The second quarter closed out with a haul of 50,108 vehicles in June, the fourth lowest monthly return this year, taking sales at the halfway mark to 321,474 units for a 9.9% growth over the same period last year.
It was also the lowest haul for the month since 2003. As crude inches closer to US$150 per barrel, consumers can expect some relief in the form of a six-month economic stimulus package which includes fuel subsidies of about three baht per litre.
Consumers, it seems. are applying the brakes on vehicle purchase as a result of political and economic instability, which can be attributed to the June drop of 8.8% over the 54,910 units sold in May, according to Tri Petch Isuzu.
Automakers are trying to beat the slide through promotions and campaigns by giving out petrol vouchers, lenient payment terms and extended warranties.
Pick-ups
This segment is feeling the brunt of the oil crisis with diesel hovering around B44 per litre resulting in the second-lowest monthly haul of 24,696 units this year, down 12.4% from the 27,106 units sold in May.
The first half total of 176,217 units is a 0.7% improvement over last year during the same period, and analysts predict sales to move into the red in the later half of this year. Only Isuzu and Mitsubishi reported growth of 8.3% and 1.3% respectively.
Both Toyota (39.5%) and Isuzu (37.3%) still dominate the market, the rest left to pick the crumbs.
Isuzu is adopting a blanket campaign for its entire D-Max lineup comprising free insurance and a B18,700 GPS system for its four-wheel drive models.
Chevrolet is wooing customers with B40,000 in petrol vouchers and low interest payment schemes for its Colorado (except the bi-fuel model) until July 31.
Newcomer Tata sold 23 units last month to give it a total of 42 units and 0.02% market share.
Passenger cars
Sales of cars with smaller engine displacements give this segment some sense of resilience as June returned the third-highest figures this year despite dropping 3.2% in May. All brands posted growth except Ford which was down 58.9% on sales of 528 vehicles.
First-tier brands Toyota (48.9%) and Honda (33.9%) occupy four-fifths of the segment thanks to their B-segment rivalry, while Chevrolet led the second tier after selling 1,017 vehicles last month to give it a total of 5,402 units for 4.9% market share. Its Optra (except CNG model) and Aveo lineup are also offering petrol vouchers worth B40,000, low interest rates - 0.49% - and 48-month installment payment scheme till July 31.
Despite not being able to meet demand for the Mazda 3, Mazda Sales Thailand sold 292 units last month and is promoting its B1m petrol voucher lucky-draw in addition to 0% down payment at 1.99% interest.
Ford wraps up the top-10 list with one of the more generous incentives - B60,000 in petrol vouchers and its 5-5-5 programme (quality, maintenance and emergency service for five years) for the Focus, Escape and Everest models.
Its total sales of 110,419 units represent 32.4% growth over last year during the same period.
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