Thailand Full Year 2018: Toyota Hilux reclaims top spot in market up 19.5%

The Toyota Hilux signs a 12th win in the past 13 years in Thailand.

Consult over 15 years of Thailand Historical Data here.

This article has been updated with the Top 75 models.

It’s a second consecutive year of double-digit gains for new vehicle in Thailand with 2018 up a whopping 19.5% to 1.041.739 units, the highest annual score and first time above 1 million sales since 2013. Before December “disappointed” with a 8.8% year-on-year gain, the Thai market was on a streak of 15 consecutive double-digit gains. Brand leader Toyota (+31.3%) vastly outperforms the market to get back above 30% share at 30.2%, up from 27.5% in 2017 but still down on the 31.8% of 2016, whereas Isuzu (+10.8%) and Honda (+0.4%) both lose share vs. 2017. MG (+97.6%) almost doubles its sales vs. 2017 now that it produces locally and gains 3 spots to end 2018 well inside the Top 10 at #9, breaking all its records this year: ranking (#8 in January), share (2.7% in May) and volume (2.812 in December). Mazda (+37.2%), Mitsubishi (+21.3%) and Nissan (+21.2%) also advance faster than the market whereas Ford (+17.6%), Suzuki (+14%) and Chevrolet (+8.2%) are more measured in the remainder of the Top 10. Brands outpacing the market outside the Top 10 are extremely rare (Porsche, Kia and Changan), illustrating a market consolidating onto the best-sellers.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+37.2%) reclaims the overall crown off the Isuzu D-Max (+11.8%) despite a last minute December surge (+48.3%) by the latter meaning the two nameplates are only separated by 1.333 sales at year-end. The Hilux secures its 12th win in the past 13 years and eclipses the 150.000 annual unit mark, the first time since 2013 any nameplate does so in Thailand. The Ford Ranger (+24.7%) keeps the podium 100% pickups, Thailand being the pickup factory of the world, while the Mazda2 (+44.7%) overeats the Honda Coity (-1.7%) to claim the title of best-selling passenger car. The Mitsubishi Triton (+23.2%) rounds up the Top 5 ahead of the Toyota Yaris (+17.6%) with the MG ZS (+1810%), Toyota Yaris Ativ (+136.5%) and Suzuki Swift (+65.8%) posting the largest gains in the Top 20. The Toyota C-HR (#16) is the most popular new launch above the Mitsubishi Zpander (#35) and Nissan Terra (#52).

Previous post: Thailand November 2018: Toyota (+42%), MG (+122%) lift market up 26.3%

Previous year: Thailand Full Year 2017: Isuzu D-Max snaps crown off Toyota Hilux for first time in 12 years

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

Full Year 2018 Top 35 All-brands and Top 75 models vs. Full Year 2017 figures below.

Full December 2018 Top 30 All-brands and Top 70 models below.