Thailand 2006: Toyota up to record 42.7% share, new generation lifts Hilux to #1

The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in Thailand in 2006.

After 6 years of double-digit gains lifting the market from record lows in 1998 to record highs in both 2004 and 2005, the Thailand new vehicle market takes a breather in 2006 at -3.8% to a still very high 659.975 units, the 2nd largest annual volume in history. Toyota (+1.5%) defies the slump to reach never-seen-before market shares at a whopping 42.7%, head and shoulders above its archenemy Isuzu (-3.8%) matching the market at 24.9% share. Honda (+13.1%) progresses to a round 10% and the next 6 brands all lose significant ground with Mercedes (-28.4%), Mitsubishi (-26.8%), Ford (-17.1%) and Mazda (-14%) the hardest hit. BMW (+16.9%) steps into the Top 10.

Over in the models ranking, thanks to a new generation launched in late 2004 the Toyota Hilux (+9.5%) ends 3 consecutive years of reign by the Isuzu D-Max (-3%), reaching an all-time record volume for any nameplate in Thailand at over 158.500 sales. The Hilux would end up keeping the Thai lead for 11 consecutive years up to 2016. The Toyota Vios (-26.6%) for its part remains the most popular car despite a steep fall, distancing the Honda Civic (+63.5%) and Toyota Corolla (-17.9%) with the Toyota Yaris landing directly at #9. The Mitsubishi Triton (+109%), Nissan Big M (-22.1%) and Chevrolet Colorado (-8.8%) make it 5 pickups in the Top 7.

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Full Year 2006 Top 30 All-brands and Top 150 All-models vs. Full Year 2005 figures below.