Vietnam’s top five automobile performers of 2009

The total turnover of all the 16 members of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) in 2009 showed a shared growth rate of seven percent in comparison with 2008.

Statistics provided by VAMA showed that there were two distinct groups. While the first showed sharp falls in 2009, the other saw an equally sharp increase ifor the same period.

Seven out of 16 enterprises saw turnovers decrease by between 11and 62 percent. Meanwhile nine automobile manufacturers obtained positive growth rates, two had only a one digit growth rate, with another on three percent and one at eight percent. The other seven manufacturers obtained impressive growth rates of between 22 and 60 percent.

Here are the manufacturers who have the highest growth rates in 2009, according to VnExpress.

Mercedes Benz: 60 percent

The strong growth of Mercedes Benz last year was the most impressive with the luxury car manufacturer not only obtained the highest growth rate in 2009, but also exceeded its own 2008 growth rate by 10 percent

Mercedes Benz’s fast growth is really taking the eye among manufacturers. It’s 60 percent growth rate has huge significance when taking into account their relative luxury and their one billion dong price tags.

VMC: 50 percent

Though VMC ranks second to Mercedes Benz in growth rate in 2009, the name VMC has not appeared much in discussions of car dealers and manufacturers. It is because VMC’s growth has been obtained thanks to the appearance of the new brand Chery from China, not because of production achievements.

The number of Chery brand cars sold in 2009 brought a half the total revenue of the manufacturer..

GM Daewoo (Vidamco)

Though enjoying a high turnover growth rate in 2009, analysts say this should be more of a concern than a joy. In 2008, the automobile manufacturer obtained an impressive 46 percent growth rate over 2007. Therefore, the 29 percent growth rate in 2009 should be seen as a step back.

In 2008, the Captiva model brought big success to GM Daewoo. However, the golden age of the model did not return in 2009.

Ford: 28 percent

2009 was the third consecutive year when the automobile manufacturer obtained considerable growth rate.

In 2009, Ford sold 8,286 cars, the highest ever number, an increase of 28 percent in comparison with 2008.

Ford was one of the four car brand names which obtained high grades in the survey on sales satisfaction index (SSI) conducted for the first time in Vietnam by JD Power & Associates.

Vinastar (Mitsubishi): 25 percent

Though ranking the fifth among the car manufacturers with the highest growth rates, Vinastar’s achievements were considerable, especially if noting that in 2008, the manufacturer’s growth rate was minus 36 percent

Vinastar does not have any outstanding models, but all its models have seen satisfactory sales in 2009.