Surprises in Automobile Market in August
According to statistics of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA), sales of local manufacturers in July 2005 saw a slight fall against that of June and stood at the same level with the same period last year. Sales of local automobile manufacturers saw a high increase in the first final. However, in July, 11 automobile joint ventures in Vietnam sold only 3,079 units, falling by six per cent against June and up by 33 units over the same period of 2004.
Makoto Sasagawa, chairman of VAMA, said that Toyota still occupied top spot in the local market in July with 29.5 per cent of the local market share. However, the company sold only 907 units in July, down by 465 against June.
With more flexible market strategies, in particular the launch of new automobile Ford Everest, Ford Vietnam made a breakthrough in its sales in July when selling 672 units, almost doubling June’s figures of 360 units. However, Ford Vietnam occupies only 21.8 per cent of the local market share, standing behind Toyota Vietnam. It was followed by Vinasta with 361 units, Vidamco with 340 units and Visuco with 266 units.
Mekong has moved up to ninth position, selling 35 units after marketing new product Pronto. Hino and Vidanco, selling 25 and 26 units, respectively, in July, ranked 10th and 11th. In seven months of 2005, the Vietnamese automobile manufacturers sold 19,214 units, up by 21.3 per cent against the same period last year, with five seated cars accounting for 38.8 per cent and six-15 seated cars, 34.7 per cent.
According to economic experts, Mekong will improve its position in August as the joint venture has marketed new products with suitable strategies. This will be a surprise of the local automobile market in August and year-end months of 2005.
Vietnamese
