Thailand Car Sales Rebound in March

Thailand’s domestic car sales climbed 7.29% year-on-year to 59,865 units in March 2026, marking a notable rebound from a 2.17% decline in the previous month, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The recovery was largely driven by robust demand for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Thailand’s automotive production increased 2.69% year-on-year to 133,413 units, slowing from a 3.43% gain in the previous month. The FTI remains cautiously optimistic, forecasting that total car production will grow by around 3% to 1.5 million units in 2026, following a slight contraction of 0.9% to 1.455 million units in 2025. External demand showed some weakness, with vehicle exports slipping 0.64% year-on-year to 80,394 units, highlighting ongoing global headwinds and softer demand in some overseas markets.

Thailand’s domestic car sales fell 2.17% year-on-year to a four-month low of 48,282 units in February 2026, reversing January’s 53.77% surge, according to the Federation of Thai Industries. This marked the first annual decline since March 2025, with Surapong Paisitpatanapong attributing the slowdown to subdued economic growth, tighter auto lending, delayed consumer purchases, and higher energy costs. He also pointed to escalating Middle East war, which have driven up oil prices, raising transport and insurance costs while weighing on global confidence. By segment, BEV sales dropped 18.56% to 6,168 units, while pickup trucks slipped 1.41% to 12,998 units, though signs of stabilization are emerging. Meanwhile, car production rose 3.43% year-on-year to 117,952 units, supported by exports and a modest pickup recovery. Thailand’s car exports were broadly flat at 81,195 units, with Middle East demand holding up but shipments facing delays due to security risks around the Strait of Hormuz.

Domestic car sales in Thailand jumped 53.77% year-on-year to 73,936 units in January 2026, following a 39.07% rise in December, according to the Federation of Thai Industries. The country’s car production went up 10.53% to 118,386, following an 8.56% increase in the previous month, supported by rising domestic sales and strong demand for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, car exports dropped 6.28%, reversing an 11.29% growth in December. Looking ahead, the federation projects car production to rise 3% to around 1.5 million units this year, after a 0.9% decline to 1.455 million units in 2025.