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Fuel-efficient cars top July’s auto sales
Rising fuel prices have accelerated the sales of fuel-saving passenger cars, which were up by 60 percent year on year to 2,237 being sold in July, bringing the total sales of Vietnam’s eleven car makers to 8,458, a 31 percent rise over the same period last year, an industry group reported on August 11.
According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufactures’ Association (VAMA), which represents the country’s 17 leading auto makers, the cost of fuel was also slowing down the growth of fuel-thirsty car sales, such as sports utility vehicles (SUV), multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) and commercial vehicles, which once led the overall sales.
SUV/MPV and commercial vehicles registered only of 20 percent and 24 percent growth rate in July with 2,237 and 3,955 being sold, respectively said the association.
Passenger car specialists Toyota retained top position, as it has for several years, selling 2,431 cars, up 37 percent year on year and accounting for 28 percent of the market share.
Toyota’s growth is led by its seven-seat Innova, which scored record sales of 1,523 sold last month, followed by the five-seat Vios with 443 being sold.
Truck and bus expert Vinamotor sold only 1,265 in July, accounting for 15 percent of the market share, followed by rivals Truong Hai, with 1,008 and a share of 11 percent.
Honda has ousted Vidamco to drive into fourth position, thanks to outstanding sales of the Civic sedan, its only model, selling 746.
Meanwhile, overall auto sales in the January-July period have registered an outstanding growth rate of 120 percent or 77,067 cars.
However, auto sales were down 13 percent from June to July after the government raised several taxes in a bid to curb imports.
While Toyota and Honda this month raised the prices of their vehicles, blaming the price hikes on input costs, Mercedes Benz and Ford reduced their prices.
Toyota Vietnam announced a price increase on their vehicles of between US$100 to US$1,000 per car across all models, with the retail price of the Toyota Camry 2.4 and 3.5, one of the company’s best selling models, rising to US$51,000 and US$67,600 respectively.
The Toyota Innova increased by US$500 to US$30,600. This is the second time Toyota Vietnam have increased their prices this year.
Meanwhile, Mercedes Benz Vietnam, who regularly offer discounts before the annual motorshow, which will begin next Thursday, reduced prices on its fleet of vehicles by US$1,000 and more, with the C200 Advantgarde model seeing the biggest price cut of US$4,900.
Ford Vietnam, the second American auto maker in Vietnam after GMs Deawoo, cut its prices by US$1,000 for its Focus sedan and by US$250 on all of its other models including the Everest, Escape, Kanger and Transit.
VOV
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