Many carmakers plan to introduce new models in August in a hope to spur on a revival in the downsizing market, local media said.
Ford Vietnam has revealed the launching of the five-door Ford Focus S. hatchback, becoming the first in the country to have a five-door sedans.
The 2.0L hatchback with various model toys, costing $38,100, is designed for dynamic youngsters.
The Ford Focus S, which was the Car of the Year in Thailand in 2005, is expected to make Ford Vietnam become the largest carmaker in Vietnam, toppling the current leader Toyota, a Ford Vietnam official said.
Hyundai Motor Vietnam Co., the authorized distributor for Hyundai sedans, will import three sedan models into Vietnam from South Korea in late July.
Mr. Ha Minh Tuan, director of Hyundai Motor Vietnam, said his company will bring in 2.0L and 2.7L Coupe sports vehicles, 2.7L Santa Fe SUV, with gasoline engines, and 2.7L Teracan SUV, with diesel engines.
The retail price for Coupe is estimated at $52,000-55,000 each, Santa Fe at $45,000-48,000 and Teracan at $48,000-52,000, Tuan added.
Luxury Hyundai sedans aimed at well-to-do families and successful youngsters will sell well in Vietnam, Tuan believed. The price of Hyundai sedans is equal to half the price of Mercedes-Benz and BMW in Vietnam, he explained.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese customers are longing for the introduction of the Honda Civic in August. The Vietnamese are very keen on Honda products.
Ms. Suzuki, deputy director of Honda Motor Vietnam, said the 8th generation Civic will conquer even the choosiest Vietnamese customers because of the quality of the made-in-Vietnam is the same as those made in the US.
In late August or early September, China’s Lifan Group will export cheap Lifan 520 sedans to Vietnam. The Chinese motorbike and automobile producer is cooperating with Bao Toan Co. and Mekong Auto Saigon Co. to assemble Lifan 520 sedans in Vietnam.
The targeted customers of Lifan are taxi firms, vehicle-hiring enterprises, travel firms and others.
In the meantime, according to market experts, the inflow of imported used passenger cars will be stronger in August after several months of testing the reactions of customers.
In spite of high prices from high taxes, all imported secondhand cars have been sold out immediately after customs clearance.
According to the on-line newspaper VietnamNet, Song Nguyen Tourism and Trade Co. has imported 11 luxury sedans, including 3.5L Nissan Infinity, Honda Acura, Mercedes S500 and 5.5L Mercedes 55 AMG, into Haiphong Port and is waiting for customs clearance.
Several enterprises have arrived in South Korea to seek sources of cheap secondhand sedans for the Vietnamese market.
According to VietnamNet, the favorite modes are Daewoo Matiz and Kia Morning. Previously, four imported Matiz and Morning, priced under $13,000 after taxes, were sold out immediately after port customs clearance.
Mr. Nguyen Van Can, deputy general director of Tax Examination Department of the General Department of Taxation, said Vietnamese enterprises are seeking sedans with engine sizes from 1.0L to 5.0L because the tax rates on these vehicle are low.
According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), car sales by its 15 member companies, which dominate the Vietnamese car industry, fell 19 per cent to 12,156 units in the first five months of this year.
At the same time, Vietnamese enterprises spent $121 million to import 8,200 automobiles between January and May, down 1.1 per cent on year. However, there were only 10 used passenger cars.
VietNamNet
Vietnamese
