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.