Southeast Asian auto sales skyrocket in 2000

Southeast Asian auto sales skyrocket in 2000

SINGAPORE (AFP): New vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's four largest markets climbed 53 percent in the first 11 months of 2000, despite a sharp downturn in the Philippines late in the year, according to a survey released Friday.

The number of new vehicles sold in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand totaled 896,690 between January and November last year, compared to 586,369 in the same period in 1999, marketing strategy company Automotive Resources Asia (ARA) said in a monthly report.

Malaysia remained the biggest market in the region with 315,386 vehicles sold in the first 11 months of 2000, up 21 percent on the previous year.

Indonesia showed the most explosive growth with sales up 250 percent to 274,864, while Thailand sold 228,863 vehicles in the 11 months, up 26 percent.

Increased sales at the start of the year pushed the Philippines to sales of 77,577, a 16 percent increase.

Thailand showed the biggest percentage growth in November, with sales increasing nine percent from October to 23,214.

Indonesia, with sales of 31,859 was up two percent in November compared to October, while Malaysia rose one percent to 30,892.

However, November vehicle sales in the Philippines plummeted 25 percent to 5,600, continuing a downward spiral which began in July.

"Declining confidence in regional economies caused new vehicle sales in the second half of 2000 to be lower than the first half of the year," said ARA executive director John Bonnell.

"The region could see slower vehicle sales next year if the region's economic situation remains gloomy."

Japan's Toyota Motors Corp. remained the brand leader with a 21 percent share of the market, followed by Proton of Malaysia and Mitsubishi.