Thailand's auto production in 2019 to remain exceeding 2m units

BANGKOK, January 23 (TNA) - The Automotive Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has set its target for the country's production of overall vehicles in 2019 at 2.15 million units. FTI Vice Chairman Surapong Paisitpattanapong, in his capacity as the Spokesman of the Automotive Industry Club, told journalists on Wednesday the targeted figure remains exceeding 2 million units although it represents a 0.82 per cent year-on-year drop due to impacts from the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. The spokesman stated that about 1.2 million units of locally-produced vehicles should be for exports, while the remaining 1.05 million units should be for sale on the domestic market, a 2.44 per cent year-on-year increase. According to the spokesman, the overall sale of vehicles on the domestic market in 2018 exceeded 1.04 million units, a 19.5 per cent year-on-year increase and its highest level in five years, although the domestic sale of motorcycles alone in 2018 dropped by about 1.2 per cent year-on-year. The spokesman cited the introduction of new car models by manufacturers, last month's Motor Expo and the growing national economy, stimulated by expanding investment projects by both the Thai government and the private sector and the domestic tourism, as well as the administration's welfare programs for local farmers and low imcome earners as the positive factors to boost the overall sale of vehicles on the domestic market in 2018. (TNA)