Sales of locally assembled automobiles in Vietnam fell 49 per cent year-on-year to 5,174 units in November, down more than 500 units from October, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA).
This was the third consecutive monthly decline in sales for local manufacturers. The November sales are the lowest monthly volume of 2008.
VAMA reports that in November, sales of multi-purpose vehicles decreased 48 per cent to nearly 1,290 units, while the number of passenger cars sold crashed a staggering 38 per cent to 1,356 units. The number of commercial vehicles sold was nearly 2,530 units but still down 54 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Toyota Vietnam saw a slight decrease in sales to nearly 1,470 units last month from 2,190 units a year ago, down 33 per cent. However, it still led the market in sales, keeping 28.3 per cent of the market.
Ford, Isuzu, Honda, Visuco (Suzuki), Vinastar (Mitsubishi), Vidamco (GM-Daewoo), VMC (Mazda, Kia), Mercedes-Benz and Mekong (Fiat, Ssangyong, PMC) all suffered a slump in sales last month.
Isuzu Vietnam sold 48 units, down 82 per cent year-on-year, Honda Vietnam just over 100 units, down 80 per cent, Vinastar (Mitsubishi) 156 units, down 62 per cent, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam 103 units, down 60 per cent and Ford Vietnam nearly 300 units, down 67 per cent.
Domestic automobile manufacturers, including Samco, Truong Hai and Vinamotor, witnessed the sharpest sales falls in November. Samco’s sales decreased by 85 units, from 91 units to 6 units, Vinacomin decreased by 34 units, from 50 units to 16 units and Truong Hai sold 707 units, down 49 per cent year-on-year.
With the sales of the three leading domestic manufacturers plunging, other domestic enterprises saw a considerable decline as well. Vinaxuki sold 317 units in November, down by 623 units compared to the same last year.
Most automakers have launched discount promotions to no avail.
German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz Vietnam (MBV) cut its price from 5 to 10 per cent this month and GM-Daewoo from 1.4 to 5.2 per cent.
MBV announced a special offer for December on Mercedes-Benz imported from an official channel. Customers can enjoy a 5 per cent discount on CLS, R-Class, M-Class, GL-Class and the world’s luxury sedan S-Class by making a deposit before December 31. MBV also offers a 10 per cent discount on new C-Class, including C200K Elegance, C200K Avantgarde and C230.
Despite the downtrend following new tax policies aimed at restricting a massive trade deficit and the global financial crisis, automakers are still splurging on showrooms and launching new models.
Sales by the 16 car makers operating in Vietnam in the first 11 months jumped 48 per cent from the same period in 2007 to a record 100,910 units.
Dealers had said demand would slow for the rest of the year after the government tripled registration fees to 15 per cent of the car’s purchase price in August.
Experts forecast that from now to the Lunar New Year, sales will increase as producers intensify sales promotions and agents cut commissions. (VnExpress)
Vietnamese
