Thai carmakers in the driver's seat

A total of 365,623 automobiles were produced in Thailand during the first quarter of this year, posing a 24.52-per-cent growth compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the Automotive Industry Group, Federation of Thai Industries.

The group's spokesman Surapong Paisitpatanapong said vehicle exports in the first quarter also surged 27.85 per cent to 197,550 units. Export value rose 29.88 per cent to Bt88.89 billion.

Of the 365,623 units produced from January to March, 201,603 units (55.14 per cent) were for export.

Passenger car production in the first quarter reached 101,912 units, up 46.28 per cent thanks to the new models enjoying the E20 gasohol excise-tax break.

A total of 63 units of 10-tonne buses were produced in the first quarter, down 14.86 compared with the same period last year.

From January to March, a combined 263,648 trucks were produced, up 17.76 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year.

Of these, 258,606 units (18.47 per cent increase) were 1-tonne pickup trucks, 118,424 commercial pickup trucks, up 10.60 per cent, 127,134 double cab pickup trucks, up 24.37 per cent,  and 13,048 pickup passenger vehicles, up 45.19 per cent).

In the first quarter, production of 5-tonne trucks reached 1,167 units, plunging 39.47 per cent compared with the first quarter last year.

Meanwhile, production of mid-sized trucks (5 to 10 tonnes) reached 2,159 units, surging 82.35 per cent, and production of large trucks (more than 10 tonnes) was 1,716 units, down 31.36 per cent.

In the first quarter, motorcycle production reached 798,694 units, down 1.47 per cent compared with the same period last year. Of these, 432,665 units were completely built-up motorcycles (down 0.56 per cent) and 366,029 units were knockdown kits (down 3.78 per cent).

In the first quarter, 197,550 built-up automobiles were exported, surging 27.85 per cent compared with the same period last year while export value shot up 29.88 per cent to Bt88.89 billion.

Engines worth Bt4.95 billion were exported from Thailand during this period, up as much as 117.60 per cent, while component exports reached Bt32.25 billion, up 40.86 per cent.

Export of spare parts reached Bt2.32 billion, up 41.27 per cent.

The combined value of automobile, component and spare parts export during the first quarter amounted to Bt128.07 billion, up 34.67 per cent.

Motorcycle exports from January to March totalled 405,346 units (built-up and knockdown kits), rising 0.75 per cent while export value reached Bt6.63 billion, up 16.37 per cent.

Exports of motorcycle components reached Bt4.62 billion, up 34.81 per cent, while spare parts exports amounted to Bt215 million, up 23.97 per cent. Total export value of motorcycles, components and spare parts in the first quarter reached Bt11.47 billion, up 23.31 per cent.

In the first quarter, the combined export value of automobiles, engines, components, spare parts, and motorcycles, components and spare parts amounted to Bt139.54 billion, up 33.66 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.