BANGKOK: Domestic car sales in Thailand in March rose 9.1% from a year earlier to 87,245 units, helped by improved economic activity following an easing of coronavirus curbs and relief measures, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

       Higher-than-expected bookings during a motor show held in Bangkok between late March and early April were also a boost, Surapong Paisitpattanapong, a spokesperson for FTI’s automotive industry division, told a news conference.

       In the first quarter of 2022, car sales jumped 19.1% from a year earlier to 231,189 vehicles, he said. “Given a very strong first quarter, there is a high chance that car sales will reach 900,000 units this year, exceeding our target,” he said.

       Earlier, the FTI forecast domestic car sales of 800,000 to 850,000 vehicles and exports of 950,000 to one million cars.

       Thailand is a regional vehicle production and export base for the world’s top carmakers, including Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi.

       The industry accounts for about 10% of Thailand’s gross domestic product and its manufacturing jobs.

       However, exports of cars dropped by 10.2% year-on-year to 93,840 vehicles in March and fell by 5.8% to 243,124 units in the January-March period, due partly to a shortage of microchips for some car models, Surapong said. — Reuters