The Vietnamese automobile market persisted with a sideways trend in April 2011 as economic difficulties had not ended. Remarkably, after two straight months taking the lead in sales, Truong Hai Auto officially overtook Toyota Vietnam to become the largest carmaker in the country in the year to date.
Unlike saddened sharp changes on the imported automobile segment, the domestic market continued to move sideways in the latest two months after two first months of sharp surge in sales. According to the latest data released by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) on May 10, its member companies sold 9409 vehicles in April, down 3 percent year on year.
This decline was mainly attributed to weak sales of commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) with over 4,000 units, down to 23 percent year on year, although sales of multipurpose vehicles (MPV) and personnel cars soared 18 percent and 32 percent to nearly 2,000 units and over 3,000 units in April, respectively.
While the automobile market faded away, Truong Hai Auto enjoyed the limelight. In April, the carmaker impressively maintained its top place with 3,104 vehicles, up 16 percent over the same period last year, while Toyota Vietnam was the runner-up with 2,553 units sold. With 10,329 units sold in the first four months of 2011, Truong Hai officially defeated Toyota Vietnam (with 10,190 units) to become the top carmaker.
The rise of domestic carmakers envisages a strong competition with foreign-led producers although they focus on their own strong products.
Last month, Vidamco reported to sell 1,052 units, representing a year on year increase of 50 percent. Other automakers had less than 1,000 units sold last month. Vinaxuki sold 700 vehicles, Ford retailed more than 500 units and Visuco (Suzuki) vended 400 units. Honda’s sales were volatile. After a surge of nearly 50 percent a month earlier, its sales dropped 30 percent in April to 193 units, including Civic, CR-V and imported Accord models.
VAMA members sold a total of 37,305 cars in the first four months, up 20 percent over the same period in 2010.
Vietnamese
