ส.อ.ท. เผยยอดส่งออกรถยนต์ ธ.ค. ส่งท้ายปี 66 สูงสุดในรอบ 5 ปีFTI Reports December Automotive Exports Reaching Highest Levels in Five Years

On Monday, January 29, 2024, Mr. Supharat Sirisuwanangoon, Honorary Chairman of the Automotive Industry Group of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and Mr. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice Chairman and Spokesperson of the Automotive Industry Group of the FTI, revealed the production figures, domestic sales, and exports of cars and motorcycles in December 2023. A total of 133,621 cars were produced, a decrease of 15.75%. Domestic sales were at 68,326 units, down 17.48%, while exports totaled 90,305 units, a decrease of 19.09%. The sales of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) were 8,753 units, an increase of 239.92%. For the year 2023, total exports reached 1,117,539 units, the highest in five years.

Production

The total number of cars produced in December 2023 was 133,621 units, a decrease of 15.75% from December 2022 due to a 29.94% drop in domestic sales, particularly pickup trucks, which saw a 41.30% reduction. This was attributed to tightened approval processes for pickup truck loans, as household debt reached 90.6% of GDP. Additionally, the presence of imported electric vehicles in the domestic market, which registered 75,690 units, caused a 16.24% decrease in passenger car production. However, production for export in 2023 grew by 11.44%, in line with an 11.30% increase in export volume, exceeding levels seen in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, though it decreased by 18.19% from November 2023 due to fewer working days.

The total number of cars produced from January to December 2023 was 1,841,663 units, down 2.22% from the same period in 2022.

•    Passenger cars in December 2023 totaled 50,099 units, a decrease of 7.94% from December 2022, consisting of:

•    Internal Combustion Engine passenger cars: 35,086 units, a decrease of 45% from December 2022.

•    Battery Electric Vehicles: 6 units, with no production in December 2022.

•    Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: 216 units, down by 30% from December 2022.

•    Hybrid Electric Vehicles: 14,791 units, up 38% from December 2022.

The production of passenger cars from January to December 2023 totaled 648,803 units, accounting for 35.23% of total production, representing a 7.98% increase from January to December 2022. This includes:

•    Internal Combustion Engine passenger cars: 493,499 units, 87% lower than in December 2022.

•    Battery Electric Vehicles: 164 units, with no production during the same period last year.

•    Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: 8,990 units, a 25% increase from January to December 2022.

•    Hybrid Electric Vehicles: 146,150 units, a 62% increase from January to December 2022.

•    Buses under 10 tons and above 10 tons produced in December 2023 totaled 2 units, with no production during the same period in 2022. From January to December 2023, total production reached 118 units, a 145.83% increase from the previous year.

Trucks produced in December 2023 totaled 83,520 units, a decrease of 19.83% from December 2022, while total production from January to December 2023 was 1,192,742 units, down 7.01% from January to December 2022.

Pickup trucks produced in December 2023 totaled 80,489 units, a decrease of 21.37% from December 2022, and total production from January to December 2023 reached 1,155,267 units, accounting for 62.73% of total production, a 7.03% decrease compared to January to December 2022, which includes:

•    Pickup trucks: 204,919 units, down 50% from January to December 2022.

•    Double Cab pickups: 756,392 units, a 71% decrease from January to December 2022.

•    PPV pickups: 193,956 units, an 82% increase from January to December 2022.

Trucks under 5 tons and over 10 tons produced in December 2023 totaled 3,031 units, an increase of 66.36% from December 2022. Total production from January to December 2023 was 37,475 units, a 6.24% decrease compared to January to December 2022.

Production for Export

In December 2023, production for export reached 82,592 units, accounting for 61.81% of total production, down 3.70% from December 2022. For January to December 2023, production for export totaled 1,156,035 units, representing 62.77% of total production, an increase of 11.44% from 2022.

Passenger cars produced for export in December 2023 totaled 27,155 units, a 0.47% increase from December 2022, while production for export from January to December 2023 reached 333,195 units, accounting for 51.36% of total passenger car production, representing a 15.82% increase from January to December 2022.

Pickup trucks produced for export in December 2023 amounted to 55,437 units, a decrease of 5.62% from December 2022, while total production for export from January to December 2023 was 822,840 units, equivalent to 67.18% of total pickup truck production, an increase of 9.76% from January to December 2022, detailed as follows:

•    Cargo pickups: 78,054 units, a slight decrease from January to December 2022.

•    Double Cab pickups: 616,813 units, an 11% increase from January to December 2022.

•    PPV pickups: 127,973 units, a 3% increase from January to December 2022.

Domestically Produced Vehicles

In December 2023, production for domestic sales totaled 51,029 units, accounting for 38.19% of total production, a decrease of 29.94% from December 2022. Total production for domestic sales from January to December 2023 reached 685,628 units, or 37.23% of total production, down 18.98% from January to December 2022.

Passenger cars produced for domestic sales in December 2023 totaled 22,944 units, down 16.24% from December 2022; however, total production from January to December 2023 was 315,608 units, accounting for 48.64% of total passenger car production, a 0.78% increase compared to January to December 2022.

Pickup trucks produced for domestic sales in December 2023 totaled 25,052 units, a decrease of 42.57% from December 2022, while total production from January to December 2023 reached 332,427 units, which is 28.77% of total pickup truck production, a 32.57% decrease from January to December 2022, detailed as follows:

•    Cargo pickups: 126,865 units, a decrease of 30% from January to December 2022.

•    Double Cab pickups: 139,579 units, down 44% from January to December 2022.

•    PPV pickups: 65,983 units, a decrease of 78% from January to December 2022.

Motorcycles

In December 2023, a total of 201,128 motorcycles were produced, down 8.73% from December 2022, broken down into complete built units (CBU) totaling 164,528, a decrease of 8.84% from 2022, and component parts for motorcycles (CKD) totaling 36,600 units, down 8.27% from 2022.

The total production of motorcycles from January to December 2023 was 2,472,872 units, a decrease of 5.86% from 2022, consisting of 2,120,738 CBU, an increase of 5.20% from 2022, while CKD production was 352,134 units, a decrease of 42.35% from 2022.

Sales

Domestic sales of cars in December 2023 totaled 68,326 units, an increase of 10.88% from November 2023, but a decrease of 17.48% compared to the same month last year. This decrease is attributed to stricter approval processes for pickup truck loans due to high household debt burdens and a slowdown in the economy related to decreasing industrial output and exports. As a result, factories have reduced working hours and overtime, leading to wage cuts for workers. Coupled with high living costs and interest rates, consumers are left with insufficient funds for other expenditures. Furthermore, government investment and economic stimulation measures are on hold pending approval of the 2024 budget, which has been delayed for several months. The breakdown is as follows:

•    Passenger cars and utility vehicles totaled 39,500 units, accounting for 57.81% of total sales, an increase of 13.95% compared to the same month last year.

•    Passenger cars and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE): 17,555 units, accounting for 69% of total sales, a decrease from last year’s 31.58%.

•    Electric passenger cars (BEV): 8,753 units, accounting for 81% of total sales, an increase of 239.92% compared to the same month last year.

•    Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV): 107 units, accounting for 16% of total sales, a decrease of 80.33% from the same month last year.

•    Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV): 13,085 units, accounting for 15% of total sales, an increase of 122.27% compared to the same month last year.

Pickup trucks accounted for 19,543 units sold, a decrease of 44.94% when compared to the same month last year. The sales of PPVs stood at 4,480 units, a decrease of 42.79% from last year. Trucks between 5 and 10 tons saw sales of 3,312 units, an increase of 1.88% from the same month last year, while other categories totaled 1,491 units, down 4.55% from the same month last year.

Motorcycle sales totaled 132,377 units, down 7.51% from November 2023 and down 8.35% compared to December 2022, broken down as follows:

•    Internal combustion motorcycles (ICE): 132,365 units, accounting for 87%, a decrease of 8.26% from last year.

•    Hybrid motorcycles (HEV): 12 units, accounting for 1%, with no production during the same period last year.

From January to December 2023, total car sales reached 775,780 units, a decrease of 8.67% compared to the same period in 2022, broken down as follows:

• Passenger cars and utility vehicles: 406,995 units, accounting for 52.46% of total sales, an increase of 16.94% compared to the same period last year.
• Passenger cars and internal combustion vehicle (ICE): 238,570 units, accounting for 75% of total sales, a decrease compared to the same period last year’s 13.75%.
• Electric passenger cars (BEV): 73,568 units, accounting for 48% of total sales, an increase of 603.66% compared to the same period last year.
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV): 1,895 units, accounting for 24% of total sales, a decrease of 37.71% compared to last year.
• Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV): 92,962 units, accounting for 98% of all passenger car sales, an increase of 60.41% compared to the last year.
• Pickup trucks: 264,738 units, a decrease from last year’s 31.82%. PPV sales: 60,286 units, down 9.45% from last year. Trucks from 5 to 10 tons: 27,682 units sold, down 11.36% from last year. Other vehicle types: 16,079 units, an increase of 5.51% from last year.
• Motorcycle sales totaled 1,856,814 units, up 3.62% compared to January to December 2022, broken down as follows:
• Internal combustion motorcycles (ICE): 1,855,576 units, accounting for 93%, an increase of 3.62% from the same period last year.
• Electric motorcycles (BEV): 420 units, accounting for 2%, up 100% from last year.
• Hybrid motorcycles (HEV): 818 units, accounting for 4%, down 34.03% from last year.

Complete Vehicles Exports

In December 2023, 90,305 units were exported, a decrease of 9.34% from the previous month and a decrease of 19.09% from December 2022, broken down as follows: ICE vehicles: 87,390 units, an increase of 21.26% from last year. HEV exports reached 2,915 units, an increase of 366.40% from 2022, with an export value of 62,499.78 million baht, down 12.41% from December 2022.

•    Engines: export value of 2,805.83 million baht, a decrease of 40% from December 2022.

•    Other vehicle parts: export value of 16,858.60 million baht, an increase of 37% from December 2022.

•    Automotive parts: export value of 2,170.48 million baht, a decrease of 33% from December 2022.

The combined export value of vehicles, engines, automotive parts, and components in December 2023 amounted to 84,334.69 million baht, down 10.08% from December 2022.

From January to December 2023, 1,117,539 complete vehicles were exported, surpassing the pre-COVID export levels of 2019, representing the highest level in five years. This marks an 11.73% increase from 2022, resulting from increased automobile sales in most trading partner countries following ongoing economic expansion, while exports have increased across all markets except Africa. Breakdown includes ICE vehicles: 1,102,694 units, an 11.30% increase from 2022, and HEV: 14,845 units, a 56.02% increase from 2022. The export value reached 719,991.98 million baht, an increase of 15.25% from January to December 2022, with the following details:

•    Engines: export value of 38,653.23 million baht, down 80% from January to December 2022.

•    Other vehicle parts: export value of 189,489.99 million baht, down by 51% from January to December 2022.

•    Automotive parts: export value of 24,655.44 million baht, down 35% from January to December 2022.

The total export value for the months of January to December 2023, including complete vehicles, engines, automotive parts, and components, reached 972,790.64 million baht, representing an increase of 8.13% from January to December 2022.

Motorcycle Exports

In December 2023, a total of 76,573 motorcycles were exported (including CBU + CKD), up 0.56% from November 2023 but down 16.73% from December 2022, with a total value of 5,764.14 million baht, a decrease of 18.97% from December 2022.

•    Motorcycle component parts had a total export value of 13 million baht, down 39.92% from December 2022.

•    Motorcycle spare parts had a total export value of 56 million baht, down 10.25% from December 2022.

Overall, the total export value of motorcycles, components, and spare parts in December 2023 reached 6,069.83 million baht, down from December 2022 by 19.54%.

From January to December 2023, motorcycle exports totaled 822,608 units, down 20.51% from 2022, with a total value of 68,588.60 million baht, down 6.97% from 2022.

•    Motorcycle component parts had a total export value of 2,925.18 million baht, up 31% from 2022.

•    Motorcycle spare parts had a total export value of 1,896.59 million baht, down 2% from 2022.

The total export value of motorcycles, components, and spare parts from January to December 2023 reached 73,410.37 million baht, down 7.14% from January to December 2022.

In December 2023, the combined export value for complete vehicles, engines, other parts, automotive spare parts, motorcycles, components, and motorcycle spare parts totaled 90,404.52 million baht, a decrease from last year of 10.78%.

For the period from January to December 2023, the total export value for complete vehicles, engines, other parts, automotive spare parts, motorcycles, components, and motorcycle spare parts reached 1,046,201.01 million baht, an increase of 6.89% from 2022. For 2024, the automobile production target is set at 1,900,000 units, an increase of 3.17%.

The motorcycle production target is set at 2,120,000 units, a slight decrease of 0.03%.

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Mr. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice Chairman and Spokesperson of the Automotive Industry Group of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), disclosed production estimates for cars and motorcycles from FTI members in 2024, dividing into production for export and production for domestic sales, as follows:

Automobiles

The estimated production for automobiles in 2024 is approximately 1,900,000 units, an increase from 2023, which recorded 1,841,663 units, an increase of 3.17%. This includes an approximation of 1,150,000 units for export, accounting for 65% of total production, and 750,000 units for domestic sales, representing 35% of total production.

Production for export is expected to be 1,150,000 units, a decrease from 1,156,035 units in the previous year, a decline of 52%.

Positive factors include:

•    Thailand serves as a production base for pickup trucks, transporting goods and people for export to over one hundred countries, which may mitigate the impact from the economic slowdown.

•    China has reopened, which may lead to improvements in global trade and tourism, positively affecting exports of several countries, including Thailand.

•    The semiconductor parts shortage is easing, resulting in increased production for export.

•    Investments in electric vehicle production in Thailand may lead to exports of electric vehicles.

•    Incoming orders from trading partners such as the United States, Europe, and China are increasing, including potential markets such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

•    Interest rates may be on a downward trend, improving the global economy.

Negative factors include:

•    Global economic growth is slowing, and international conflicts may escalate affecting exports and potentially increasing inflation rates.

•    Intense competition exists both in domestic and international markets for similar products, with rising regional competitors.

•    Policies from neighboring countries could hinder exports, such as increased excise taxes on certain vehicles in Laos.

•    For domestic sales production, the target is set at 750,000 units, up from 685,628 units last year, an increase of 39%, with the following positive factors:

Positive factors include:

•    >The relocation of foreign investors’ production bases to Thailand is creating linked supply chains in the industry.

•    >Global demand for eco-friendly products is increasing due to regulatory changes and shifts in consumer behavior.

•    Production of electric vehicles is ramping up.

Negative factors include:

•    High household and public debt, along with rising living costs and interest rates, are negatively impacting consumer purchasing power, affecting sales in the real estate and automotive sectors, which have extensive supply chains, leading to employment declines and reduced incomes for workers.

•    The 2024 budget is delayed by about eight months, causing investment and economic stimulation measures to be postponed, resulting in sluggish private sector investment and employment growth.

•    Unforeseen natural disasters may impact agricultural yields and farmer incomes.

•    Escalating international conflicts will likely affect energy prices, commodities, and raw material costs.

•    Export volumes of various goods may decline due to a slowdown in the global economy, affecting production, investment, and employment levels as purchasing power decreases.

Motorcycles

The estimated production of motorcycles in 2024 is approximately 2,120,000 units, slightly less than the 2023 figure of 738 units, a decline of 0.03%. This includes around 420,000 units for export, accounting for 19.81% of total production, and about 1,700,000 units for domestic sales, representing 80.19% of total production.

Production for export is projected at 420,000 units, a 73% decrease from the previous year.

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Newly Registered BEVs in December 2023

In December 2023, newly registered electric vehicles (BEV) totaled 11,187 units, an increase of 317.43% compared to December of the previous year, broken down as follows:

•    Passenger and various types of vehicles totaled 9,232 units, an increase of 643.32% from December 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 9,138 units.

•    Passenger vehicles with a capacity of up to 7 people: 90 units.

•    Tourist cars: 4 units.

•    Pickups and vans: 40 units, an increase of 900% from December 2022.

•    Rickshaws: 43 units, an increase of 14% from December 2022.

•    Bicycle taxis: 42 units.

•    Public transport rickshaws: 1 unit.

•    Motorcycles totaled 1,847 units, down 39% from December 2022.

•    Personal motorcycles: 1,837 units.

•    Public motorcycles: 10 units.

•    Buses: totaling 7, down 91% from December 2022.

•    Trucks: totaling 18 units, an increase of 1,700% from last year.

From January to December 2023, newly registered electric vehicles (BEV) totaled 100,214 units, an increase of 381.77% compared to the same period last year, broken down as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 76,144 units, increasing by 55% from January to December 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 75,715 units.

•    Passenger vehicles with a capacity of up to 7 people: 395 units.

•    Business service vehicles: 12 units.

•    Tourist vehicles: 22 units.

•    Pickups and vans totaled 217 units, an increase of 33% compared to January to December 2022.

•    Rickshaws totaled 432 units, a 31% increase from January to December 2022.

•    Rickshaw taxis: 414 units.

•    Personal rickshaws: 18 units.

•    Motorcycles totaled 21,927 units, an increase of 15% from January to December 2022.

•    Personal motorcycles: 21,864 units.

•    Public motorcycles: 63 units.

•    Buses totaled 1,218 units, up 80% from January to December 2022.

•    Trucks totaled 276 units, an increase of 2,966.67% from January to December 2022.

Newly Registered HEVs in December 2023

In December 2023, new registrations of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) totaled 5,509 units, an increase of 34.43% from the same month last year, broken down as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 5,469 units, up 34% from December 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 5,462 units.

•    Business service vehicles: 2 units.

•    Tourist vehicles: 5 units.

•    Motorcycles totaled 40 units, an increase of 15% from December 2022.

•    Personal motorcycles: 40 units.

In the period from January to December 2023, new registrations of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) totaled 85,069 units, an increase of 32.85% from the previous year, detailed as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 84,476 units, an increase of 89% from January to December 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 84,366 units.

•    Passenger service vehicles up to 7 people: 16 units.

•    Business service vehicles: 24 units.

•    Tourist vehicles: 70 units.

•    Motorcycles totaled 593 units, up 25% from January to December 2022.

•    Personal motorcycles: 593 units.

Newly Registered PHEVs in December 2023

In December 2023, newly registered plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) totaled 535 units, a decrease of 21.21% from the same month last year, detailed as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 535 units, a decrease of 21% from December 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 535 units.

From January to December 2023, newly registered plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) totaled 11,703 units, up 3.28% from the previous year, with the following breakdown:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 11,703 units, an increase of 28% from January to December 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 11,692 units.

•    Business service vehicles: 6 units.

•    Tourist vehicles: 5 units.

Accumulated BEV Registrations as of December 31, 2023

As of December 31, 2023, the total number of accumulated BEV registrations was 131,849 units, increasing by 310.99% compared to the previous year, categorized as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 89,736 units, an increase of 48% from the same period in 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 88,886 units, up 69% from the same period in 2022.

•    Passenger service vehicles up to 7 people: 574 units, an increase of 32% from the same period in 2022.

•    Business service vehicles: 38 units, an increase of 86% from the same period in 2022.

•    Tourist vehicles: 39 units, an increase of 1,200% from the same period last year.

•    Electronically operated rickshaws: 199 units, up 1,709.09% from 2022.

•    Pickups and vans: 279 units, an increase of 19% from the same period last year.

•    Three-wheeled vehicles: 901 units, up 92% from the previous year.

•    Personal three-wheelers: 80 units, up 15% from the previous year.

•    Public three-wheelers: 821 units, up 87% from the same year.

•    Motorcycles: totaling 38,211 units, an increase of 2% from the previous year.

•    Personal motorcycles: 38,076 units.

•    Public motorcycles: 135 units, a decrease of 50% from the previous year.

•    Others

•    Buses: totaling 2,419 units, an increase of 59% from the previous year.

•    Trucks: totaling 303 units, an increase of 1,065.38% from the previous year.

Accumulated HEV Registrations as of December 31, 2023

As of December 31, 2023, the total number of accumulated HEV registrations was 343,604 units, up 32.25% from last year, detailed as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 334,499 units, up 38% from the same period in 2022.

•    Passenger cars: 333,675 units, up 39% from the same period in 2022.

•    Passenger service vehicles: 478 units, down 5% from the same period in 2022.

•    Business service vehicles: 51 units, up 14% from the same period in 2022.

•    Tourist vehicles: 155 units, an increase of 75% from the same period in 2022.

•    Rental cars: 2 units, unchanged from last year.

•    Electronically operated rickshaws: 138 units, an increase of 452% from the same period in 2022.

•    Pickups and vans: 1 unit, unchanged from the same period last year.

•    Motorcycles: totaling 9,102 units, an increase of 88% from the previous year.

•    Personal motorcycles: 9,102 units, an increase of 88% from the same period in 2022.

•    Others

•    Buses: totaling 2 units, unchanged from the same year.

Accumulated PHEV Registrations as of December 31, 2023

As of December 31, 2023, the total number of accumulated PHEVs reached 53,979 units, an increase of 27.26% from last year, broken down as follows:

•    Passenger vehicles and various types totaled 53,979 units, an increase of 26% from the previous year.

•    Passenger cars: 53,910 units, an increase of 29% from the previous year.

•    Business service vehicles: 41 units, up 50% from the previous year.

•    Tourist vehicles: 21 units, an increase of 5% from the previous year.

•    Rental vehicles: 3 units, unchanged from last year.

•    Electronically operated rickshaws: 4 units, with no registrations in the same period last year.

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