ASEAN auto sales softening due to recession, instability

ASEAN auto sales softening due to recession, instability

Agence France Presse Singapore

Motor vehicle sales in the four biggest Southeast Asian markets have begun to soften and the numbers are expected to worsen in the coming months, an industry monitor said.

Automotive Resources Asia Ltd. (ARA) said in a monthly report received here Monday that combined new-vehicle sales from January to August this year reached 670,071 units -- 6.5 percent higher than the same period in 2000.

Malaysia was again the market leader with a growth rate of 12.8 percent to post sales of 254,069 units during the eight- month period.

Thailand also posted sales growth from January to August with a rise of nearly 13 percent to 186,630 units.

The Philippines was the worst performer, with sales plunging 11.7 percent to 50,324 units during the period, while Indonesia suffered a 2.8 percent decline to 179,048 units.

In the four markets, passenger cars accounted for 311,892 units sold during the January-August period, while 358,180 commercial vehicles were sold.