ASEAN auto sales up despite economic slowdown

ASEAN auto sales up despite economic slowdown

SINGAPORE (AFP): Motor vehicle sales in the four biggest Southeast Asian markets rose 7.8 percent from a year ago to 489,676 units in the first six months of 2001, according to an industry monitor.

Regional sales are expected to maintain their pace for the rest of the year despite an economic slowdown and a steady decline in Philippine sales, Automotive Resources Asia (ARA) Ltd. said in a report received here Monday.

The report covers Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Malaysia posted the highest sales numbers in the period with 182,222 units sold, an 11.3 percent increase.

Thailand registered the highest percentage growth at 14.45 percent with 140,018 units sold.

In Indonesia, 132,057 units were sold, up 4.34 percent from a year ago, while sales in the Philippines plunged almost 15 percent to 35,379 units.

"The region's automotive demand during the first half of 2001 has met our expectations. Slow demand in the Philippines and Indonesia has been outweighed by steady growth in Thailand and Malaysia," said May Arthapan, associate at the Bangkok-based ARA.

"We are looking for the regional vehicle industry to maintain its pace through the end of the year," Arthapan added.

Malaysian national carmaker Proton was the top seller in the four countries with a 20 percent share of the market, followed by Japanese rivals Toyota at 16 percent, Mitsubishi at 11 percent and Isuzu at 11 percent.

Malaysia's second local manufacturer Perodua was in fifth place followed by Nissan and Honda of Japan.

Passenger car sales amounted to 225,191 units, up 7.56 percent from the first six months of 2000, while commercial vehicle sales were up 8.05 percent at 264,485 units.