Thai Suzuki Motor Co, a maker and distributor of Japanese motorcycles, expects its sales to stay flat this year, citing the country's bearish motorcycle market and weak consumption.
Newly appointed president Naoki Okada said Thailand's overall market for new motorcycle sales would probably shrink by 5% this year to below 1.6 million.
Thailand's motorcycle sales last year totalled 1.68 million, down 1% from 2014. Sales surpassed 2 million for the first time in 2011, hitting 2.01 million. They rose to 2.13 million units in 2012, marking their highest level ever, before dropping to 2 million in 2013.
In 2014, the market fell by 15% to 1.7 million amid political turmoil and delayed payments for farmers under the rice-pledging scheme.
Suzuki expects its sales this year to stay unchanged from last year at 29,000-30,000 motorbikes.
"The low-end motorcycle segment, which is the largest one, remains very murky," Mr Okada said.
The Land Transport Department reported that 559,915 motorcycles were sold in the first four months of 2016, down 3.8% on the same period last year.
Mr Okada said the high-end segment, including sports motorcycles and big bikes, would remain healthy.
Suzuki sold 29,795 motorcycles in 2015, down 25.3% and marking four straight years of declining sales.
The company had the highest motorcycle sales in the country at 78,835 units in 2011.
Suzuki will make 200,000 motorcycles and 80,000 outboard engines this year at its plant in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani.
About 70% of the output is for export and the rest for local sales.
In a related development, the company has established Suzuki Riding School (SRS) certified by the Land Transport Department.
SRS was founded on a par with the training standards of the Shizuoka-based parent firm in Japan.
SRS is open to all trainees, even non-customers, and offers seven courses taught by 20 instructors. Courses include basic rider, professional rider, riding a big bike and training to be an instructor.
Tuition fees range from 500-1,000 baht per course with 5-10 hours of training.
Mr Okada expects this year's trainees will include 500 for the basic rider course and 500 for the big bike course.