Sale of cars in April was reportedly down 18 per cent to touch 21,942 units in comparison with the previous month.

This was despite carmakers and businesses launching several promotional programmes and lowering prices to accelerate consumption.

In particular, sales of special-purpose vehicles and passenger cars fell by six per cent and 36 per cent, respectively, to 1,675 units and 10,705 units. Meanwhile, the sale of commercial cars rose 15 per cent to 1,562 units.

According to a report issued by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association on Monday, the market saw a decline in both locally-assembled and imported cars, which decreased by 10 per cent and 35 per cent to 16,453 units and 5,489 units, respectively.

Insiders said the fall in the April sale of cars was understandable because many consumers were delaying their plan to buy new cars until early 2018 when import tax on cars from ASEAN countries became zero per cent. Once the new regulation came into effect, they would not only enjoy lower prices but also have a selection of more imported cars to choose from. — VNS