Motorbike imports soar in January

Imports of motorbikes in Vietnam reached an all-time high of 16,599 units worth US$27.78 million in January.

According to the General Customs Office the figures showed an increase of 106 percent and 139.8 percent in terms of volume and value over the previous month.

An imported motorbike cost an average US$1,700.

As many as 9,857 motorbikes were imported from Italy, 4,950 from Thailand and 1,660 from China.

According to the related agencies, the hike in motorbike imports was not caused by an increased demand, but actually by enterprises who raised rates when they learnt of an impending hike in foreign exchange rates to avoid any shortfall.

Vietnam also imported 6,117 automobiles worth US$102.76 million in January, showing a decrease of 7.2 percent and 10.7 percent in terms of volume and value over the previous month.

The import turnover of car parts dropped to US$165 million, a decrease of 14.2 percent since last December.