Vehicles sales slow in July

According to data compiled by Tri Petch Isuzu Sales, consumers continued to adopt a wait-and-see attitude, prolonging the decision to buy new cars. Only 44,772 units were sold in July.

During the month, the global crude oil price hit a new high of US$147 (Bt4,960) per barrel, as a result of which all fuel products retailed at new highs. Diesel cost more than Bt40 per litre.

Both one-tonne pickups and passenger cars witnessed a drop in sales. Auto companies sold 20,910 pickups in July, down 15.33 per cent from the previous month. The number of passenger cars dropped 6.3 per cent to 19,280 units.

However, sales figures for the first seven months showed a 6.57-per-cent increase from the same period last year, at 366,246 units. Toyota remained the top seller, with a 42.71-per-cent market share. Next were Isuzu with 21.82 per cent and Honda with 13.61 per cent.

The positive seven-month picture was attributable to the passenger-car segment.

In the period, 197,127 lightweight pickups were sold, down 4.07 per cent from the first seven months of last year. However, auto companies sold 129,699 passenger cars, 31.65 per cent higher year on year.