Car sales up in March

Car sales recovered in March after three months’ decline, according to the Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA).

Total sales by VAMA members reached 9,513 units in March, an increase of 1,624 units against February and a 1 per cent increase over the same period last year, said VAMA representative Pham Anh Tuan.

In the first quarter of this year, sales reached 27,896 units, a surge of 30 per cent against the same period last year. Of this, sales of commercial vehicles surged 16 per cent, multi-purpose vehicles 34 per cent and sedans 47 per cent.

This recovery in the domestic car market reflects a positive outlook by consumers after a period of price increases, Tuan said. It was also due to a great demand for commercial vehicles.

Total sales of commercial vehicles reached 4,648 units in March, an increase of 1,125 units over February.

Car dealers said that the growth of commercial vehicle sales in March was as usual because transport companies continued to buy after Tet.

In March, domestic auto maker Truong Hai had the largest output of 3,085 units but Toyota was still had the largest sales – 2,357 units, said Tuan.