ASEAN automotive industry growth quickens in Jan. (Sabong News)
Author
Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Date
MARCH 21 2022
Motor vehicle sales in ASEAN quickened in the first month of 2022 rising 24.8 percent while production also rose 14.5 percent compared with January 2021, the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF) reported.
The AAF data showed that motor vehicle sales in major ASEAN markets reached 250,627 units in January this year from 200,776 units sold in Jan. 2021 or a growth of 24.8 percent.
Indonesia, the region’s largest market, grew by a hefty 58.9 percent to 84,098 units from 52,909 units in the same month last year. Thailand, ASEAN’s motor vehicle production hub, grew by 25.8 percent to 69,455 units from 55,208 units in January 2021. Malaysia’s sales also rose 21.5 percent to 40,581 units from 33,392 units in the same month in 2021. Vietnam’s sales also improved by an encouraging 16.3 percent to 30,742 units from 26,432 units.
Laggards in the region include Philippines, down by 10.7 percent with sales of only 20,879 units from 23,380 units in January 2021, Singapore declined by 45.7 percent to 3,747 units, and Myanmar substantially reduced sales by 56 percent with sales of 1,125 units.
In terms of motor production, the AAF data showed the region produced a total of 332,263 units or 14.5 percent more than the 290,267 units in January 2021.
Indonesia was a frontrunner with 48.1 percent increase in output to 113,004 units from 76,319 units followed by Malaysia with 8.3 percent increase to 42,961 units from 39,666 units, and Thailand with a modest growth of 2.5 percent but the largest output of 151,747 from 148,118 units in the same period last year.
The Philippines was able to produce 5,543 units only, down 8.7 percent from 6,074 units in January 2021 while Vietnam slowed down by 4.6 percent to 18,405 units from 19,284 units. Myanmar was able to assembler 603 units or 25.2 percent lower than the 806 units sold in January last year.
AAF also reported that motorcycle sales in the region slowed down by 3.6 percent to 303,611 units in January 2022 from 314,947 units in January last year. Philippines posted a negative 8 percent growth to 115,698 units from 125,733 units in January last year. Likewise, Malaysia was down 20.4 percent to 41,868 units from 52,600 units while Singapore was also down t 950 units from 973 units. Thailand posted a positive 7 percent growth to 145,095 units form 135,641 units.
Similarly, production of motorcycles and scooters in the region declined by 3.6 percent to 292,622 units from 303,704 units in January last year.
Thailand reported total production for the month of 169,171 units, 2 percent higher than the 165,874 units in 2021. Philippines churned out 79,651 units or 8.8 percent lower than the 87,289 units in January 2021. Malaysia was able to produce 43,800 units or 13.3 percent slower against 50,541 units in the same month in 2021.
