An imported car of Mercedes - Benz is being sold in Viet Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo

Imports of automobiles surged in August, with high volume from Thailand, Indonesia, and China, according to a report from the General Department of Customs.

The report showed more than 8,800 cars of various types were imported worth US$202 million, up by 85.6 per cent compared with the previous month.

Thailand had the highest volume with more than 4,700 units. It was followed by Indonesia with 2,500 cars and China with 570 cars. The automobiles from the three countries accounted for nearly 90 per cent of the country’s total imports.

Of the imports, the number of cars with nine seats or less were 6,136 units worth $127 million, accounting for 69.4 per cent of the total, an increase of 91.6 per cent month-on-month.

The import of trucks gained 2,200 units worth $55.7 million, up 167 per cent in volume, and 176 per cent in value. Meanwhile, special-purposed vehicles reached 483 cars worth $19.6 million.

Although August imports sharply increased, it could not raise the total volume of automobiles in January-August, which decreased by 44.3 per cent year-on-year to 53,800 units, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of which, cars with nine seats or less were 39,600 units, down 46.9 per cent, and trucks were 10,759 units, down 47.8 per cent. – VNS