has been successful with the GS and ZS sport utility vehicles (SUVs), which were ranked third in this segment, after Honda and Toyota.
Chanchai Trakarnudomsuk, president of Mazda Sales Thailand, said Mazda maintained its competitive performance in the first four months, led by its eco-car with sales of 13,081 units, growth of 42%, followed by the CX-5 SUV with 3,071 units, surging by 186%.
But sales of the BT-50 pickup during this period reached 2,065 units, down by 8%, while 1,666 units of the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback represent an 8% drop, and 1,115 units of the CX-3 SUV tally a 20% decline.
"With increasing demand in the Thai automobile market thanks to their emotional design, attention to detail and large number of innovative technologies offering outstanding performance and efficiency, Mazda products are in the limelight, with customers helping spread the word about their exceptional experience," Mr Chanchai said.
Toshiaki Maekawa, president of Tri Petch Isuzu Sales, said the company retains its overall market outlook for 900,000 cars sold in 2018, a 3.4% improvement even though the first four months performed higher than projected.
He said the company has a conservative sales projection as the market may be affected by myriad risks from an unstable global economy, increasing interest rates and a high level of household debt.
