Thailand Full Year 2016: Toyota Hilux snaps last minute 11th straight win

The Toyota Hilux saves its #1 spot by the tiniest of margins in 2016. 

* See the Top 40 All-brands and Top 70 models by clicking on the title *

Consult 13 years worth of Thailand Historical Data here

Although down for the fourth straight year, the Thai new car market has somewhat stabilised in 2016 with a restrained 4% drop to 768.788 registrations. Sales were up in April, May, June, August and September. Market leader Toyota falls faster than the market at -8%, resulting in a reduced 31.8% market share, still head and shoulders above the competition though. Isuzu slides just 1% to increase its share to 18.6%, distancing Honda (-4%), Mitsubishi (-7%) and Nissan (-17%). Below, Mazda (+8%), Ford (+12%) and Suzuki (+8%) charge on and impress with sizeable gains but all retain their 2015 ranking. Hino (+9%) knocks Mercedes (-7%) out of the Top 10.

The GS helped MG soar to #12 in the Thai brands ranking this year.

The most impressive evolution in the Thai brands ranking this year is delivered by Chinese carmaker MG. A local producer since 2015, MG more than doubles its sales year-on-year at +120% to land in 12th place overall with 8.319 units and 1.1% share. It peaked at #11 in July and October and lodged its very first four-digit result in December at 1.071 sales. Model-wise, the MG3 is up 69% to #28, the MG5 up 518% to #41 the MG6 up 170% to #50 and the MG GS lands at #60. Chinese MG could aim at a Top 10 ranking in 2017 if it launches more models in Thailand. These are encouraging news for Chinese manufacturers willing to explore the dynamic south-east asian markets. Other great performers brand-wise include Subaru (+22%), Dongfeng (+17%), Peugeot (+18%), Ferrari (+54%) and Jaguar (+11%).

The Isuzu D-Max was #1 YTD all year until November before being toppled by the Hilux.

The models ranking is the theatre of a last minute “coup” by the Toyota Hilux. Its archenemy, the Isuzu D-Max, splendidly managed to counter the arrival of the new generation Hilux with a new sporty variant and discounted prices, holding the YTD pole position throughout the entire year up to November. Thanks to 14.485 deliveries in December (+46%) vs. 12.907 for the D-Max (-23%), the Toyota Hilux snaps a last minute win with 120.444 annual sales vs. 120.009. Both nameplates are stable year-on-year and therefore improve their market shares to 15.7% and 15.6% respectively. This is the 11th consecutive year the Toyota Hilux ranks #1 in Thailand, with the Isuzu D-Max last holding the top spot in 2005.

The Ford Ranger is up 29% to 4th place overall in 2016. 

The Toyota Yaris improves 1% to remain the best-selling passenger car in the country at a much more models 36.684 sales and 4.8% share. Among passenger cars, it distances the Honda City at #6 (-20%) the Mazda2 brilliantly breaking into the Top 10 at #8 (+22%) and the Honda Civic shooting up 233% to #9 thanks to the new generation. Traditionally atop the charts, the Toyota Vios (-39%) and Corolla (-14%) underperform this year. The Ford Ranger surges 29% and 5 spots to #4 thanks to the new model and is one of four pickups in the Top 7 alongside the Mitsubishi Triton (#7). The Toyota Fortuner is once again the #1 SUV in Thailand (#5) ahead of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (#14), Honda HR-V (#15) and the Honda BR-V, the most popular all-new nameplate at #18. Notice also the Toyota Sienta landing at #37.

Previous month: Thailand November 2016: Hilux races D-Max for annual pole position

Previous year: Thailand Full Year 2015: Hilux holds onto #1 in market down 10%

Two years ago: Thailand Full Year 2014: Toyota Hilux leads, Yaris on podium

Full Year 2016 Top 40 All-brands and Top 70 models vs. Full Year 2015 figures below.

Full December 2016 Top 30 All-brands and Top 65 models below.