Thailand: Automobile Sales Decline 21.4% to 790,000 Units in 2020

The Thai automobile market decreased 21.4% from the preceding year to 792,000 units in 2020. In response to the spread of new coronavirus, measures to prevent infections, and the worsening domestic and international environment, sales fell some 20 percent from the last two years, when it exceeded 1 million units. It is the first time in 4 years since 2016 that sales fell below 800,000 units. On a monthly basis, sales continued to fall below the same month last year from the latter half of 2019, dropping to 65% year-on-year in April 2020 due to the pandemic, but recovered to the same month last year level by September.

Sales declined in almost all segments. Passenger vehicles fell 26.7% to 388,000 units. Of which, sales of sedan and hatchback models, including Eco Car vehicles, which account for around 30% of the market, declined 33.1% to 226,000 units, suffering the largest decline among all segments. SUVs performed well, falling only 1.9% to 69,000 units. Light commercial vehicles dropped 15.5% to 381,000 units. Of which, one-ton pickup trucks, which account for more than 40% of the market, declined 15.5% to 365,000 units.