Car Sales Surge on COVID-19 Concerns

[webfact]

 

By Suwit Rattiwan

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says bookings at the Thailand International Motor Expo are expected to hit organizers’ targets as consumer concerns persist about the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The 12-day event that ends today (Dec 12) received a positive response from consumers, with bookings of between 10,000 and 14,000 units during the first 10 days of the 38th Motor Expo. The organizers expect nearly 800,000 people to visit the Impact Challenger exhibition Center, with another 200,000 to view the event via online applications.

 

Carmakers and dealers have speculated that the positive response stems from more people wanting to buy personal vehicles to avoid contracting COVID-19 on public transportation.

 

The FTI had previously set a 2021 automobile production target of 1.55-1.60 million units, with 800,000-850,000 units exported. Domestic sales during the first ten months, however, fell 2.1 percent year-on-year, to 596,393 units.

 

The FTI expects the Expo to contribute to domestic car sales, which is projected to reach 750,000 units by the end of 2021.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-12-13

 

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[RichardColeman]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

Carmakers and dealers have speculated that the positive response stems from more people wanting to buy personal vehicles to avoid contracting COVID-19 on public transportation.

Ah, good plan, have a covid disease every few years to boost car sales 

[wensiensheng]

I find it a stretch to believe this. Ability to afford a personal vehicle strikes me as the main reason for using public transport and if I decide to avoid using it due to Covid concerns, a motorbike might be a more likely transport candidate.

 

bangkok might be a special case of using public transport whilst being able to afford a car but I don’t see there being enough in that category to be a big boost to saws.

 

this strikes me as a statement of demand that is intended to stimulate the demand itself, so an intended self fulfilling prophecy 

[Dionigi]

went to buy a new toyota last week and was told 3 to 4 months wait. JIT doesn't seem to be working.

[IAMHERE]

18 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

went to buy a new toyota last week and was told 3 to 4 months wait. JIT doesn't seem to be working.

And hardly anything on the showroom floor or on the lot. Lucky if you can view a car/truck/suv that is being picked up by the new purchaser. Not like the USA at all, no current selection or very little.

I can barely believe so many in Thailand have a million or more baht for a vehicle but they must.

 

Edited December 13, 2021 by IAMHERE
spelling

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Carmakers and dealers have speculated that the positive response stems from more people wanting to buy personal vehicles to avoid contracting COVID-19 on public transportation.

Or just some bargain prices to be had.

[toolpush]

4 hours ago, Dionigi said:

went to buy a new toyota last week and was told 3 to 4 months wait. JIT doesn't seem to be working.

Any new vehicle I bought over the years in Thailand was the same. You ordered it and then got it a few months later. 

[Henryford]

Can't believe Covid has anything to do with it. If people can a afford a car, instead of the bus, they will buy one. Obviously there is still plenty of money around. For the average thai a car is a big investment, 2-3 years salary.

[KhunLA]

That's a silly assumption.   People that have to take the bus, aren't going to spend ฿100 to look at cars they can't afford to buy.

 

 

[Dionigi]

7 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

And hardly anything on the showroom floor or on the lot. Lucky if you can view a car/truck/suv that is being picked up by the new purchaser. Not like the USA at all, no current selection or very little.

I can barely believe so many in Thailand have a million or more baht for a vehicle but they must.

 

Rang BKK sent a rep down to Pattaya with the paperwork, new car to be picked up after paperwork completed. Must be Pattaya car dealers never had this kind of service from them.

[AustinRacing]

I go there every year. Numbers considerably low. On a side note they asked me for vaccine certificate. Did not have on me. Rang the wife at home and eventually they let me in. 

[silverhawk_usa]

I ordered a new Toyota Hilux Revo GR in November (Nakorn Ping Toyota, Chiang Mai).  The dealer had many pick ups in stock, but only 1 customer ordered GR waiting for the bank processing.  He told me it would take one to two months, but as I was paying cash he would try to move me up in the queue.  It took 7 weeks.  On the day I picked up mine, he said they were delivering 15 other vehicles that day and more during the week.  Obviously many customers are still comfortable with purchasing new vehicles.

[Pravda]

10 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

this strikes me as a statement of demand that is intended to stimulate the demand itself, so an intended self fulfilling prophecy

You are wrong.

[Knocker33]

More debt ahead.

 

[Denim]

Hoop and Stick sales are also booming because of Covid 19.  Cheap and affordable transport for the hoi palloi.  Economical and environmentally friendly too. 

 

Only downside is that being lightweight they are easy to steal which can be inconvenient if yours gets stolen whilst on holiday leaving you stranded without the means to get home.

 

[Dante99]

6 hours ago, toolpush said:

Any new vehicle I bought over the years in Thailand was the same. You ordered it and then got it a few months later. 

I always got mine off the floor the same day except once I waited 3 days.

[peter zwart]

Yeah, lets borrow more money. More trouble ahead with (possible) rising interest rates.

[natway09]

Considering over  60% of electricity generated in Thailand is by fossil fuels, I hope you feel good driving an EV, because that is the only good thing.

Don't t take it too far as charging stations are few & far between along with  slow chargers in most of them