The recent sales report of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) shows that in July 2018, there were 21,466 units of automobiles sold, eight per cent lower than the previous month and four per cent lower than the same period of last year.
14,124 units were passenger cars, down nine per cent versus the previous month; 6,948 units were commercial vehicles, decreasing by four per cent; and 394 units were special-purpose vehicles, decreasing by up to 19 per cent.
Especially, the volume of complete knocked down (CKD) handed over to customers was 18,093 units, down six per cent versus last month and complete built-up (CBU) was 3,373 units, down 18 per cent versus last month.
In July 2018, Thaco continued to lead the market with 7,509 cars sold, accounting for nearly 38 per cent; followed by Toyota with 4,270, accounting for more than one fifth. However, compared with July of last year, sales of Thaco decreased six per cent while sales of Toyota remained the same.
Also in the same month, Honda sold 1,914 cars of all kinds, accounting for more than nine per cent of the market share; Ford sold 1,407 units, representing a market share of seven per cent.
In the first seven months of this year, the total industry is down four per cent versus last year; especially CKD volume was up 12 per cent and CBU was down 45 per cent.
Despite a drop in sales of July 2017, Thaco recorded a six per cent increase in automobile sales in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period of last year to reach a market share of 40.5 per cent, while Toyota's sales plunged by 12 percent to 23.4 per cent.
However, according to an industry source, Thaco's market share included both buses and trucks, in the meanwhile, market share of Toyota and other automobile firms didnot cover those kinds of cars. Without trucks and buses, Thaco accounted for 34 per cent only and Toyota made up 27.5 per cent market share, accordingly.
After enterprises overcame the obstacles faced in the Decree No.116 to import the first duty-free cars from Thailand to Vietnam in early this March and until the end of this July, two weeks after the first tax-free Indonesian automobiles were able to enter Vietnam, the presence of imported models like Fortuner or Land Cruiser has not been seen in Toyota's list of cars handed over to customers.
Although there are some sources saying that the brand has imported a large number of cars from Thailand and Indonesia with such models as Fortuner, Yaris, Hilux, Hiace, Wigo, Rush and Avanza, VAMA's sales reports released since March this year show that only CKD models like Camry, Corolla Altis, Vios and Innova have been sold.
