Exports of vehicles made in Thailand increased by 4.3% in 2022
- Exports of vehicles made in Thailand increased by 4.3% from the previous year to reach 1,000,256 units in 2022, showing a gradual recovery but still far from the figures reached between 2015 and 2018, i.e. 1.2 million per year. This volume of exports represents 53% of the production carried out in Thailand in 2022, which was 1,883,515 vehicles. The remaining 47% was intended for the local market, mainly passenger cars (very few pick-ups).
- Exports concern a majority of pick-ups because Thailand is the largest producer of medium-tonnage pick-ups in the world (1,084,225 units produced in 2022), the United States being the largest producer of large tonnage pick-ups (2,560,637 units in 2022). Most pickups made in Thailand are exported, while the United States exports very few large pickups.
- An increase in Thailand's exports to the Middle East and Africa and a recovery in demand for medium-tonnage pickup trucks contributed to an export volume exceeding one million units in 2022. The transfer of Nissan Navara pickups from Spain to Thailand also contributed to this growth.
- On the other hand, the decline in passenger car production due to the shortage of semiconductors and the fall in exports to the European market (mainly the Mitsubishi Space Star) partially hampered the recovery. In 2023, the semiconductor shortage is expected to ease and demand for medium-duty pickup trucks is expected to continue to increase. As a result, total exports are expected to reach or even exceed 2019's level of 1.05 million units.