Thailand April vehicle exports fall on Japan quake

Thailand’s vehicle production and exports declined in April due to cutbacks by major car makers after Japan’s massive earthquake disrupted flows of crucial parts supplies from Japan, the Federation of Thai Industries said Thursday.

Vehicle production fell 15.2 percent in April from a year earlier and was down 48.2 percent from the previous month at 89,179 units, the federation said in a statement.

Exports declined 8.7 percent from a year earlier and 39.1 percent from the month before to 52,191 units, the federation said.

However, in the January-April period, vehicle output rose 14.4 percent from a year earlier to 558,160 units, while exports climbed 4.7 percent to 286,598 units.

The value of car, truck and bus exports–including detached engines and automotive parts–fell 4.7 percent in April from a year earlier to THB36.34 billion ($1.20 billion). The export value for the January-April period increased 4.1 percent from a year earlier to THB186.71 billion.

If motorcycles and motorcycle parts are included, the total value of exports was THB39.44 billion in April, down 3.2 percent from a year earlier. Such exports during the January-April period were up 5.7 percent at THB201.32 billion.

The federation forecast vehicle production will reach 453,702 units in the May-July period, up 6.3 percent from a year earlier and 10.1 percent from the three months to April.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/thailand-april-vehicle-exports-fall-on-japan-quake-2011-05-19

 

Category: Thailand