DJ Vietnam March New Vehicle Sales Nearly Triple On Year

HANOI, Apr 07, 2008 (Dow Jones Commodities News Select via Comtex) -- -- Sales of new vehicles in Vietnam nearly tripled on year in March, rising for the 20th consecutive month.

Sales of new cars, trucks and buses - including exports and locally produced vehicles - surged to 13,091 units last month from 4,469 a year earlier, shows figures released Tuesday by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

On month, sales were up 46.8%.

"Sales continued to be strong because the economy was going well and more than 10,000 new companies were established each month in the country so far this year," said analyst Le Van Tam with Hanoi Automobile Trading Co.

According to government data issued recently, Vietnam imported 15,000 fully assembled vehicles valued at $293 million in the first three months of this year, compared with 2,200 vehicles valued at $49 million in the same period of last year.

Imports of vehicles and parts were worth a combined $614 million in January and March, up from $145 million a year earlier.

The following is a breakdown of total new automobile sales for the first two months of this year:

Jan-Mar 2008 % On Yr Toyota 5,631 +61 VMC (including BMW, Mazda and Kia) 189 -17 Vina Star (incl. Mitsubishi and Proton) 1,025 +30 GM Daewoo 3,064 +175 Ford 2,250 +115 Mercedes 530 +89 Isuzu 1,105 +121 Mekong (incl. Fiat, Iveco and S-Young) 687 +304 Visuco (Suzuki) 810 +95 Hino 559 +191 Samco 237 +122 Truong Hai 5,476 +219 Vinacomin 145 +237 Vinaxuki 3,152 +219 Honda 1,525 +66 Vinamotor 7,710 N.A. Total 34,095 +180

-By Nguyen Pham Muoi, Dow Jones Newswires; 844-8250732; phammuoi.nguyen@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-07-08 2335ET

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index