Viet Nam imported nearly 11,700 cars worth more than US$273 million in the first month of this year, marking the fifth consecutive month with a volume of at least 10,000 units, according to statistics from the General Department of Customs.

This figure is about 46 times higher than in January last year, which saw particularly low import numbers – just 246 cars – because many companies, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, Nissan and Mitsubishi, announced halts on imports after the Government issued Decree 116 on the conditions for production and assembly and requirements for warranty and maintenance services. These difficulties have since been resolved, allowing imports to resume.

GSO said that 67 per cent of vehicles imported in January were cars with nine seats or fewer. Trucks made up 30 per cent of vehicle imports and the remainders were cars with more than nine seats and special-purpose vehicles.

Thailand and Indonesia remained the largest car exporters to Viet Nam. Of the January imports, nearly 7,400 cars – 63 per cent – came from Thailand, worth $153 million.

According to Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the domestic market witnessed January sales of nearly 33,500 units, up 27 per cent versus the same period last year. Passenger cars led with nearly 27,400 units sold, followed by commercial vehicles with 5,755 units and special-purpose vehicles with 333. — VNS