Vietnam‘s 2011 car sales drop 1pct year-on-year: VAMA

Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) has lately reported that its members' automobile sales in 2011 dropped 1 percent from 2010 to reach nearly 111,000 units.

The sharp decline of production in the context of economic hardships has led to a year-on-year decline of up to 15 percent for the segment of commercial vehicles, with more than 46,000 units in 2011. The multipurpose vehicle and sport car segment saw a decrease of 6 percent to nearly 23,000 units.

Truong Hai Automobile Joint Stock Co suddenly led the market with car sales at 31,800 units, higher than that of Toyota (29,800 units), VAMA said.

Thus, Toyota ranked at the second with 29,800 units, up 26.9 percent from 2010.

Truong Hai assembles vehicles including Korean Kias and buses.

Amongst remaining Vietnamese car markers, GM Vietnam posted the highest car sales with 10,300 units and followed by Ford with nearly 8,700 units and Vinaxuki with over 7,000 units.

The other firms reported the car sales of less than 4,000 units, including four enterprises sold only less than 1,000 units per year, even Vincomin with only 174 units.