ASEAN auto sales rise 25%

ASEAN auto sales rise 25%

SINGAPORE (AFP): New vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's four
biggest markets rose 25 percent in January from a year ago,
setting the trend for a softer vehicle market this year, an
industry monitor said Thursday.

The number of new vehicles sold in Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines and Thailand totaled 69,449 units, up from 55,585 in
January last year, Automotive Resources Asia Ltd. said in its
latest report.

New vehicle sales increased by 78 percent to 19,637 units in
Indonesia, 23 percent to 27,045 units in Malaysia and a modest
eight percent to 17,031 units in Thailand.

The Philippines was the odd-man out, seeing vehicle sales fall
17 percent to 5,736 units in January -- when the political crisis
climaxed in a military-backed civilian uprising that ousted
president Joseph Estrada.

"Though signs for economic recovery remain unclear in the
region's economy, January sales figures from all countries except
the Philippines offered positive signals for the new vehicle
market this year," said Automotive Resources associate Chabaphrai
Srinont.