BANGKOK: The domestic car market is expected to recover in the second half of the year after positive signs based on higher car output emerged in March. The Federation of Thai Industries’ (FTI) automotive industry club reported yesterday that car production hit a 30-month high last month at 192,811 vehicles, up 8.19% year-on-year.
Spokesman Surapong Paisitpatanapong said production for domestic sale increased in all segments, including passenger cars, pickup trucks and pickup passenger vehicles (PPVs). Output slated for domestic sale accounted for 43.3% of overall production in March, up from 31.9% in January and 37.1% in February.
“Those figures indicate the improving condition of the car market, mainly thanks to recovering consumer demand,” Mr Surapong said. “Higher actual sales are likely to start from June.” The club said domestic sales in March remained in the red, down 2.3% at 72,404 vehicles. First-quarter sales tallied 181,318 cars, down 8.3%.
