Thailand Car Production Drops 16.19% in May Amidst Economic Slowdown and EV Readiness Concerns
Thailand's vehicle production in May 2024 reached 126,161 units, a 16.19% decline from last year. The decrease is attributed to subdued domestic sales, sluggish economic growth, and ongoing challenges in EV production. Despite the year-on-year drop, production in May showed a 20.54% increase compared to April 2024.
June 25, 2024 - Mr. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice-Chairman and the spokesman for the Automotive Industry Group, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), in the press conference, revealed the total production for all vehicles in May 2024.
Total car production
The total number of cars produced in May 2024 was 126,161 units, reflecting a 16.19% decline from May 2023. Domestic pickup truck production witnessed a 54.66% drop, while domestic passenger car production decreased by 14.35%. These declines are attributed to subdued domestic sales, sluggish economic growth, and ongoing challenges in EV production. Despite the year-on-year decrease, output in May 2024 showed a 20.54% increase compared to April 2024.
Total production of 126,161 vehicles in May 2024, composed of:
- Passenger cars: 46,951 units, 7.74% decrease (YoY)
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): 29,935 units, down 24.70%
- Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): 865 units, an increase of 7,763.64%
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): 797 units, showing a 15.12% decrease
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): 15,354 units, marking a 50.71% increase (YoY)
- Buses under 10 tons and over 10 tons were not produced in May 2024. From January to May 2024, a total of 10 units were produced, a decrease of 83.87% compared to last year.
- Trucks: 79,210 units, down 20.49% (YoY)
- 1 Ton Pickup trucks: 78,319 units, down 19.05% (YoY)
- Pickup truck less than 5 tons – over 10 tons: 891 units, declined 69.03% (YoY)
Car production for export
In May 2024, the car production for export totaled 88,808 units, representing 70.39% of the total production, an decrease of 1% (YoY)
- Passenger cars produced for export totaled 25,284 units, an decrease of 1.21% (YoY)
- One-ton pickup truck for export at 63,524 units, down 0.92% (YoY)
Car production for domestic use
In May 2024, there were 37,353 units produced for domestic use, representing 29.61% of the whole production, as well as a decrease of 38.57% (YoY)
- The production of passenger cars for domestic sales was 21,667 units, a decrease of 14.35% (YoY)
- One-ton pickup truck at 14,795 units, 54.66% decrease (YoY)