Thailand Car Sales Rise 10.6% in May

Thailand’s domestic car sales climbed 17.3% year-on-year to a five-month high of 61,244 units in June 2026, accelerating from 10.6% in the previous month, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). It marked the fourth consecutive month of growth. Meanwhile, car production fell 7.6% from a year earlier to 120,391 units, easing from an 11.4% drop in May. The government is reviewing a 24 billion baht ($714 million) scheme to replace up to 80,000 ageing transport vehicles with EVs and is considering expanding incentives to cover all EV purchases, aiming to support the energy transition and revive the auto sector. Looking ahead, the FTI expects vehicle output to rise 3% to 1.5 million units in 2026 after slipping 0.9% to 1.455 million units last year. Thailand's exports surged 20.8% year-on-year in June, with shipments to the US, its largest export market, jumping 44.3%, while exports to China rose 4.9%.

Thailand’s domestic car sales surged 10.6% year-on-year to 57,765 in May 2026, accelerating sharply from 2.54% growth in the previous month, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). It was the third consecutive month of growth, boosted by sales of electric vehicles. Meanwhile, vehicle production plunged 17.94% from a year earlier to 114,214 units, largely due to disruptions in export markets stemming from the Middle East conflict. For the first five months of the year, production fell 1.13% from a year earlier to 587.759 units. However, the FTI maintained its 2026 production forecast, projecting total vehicle output to grow by 3.0% to 1.5 million units this year, after a 0.9% decline to 1.455 million units in 2025.

Thailand’s domestic car sales increased by 2.54% year-on-year to 48,392 units in April 2026, easing from 7.29% in the previous month, according to Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Despite the deceleration, April marked the second consecutive month of growth, supported in part by bookings generated at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which attracted orders totaling 48,394 units. Meanwhile, vehicle production slipped 0.44% from a year earlier to a near six-year low of 103,794 units, largely attributed to disruptions in export markets stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has driven up global energy prices and complicated shipping and logistics conditions. Nevertheless, the FTI maintained its 2026 production forecast, projecting total vehicle output to rise by 3% to 1.5 million units this year, following a 0.9% decline to 1.455 million units in 2025. External demand remained subdued, as vehicle exports fell 8.43% year-on-year to 60,190 units in April.