Nissan leads sales at Motor Expo
Published: 14/12/2011 at 12:00
AMNewspaper section: Business
The 28th Thailand International Motor Expo ended successfully with an impressive number of car bookings and visitors, proof that the massive flooding did not have any effect.
The 12-day event held at Impact Muang Thong Thani ended on Monday.
Nissan was the best-selling brand with 4,711 bookings for a 17.4% share.
The two other major brands _ Toyota and Honda _ took no bookings.
Pickup trucks were the hottest products, with bookings rising by 10% from last year's fair.
Sales in other categories including passenger cars dropped as expected, as these car segments proved less useful during the flooding.
The pickup truck segment was also in the spotlight thanks to several all new models this year.
"We regard this year's fair as rather successful. Previously, we feared the deluge would scare off visitors," said Mr Kwanchai Paphatphong, the organising chairman.
A total of 27,021 vehicles were booked, 8.1% above the target of 25,000.
Revenue of 29.5 billion baht was taken in including for used vehicles, car accessories and audio-visual equipment.
The number of visitors also reached 1.3 million, exceeding the target of 1.2 million.
Trailing behind Nissan in bookings were Mazda (4,523 units for a 16.7% share), Ford (3,495 units or 12.9%), Isuzu (3,323 units or 12.3%) and Mitsubishi (3,246 units or 12%).
Toyota did not take any customer orders at the motor expo this year, as it was unsure when it could make delivery.
However, the carmaker did offer a full range of car repair and maintenance services at the fair to help flood victims' damaged vehicles.
Honda, whose Ayutthaya factories were completely inundated and remain closed, did take orders but told buyers that a delivery date could not be given.
Mr Kwanchai also expressed satisfaction with luxury car bookings. BMW took 439 bookings and Mercedes-Benz 385. Motorcycle bookings reached 251 units, with the premium Ducati marque leading at 124.
Source : http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/270671/nissan-leads-sales-at-motor-expo