The Thai market has tripled since 2007
- The Thai passenger car market has tripled since 2007, from 210,000 units to 680,000 in 2012. Thailand is one of the ASEAN countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore) who has benefited from strong economic growth over the past dozen years.
- This economic growth favors the development of the automotive market. Vehicles sold in Asean are mainly manufactured in plants of this region (inhabited by more than 600 million people.) This region imports very few vehicles from other regions.
- As for carmakers, the Thai market is dominated by Japanese brands (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi). Only two U.S. automakers GM and Ford have managed a foray in this market (6th and 7th place respectively).
- It is to be noted that 600 000 pick-up have been sold in 2012, almost as much as cars. Thailand is indeed one of the largest producers of pick-up in the world, exporting this type of vehicles in all countries. Japanese and American carmakers have chosen this country in the 90s as a global production base for the construction of medium-tonnage pick-up. The SUV market accounts for 100,000 sales in 2012. Finally 50 0000 trucks were sold in 2012.
Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes