ส.อ.ท. เผยยอดส่งออกรถยนต์ มี.ค. 95,089 คัน ลดลงร้อยละ 3.35FTI Reports March Automotive Exports at 95,089 Units, a 3.35% Decrease

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Mr. Surapong Paisitpatpan, Vice President and Spokesperson of the Automotive Industry Group of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), announced the production, domestic sales, and exports of automobiles and motorcycles in March 2024, with 138,331 units produced, a decrease of 23.08 percent, 56,099 units sold, a decrease of 29.83 percent, and 95,089 units exported, a decrease of 3.35 percent. Electric vehicle production reached 1,226 units, an increase of 2,965 percent, while sales of electric vehicles (BEV) totaled 4,615 units, down 28.38 percent.

Production
The total number of automobiles produced in March 2024 was 138,331 units, down 23.08 percent from March 2023. Domestic sales dropped 41.01 percent due to decreased production of pickup trucks and passenger cars, impacted by strict credit approval policies from financial institutions, alongside the still limited production of electric vehicles in Thailand as some manufacturers are not yet ready. It is anticipated that electric vehicle production will increase in the third quarter, though it rose 3.47 percent from February 2024.

During January to March 2024, a total of 414,123 vehicles were produced, which is a decrease of 18.45 percent compared to January to March 2023.

In March 2024, passenger cars produced totaled 52,099 units, a decline of 18.39 percent from March 2023, classified as follows:

Passenger cars with Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) accounted for 31,684 units, down 39 percent from March 2023; Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) accounted for 1,226 units, an increase of 2,965 percent; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) totaled 606 units, a decrease of 29 percent; and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) amounted to 18,583 units, an increase of 84 percent. From January to March 2024, passenger car production stood at 155,049 units, representing 37.44 percent of total production, which is a decrease of 13.62 percent compared to January to March 2023, classified as follows:

ICE passenger cars accounted for 93,923 units, a decline of 55 percent from March 2023; BEV passenger cars numbered 2,647 units, an increase of 2.17 percent from March 2023; PHEV passenger cars totaled 1,548 units, down 43 percent from January to March 2023; HEV passenger cars reached 56,931 units, up 23 percent compared to January to March 2023. No passenger vehicles weighing less than 10 tons or more than 10 tons were produced in March 2024, while a total of 10 units were produced from January to March 2024, a decrease of 68.75 percent from the previous year.

In March 2024, 86,232 trucks were produced, a 25.66 percent decrease from March 2023, and a total of 259,064 units were produced from January to March 2024, down 21.08 percent compared to January to March 2023.

In March 2024, 83,210 one-ton pickups were produced, down 26.34 percent from March 2023, and a total of 250,250 units were produced from January to March 2024, representing 60.43 percent of total production, a decrease of 21.85 percent from the same period in 2023, classified as follows:

Standard pickups: 46,234 units, down 78 percent from January to March 2023; Double cab pickups: 161,029 units, down 13 percent from January to March 2023; PPV pickups: 42,987 units, a decline of 89 percent from January to March 2023.

For trucks under 5 tons and over 10 tons, 3,022 units were produced in March 2024, down 0.26 percent from March 2023, with a total of 8,814 units produced from January to March 2024, marking an increase of 9.94 percent from the same period in 2023.

Production for Export

In March 2024, 91,808 units were produced for export, accounting for 66.37 percent of total production, a decrease of 9.09 percent from March 2023. For January to March 2024, a total of 273,680 units were produced for export, representing 66.09 percent of total production, down 5.02 percent from the same period in 2023.

In March 2024, 28,719 units were produced for export in the passenger car segment, an increase of 10.97 percent from March 2023, while from January to March 2024, a total of 81,805 units were produced for export, making up 52.76 percent of total passenger car production, an increase of 4.06 percent from the same period in 2023.

For one-ton pickups in March 2024, 63,089 units were produced for export, down 16 percent from March 2023, with total production for export from January to March 2024 standing at 191,875 units, representing 76.67 percent of total one-ton pickup production, down 8.42 percent compared to the same period in 2023, classified as follows:

Standard pickups produced for export numbered 17,539 units, down 74 percent from January to March 2023; Double cab pickups totaled 138,206 units, down 87 percent from January to March 2023; PPV pickups accounted for 36,130 units, up 72 percent from January to March 2023.

Domestic Production

In March 2024, domestic production reached 46,523 units, or 33.63 percent of total production, down 41.01 percent from March 2023, while from January to March 2024 total domestic production stood at 140,443 units, representing 33.91 percent of total production, a decrease of 36.06 percent from January to March 2023.

Passenger cars produced for domestic sales in March 2024 totaled 23,380 units, a decline of 38.41 percent from March 2023, whereas from January to March 2024, a total of 73,244 units were produced, constituting 47.24 percent of total passenger car production, down 27.40 percent from January to March 2023.

For one-ton pickups, domestic production in March 2024 reached 20,121 units, a drop of 46.86 percent from March 2023. From January to March 2024, a total of 58,375 units were produced for domestic market accounting for 23.33 percent of total one-ton pickup production, down 47.28 percent from January to March 2023, classified as follows:

Standard pickups: 28,695 units, down 15 percent from January to March 2023; Double cab pickups: 22,823 units, a decrease of 71 percent from January to March 2023; PPV pickups: 6,857 units, down 16 percent from January to March 2023.

Motorcycles
In March 2024, motorcycle production totaled 219,434 units, a decrease of 4.05 percent from March 2023, consisting of complete built-up motorcycles (CBU) at 179,806 units, down 9.42 percent from 2023, and motorcycle components (CKD) at 39,628 units, an increase of 31.26 percent from the previous year.

The total number of motorcycles produced from January to March 2024 was 660,741 units, a decrease of 7.78 percent from the previous year, classified into CBU motorcycles at 533,398 units, down 8.14 percent from last year, and CKD components at 127,343 units, down 6.22 percent year-on-year.

Sales

Domestic car sales in March 2024 totaled 56,099 units, up 6.16 percent from February 2024, but down 29.83 percent compared to the same month last year. This decline is attributed to tightened credit approvals from financial institutions due to high household debt and a weak economy, compounded by delayed execution of the 2024 annual budget, which has hindered spending, investment, and government economic stimulus. It is anticipated that sales will improve in the latter half of the year as government spending, investment, and economic stimulus increase alongside private investments and tourism growth surpassing 33 million arrivals.

Of the sales, passenger cars and related vehicles totaled 30,894 units, accounting for 55.07 percent of overall sales, down 22.70 percent from the same month last year.

Passenger cars with ICE totaled 13,390 units, accounting for 87 percent of overall sales, down from 48.36 percent last year; BEV passenger and related vehicles numbered 4,615 units, reflecting 23 percent of total sales, down from 28.38 percent last year; PHEV totaled 201 units, accounting for 36 percent of sales, down 8.93 percent from last year; and HEV totaled 12,688 units, accounting for 62 percent of sales, reflecting a 70.24 percent increase from the previous year.

One-ton pickups totaled 16,212 units, down 45.27 percent compared to last year, while PPV sales totaled 3,436 units, down 46.68 percent compared to the previous year. Trucks between 5 to 10 tons totaled 1,582 units, down 38.87 percent from last year, and other vehicle sales totaled 3,975 units, up 200.45 percent from the same month last year.

In the motorcycle segment, total sales reached 149,938 units, up 4.37 percent from February 2024, yet down 18.72 percent compared to March 2023.

From January to March 2024, total car sales reached 163,756 units, a decrease of 24.56 percent from the same period last year, classified as follows:

Passenger cars and related models totaled 96,794 units, accounting for 59.11 percent of overall sales, down 8.23 percent from the previous year.

ICE passenger vehicles accounted for 41,058 units, 7 percent of total sales, down from 41.44 percent last year; BEV passenger vehicles numbered 19,131 units, 68 percent of total sales, an increase from 43.63 percent last year; PHEV totaled 563 units, 34 percent of sales, down from 22.24 percent last year; and HEV made up 36,042 units, 1 percent of total passenger car sales, a 69.08 percent increase from last year.

One-ton pickups numbered 46,611 units, down 44.01 percent from the previous year; PPV sales were 9,814 units, down 46.16 percent; trucks between 5 to 10 tons totaled 4,597 units, down 26.07 percent; and other vehicle sales reached 5,940 units, an increase of 51.80 percent from last year.

Motorcycle sales amounted to 447,604 units, down 11.64 percent from the previous year.

Exports
Complete Built-Up Cars

In March 2024, a total of 95,089 units were exported, a 7.18 percent increase from the previous month, but a 3.35 percent decrease from March 2023, composed of ICE vehicles totaling 90,201 units, down 7.76 percent year-on-year, and HEV exports numbering 4,888 units, up 728.47 percent from last year. Exports remain strong, supported by growing demand in partner countries such as Australia, the Philippines, the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. However, vigilance is needed regarding geopolitical conflicts that may impact automobile exports. The export value reached 67,926.07 million baht, an increase of 12 percent compared to March 2023.

Engines accounted for an export value of 2,401.43 million baht, down 79 percent from March 2023; other automotive parts totaled 14,534.36 million baht, a decrease of 21 percent; and automobile accessories valued at 2,102.11 million baht, down 14 percent. The combined value of automobile exports in March 2024, including engines, automotive parts, and accessories, totaled 86,963.98 million baht, an increase of 3.46 percent from March 2023.

From January to March 2024, 270,525 complete cars were exported, a decrease of 1.16 percent over the same period last year, classified as follows: ICE vehicles totaling 253,608 units, down 6.62 percent; HEV vehicles numbered 16,917 units, a 698.35 percent increase year-on-year, with an export value of 189,154.76 million baht, which is 12.51 percent higher than January to March 2023, detailed as follows:

Engines accounted for an export value of 6,863.27 million baht, down 27 percent from January to March 2023; other automotive parts registered an export value of 46,269.96 million baht, an increase of 36 percent; accessories accounted for 6,320.38 million baht, rising 1 percent year-on-year. The total export value from January to March 2024, including engines, automotive parts, and accessories, amounted to 248,608.37 million baht, an increase of 9.01 percent from the same period in 2023.

Motorcycles

In March 2024, 86,239 units (including CBU and CKD) were exported, representing a 1.89 percent increase from February 2024 and a 13.41 percent increase from March 2023, with an export value of 7,203.39 million baht, also up 9.14 percent from March 2023.

Motorcycle components had an export value totaling 70 million baht, down 30.78 percent from March 2023; motorcycle accessories amounted to 73 million baht, down 22.64 percent. The total export value related to motorcycles for the month of March 2024, including parts and accessories, was 7,575.82 million baht, reflecting an increase of 6.53 percent from March 2023.

From January to March 2024, the motorcycle export totaled 253,728 units (including CBU and CKD), a 5.19 percent increase from 2023, with an export value of 19,704.68 million baht, increasing by 1.07 percent compared to the previous year.

Motorcycle components accounted for an export value totaling 69 million baht, a decrease of 18.23 percent year-on-year; motorcycle accessories amounted to 81 million baht, down 12.99 percent year-on-year, resulting in total motorcycle export value from January to March 2024 of 20,858.18 million baht, a minimal decrease of 0.05 percent from the same period last year.

In March 2024, the aggregate value of exports of complete built-up vehicles, engines, other parts, automotive accessories, motorcycles, including components and accessories, totaled 94,539.80 million baht, an increase of 3.70 percent compared to the previous year.

From January to March 2024, the total export value of complete cars, engines, other parts, accessories, motorcycles, their components, and accessories reached 269,466.55 million baht, up by 8.25 percent from the previous year.

New Electric Vehicles (BEV) Registered in March 2024

In March 2024, the number of newly registered electric vehicles (BEV) totaled 7,436 units, a 15.59 percent decrease from the same month last year, classified as follows:

The total number of passenger and other types of vehicles amounted to 4,983 units, down 91 percent from March 2023, including 4,722 passenger cars; 247 vehicles for less than seven passengers; 1 vehicle for business services; and 13 taxis. Pickups and vans numbered 21 units, representing a 425 percent increase from March 2023, while three-wheeled taxis totaled 3 units, down 32 percent from March 2023; personal three-wheelers accounted for 3 units; and motorcycles numbered 2,366 units, up 55 percent from March 2023.

In January to March 2024, a cumulative total of 29,714 newly registered electric vehicles (BEV) was recorded, marking an increase of 41.15 percent from the same period last year, classified as follows:

Total passenger and other vehicles amounted to 22,186 units, up 70 percent from January to March 2023, including 21,574 passenger cars; 583 vehicles for less than seven passengers; 3 for business services; 23 for tourism services; and 3 rental vehicles. Pickups and vans amounted to 148 units, an increase of 86 percent compared to January to March 2023. Three-wheeled vehicles totaled 7 units, down 22 percent year-on-year; personal three-wheeled vehicles accounted for 7 units; while motorcycles totaled 7,206 units, increasing by 58 percent compared to the same period last year.

Overall, public buses numbered 46 units, down 46 percent from January to March 2023; trucks totaled 121 units, increasing by 175 percent compared to the same period last year.

New Electric Vehicles (HEV) Registered in March 2024

In March 2024, the number of newly registered hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) totaled 11,980 units, a 35.70 percent increase year-on-year, classified as follows:

The total passenger and other types of vehicles numbered 11,941 units, up by 22 percent compared to March 2023, including 11,929 passenger cars; 2 vehicles for less than seven passengers; and 2 for business services; 5 for tourism services; 3 rental vehicles. Motorcycles totaled 39 units, down 10 percent from March 2023.

In January to March 2024, the cumulative number of newly registered HEV vehicles reached 38,114 units, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 55.97 percent, further classified as:

The total number of passenger and other vehicles included 38,026 units, representing a year-on-year increase of 78 percent, including 37,984 passenger cars; 6 vehicles for less than seven passengers; 8 for business services; 25 for tourism services; and 3 rental vehicles.

Motorcycles totaled 88 units, a decline of 65 percent year-on-year.

New Electric Vehicles (PHEV) Registered in March 2024

In March 2024, the number of newly registered plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) reached 876 units, a 25.64 percent decrease from the same month last year, classified as:

The total number of passenger cars and other types amounted to 876 units, down 64 percent from March 2023, including 874 passenger cars; and 2 for tourism services.

From January to March 2024, the cumulative new registrations of PHEV vehicles amounted to 2,710 units, down 20.01 percent from the same period last year, divided as follows:

Passenger cars and various other types totaled 2,710 units, a 1 percent decrease from January to March 2023, comprising 2,708 passenger cars; and 2 for tourism services.

Cumulative Registered BEV Vehicles as of March 31, 2024

As of March 31, 2024, the total registered BEV vehicles amounted to 161,352 units, reflecting a 203.94 percent increase from the previous year. This includes:

Passenger vehicles and various other types comprised 111,841 units, up by 51 percent year-on-year, including 110,306 passenger cars, an increase of 97 percent; 1,164 passenger vehicles for fewer than 7 persons, up 78 percent year-on-year; 59 business service vehicles, an increase of 36 percent; 81 tourism vehicles, up 1,250 percent year-on-year; and 231 electronically-hired vehicles, an increase of 35 percent. Pickups and vans amounted to 430 units, a year-on-year increase of 15 percent; three-wheeled vehicles totaled 899 units, reflecting a 41 percent year-on-year increase; personal three-wheeled vehicles numbered 86, increasing by 36 percent year-on-year; while electronically-hired taxis amounted to 813 units, reflecting a 65 percent year-on-year increase. Motorcycles totaled 45,291 units, increasing by 46 percent from the same period last year, including personal motorcycles at 45,157 units, up 51 percent; and public motorcycles at 134 units, a 73 percent year-on-year increase.

Public buses totaled 2,466 units, reflecting a 35 percent increase from the same period last year; while trucks totaled 425 units, marking a 14 percent yearly increase.

Registered HEV Vehicles as of March 31, 2024

As of March 31, 2024, a total of 381,400 HEV vehicles had been registered, a 34.35 percent increase from the previous year, classified as follows:

Passenger and other vehicle types totaled 372,274 units, up by 48 percent from the same period in 2023, with passenger cars numbering 371,397 units, also up by 48 percent year-on-year. Taxis carrying passengers amounted to 482 units, increasing by 84 percent year-on-year; business service vehicles totaled 60 units, up by 55 percent; tourism vehicles reached 178 units, reflecting a 42 percent increase year-on-year; rental vehicles numbered 5, down from the previous year by 67 percent; and electronically-hired taxis totaled 152 units, a 22 percent increase from last year. One pickup and one van were recorded, maintaining the same figures as the previous year.

Motorcycles numbered 9,123 units, reflecting a 30 percent increase from the previous year. Public taxis accounted for 2 units, consistent with last year's figure.

Registered PHEV Vehicles as of March 31, 2024

As of March 31, 2024, the total registered PHEV vehicles amounted to 56,644 units, reflecting a 23.78 percent increase over the previous year, classified as follows:

The total of passenger and other types reached 56,644 units, showing a growth of 78 percent year-on-year, with passenger cars numbering 55,713 units, up 10 percent compared to the previous year; while business service vehicles totaled 41 units, marking a 50 percent increase year-on-year; tourism vehicles numbered 23 units, up 29 percent from the previous year; rental vehicles totalled 3, consistent with last year.

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