DOMESTIC AUTO SALES SLUMP

Total automotive sales in the country were 47,881 units in September, declining 10.5 per cent from the same month last year. However, the automotive industry exported 74,738 units last month, maintaining a robust growth of 15.76 per cent year on year.

The overall automotive industry exports totalled 599,431 units worth Bt434.27 billion in the first three quarters. The exports rose 21.46 per cent in terms of volume and 27.7 per cent in value.

"Our exports were not directly hit by the US financial crisis because most of our deliveries were to neighbouring countries, Australia and the Middle East where demand for automobiles remains high. However, many auto-makers are worried that exports will go down next year, while the domestic market would be inactive contiguously," said club spokesman Surapong Paisitpatnapong.

In the beginning of this year, the club targeted producing 770,000 units for export, and it adjusted this target to 791,000 units in mid-year thanks to strong growth in sales to Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

He said it would maintain its revised target although some auto-makers would not be confident of achieving it due mainly to the ongoing financial meltdown.

Total automotive production in the first nine months was approximately 1.07 million units, up 14.5 per cent from the same period last year, according to the club's report.

Of the total production, 56.43 per cent was exported and the remaining was sold in the Kingdom.