Oxford, UK — Car sales in the Asean trading area in June were 180,000 units. This is a rise of 6% compared with the same month last year.
Looking at the year-to-date numbers, sales were 1.2m units across the trading block. That is according to LMC Automotive, which supplied the figures.
Indonesian sales were flat in June 2019, compared with June 2018. Overall, in the first half of 2019, light vehicle sales in Indonesia are lower, by 12%, than in 2018. Post-election protests in Jakarta and Ramadan, which fell in May this year disrupted the market. But, in June, the market reverted to growth. It expanded by 2.5% year on year, according to LMC Automotive. The consultants said that this is likely to have carried over into June. The country's GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show took place during the month.
Meanwhile, sales in Malaysia shrank by 33.0% in June 2019, compared with June 2018. The downturn was due to a high base effect in 2018, when the government implemented a three-month tax holiday between June and August 2018. The Government used the period to change the tax regime, but the cut led to a rush of customers buying new vehicles. Looking at the year-to-date, sales in Indonesia are at 270 ,000 units. This is an advance of 4.0% compared with the same period in 2018
Sales in Thailand fell by 3.0% in June 2019, compared with June 2018. The Thai market has been slowing through the second quarter, said LMC Automotive. This is because of a decline in eco-car demand; sluggish Pickup Truck sales; tighter loan conditions; and the weak economic environment, said the consultants.
In June sales in the Philippines advanced by 14.0% in June 2019, compared with June 2018.
The LV market in the Philippines expanded by 3% in the year to June, with increases in both the both personal and light commercial vehicle sales.
Sales in Vietnam rose by 36.0% in June 2019, compared with June 2018. Car demand leapt 42.2% year on year in the first six months of 2019. This is was driven by strong economic growth, in particular high FDI inflow and a buoyant export sector.
