BMW Group Thailand, the local arm of the German car maker, expects sales growth to continue but at a slower pace than last year's record-setting performance.
Pfalz: Sees slower but still-solid growth
President Matthias Pfalz said the company sees a much slower sales pace this year after 44% growth in 2012.
Last year the company sold 6,114 vehicles including Minis compared with 4,243 in 2011. If sales of the Motorrad big bike are added, then BMW's Thai sales hit 6,404 units last year.
"Demand for premium cars could still increase potentially, but there are no variables like the mega floods to drive the market," said Mr Pfalz.
BMW said the overall premium car market is unlikely to grow as dramatically as in 2012, when 15,200 units were sold, up by 38%.
Sales of premium cars are forecast at 17,000 units this year, up by 11.8% from last year
Mr Pfalz said he still believes BMW can manage double-digit sales growth this year.
BMW has three main business lines - automobiles, Minis and Motorrads.
Its automobile division sold 5,613 units last year, up by 45% from 2011, with the Mini line moving 501 units (up 30%) and Motorrad selling 290 units (up 37%).
"Thailand has posted the highest growth in the entire BMW world thanks to two BMW models - the X1 and the 3 Series sixth generation," said Mr Pfalz.
BMW plans to introduce 14 models including three Motorrad models in the Thai market this year.
The company also hopes to add four showrooms and service centres to the current 16 by year-end.
In addition, BMW is considering expansion of its assembly plant in the Amata City Industrial Estate in Rayong province from its present annual capacity of 6,000 vehicles.