Thailand auto production

Thailand's automobile industry is expected to
achieve its 2009 sales target as it sold more new vehicles for a third
consecutive month in November on the back of an improving economy and
higher demand from farmers, the local unit of Toyota Motor Corp.
(7203.TO) said Wednesday. With December historically the strongest month
for vehicle sales and as the economy continues to recover, the industry
is likely to meet its 2009 sales target of 520,000 units, the company
said in a statement. Sales rose 23.8% from a year earlier in November to
57,031 units, following an 8.8% gain in October, said Toyota, which
compiles figures for the industry. During the January to November
period, new car and truck sales fell 14.3% to 476,786 units. In November,
passenger car sales were up 32.3% to 24,054 units, it said. Toyota had
the largest market share of the segment at 41.7%, while Honda Motor Co.
(7267.TO) had 38.9%. Sales of commercial vehicles, including one-ton
pickup trucks, rose 18.2% to 32,977 units with Toyota grabbing 44.1% of
the market while Isuzu Motors Ltd. (7202.TO) had a 33.6% share, as
stronger agricultural product prices prompted farmers to buy or upgrade
their vehicles.