Domestic sales rise as BEVs continue to grow
Domestic vehicle sales from January to April 2026 reached 230,477 units, up 15.02% from the same period last year.
Pickup sales fell 5.84% to 48,324 units, while sales of passenger cars and sport utility vehicles rose 23.91% to 157,099 units.
Of that total, BEV sales reached 64,109 units, up 90.61%, while hybrid vehicle sales rose 24.76% to 51,434 units.
April sales drop from March as risks weigh on buyers
Surapong Paisitpattanapong, adviser to the chairman of the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club and the club’s spokesman, said domestic vehicle sales in April 2026 totalled 48,394 units. The figure was down 19.16% from March 2026, although it was still 2.54% higher than in April last year.
He said investment and employment remained worrying, weakening consumers’ purchasing power. The global economy also continued to face risks from international conflicts and trade wars.
However, he said Thailand’s 2.8% economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, together with projects approved by the Board of Investment, could help create jobs and support stronger economic growth if investment is realised this year.
The government’s 400-billion-baht borrowing plan could also support the economy by reducing energy imports and increasing investment, which would help generate more employment in Thailand, he added.
Surapong said one of the most worrying negative factors was the request by some suppliers to raise prices for various automotive parts, citing the impact of the war in the Middle East.
Higher parts costs could further undermine vehicle sales and production, he warned.