January 2014 Vehicle Production Overview in Seven Asian Nations
- In January 2014, vehicle production in seven Asian countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Korea, Taiwan) decreased 12,1% compared to the same period of a year earlier to 1,06 million units. In ASEAN, while Thailand remained sluggish, Indonesia stayed on a growth path. India dropped below the result of the same month of 2013 for the fifth consecutive month.
- Thailand declined 31,1% to 163 000 units. The sharp drop is the result of piled-up backlog orders, generated by the First Car scheme, which artificially increased demand in the first half of 2013. Production decrease of Nissan and Honda was each over 50%. Indonesia went up 9,9 percent to 107 000 units, maintaining high growth. Apart from Suzuki and Nissan, all other major automakers increased production. Meanwhile, Malaysia dropped 1,3% to 56 000 units. Honda, which boosted capacity to 100 000 units in the second half of 2013, rose 50%.
- Korea dropped 10,3% to 368 000 units. GM Korea, which halted production of LCVs that do not meet emission regulations, fell 30%. India declined 10,1% to 326 000 units. Although the top four manufacturers (Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors et Mahindra ) posted production decrease, fifth and sixth placed Nissan and Honda brisk sales.
