Thailand October 2019: MG hits record share in 5th straight market drop (-7.6%)

The new HS SUV helps MG hit a new record market share in Thailand.

After 29 consecutive months of gains from January 2017 to May 2019, the Thai new vehicle market endures a 5th straight drop in September at -7.6% to 77.121 units, yet the year-to-date tally remains in positive for now at a very slim +0.6% to 838.968. The Top 3 best-selling brands all fall faster than the market, led by Toyota (-8.2%) at 34.5% share, Isuzu (-12.1%) at 15.4% and Honda (-11.6%) at 12.6%. Mitsubishi (+5.1%) continues to drive against the grain with an incredible 31st year-on-year gain in a row, but Chinese MG (+63.5%) is the best performer in Thailand this month, scoring the largest gain among the Top 14 brands and crossing the symbolic 3% market share milestone for the first time in history at 3.3%, eclipsing its previous best of 2.7% hit last June. No other carmaker manages a gain in the Top 14, with Subaru (+122.2%), Porsche (+104.3%), Lexus (+51.4%) and Tata (+17%) signing rare upticks and Mini (#16) making its first appearance in the Thai ranking.

Previous month: Thailand September 2019: Mitsubishi (+6.4%), MG (+7.2%), Mercedes (+22.3%) survive in first double-digit market drop in 3 years (-14.1%)

One year ago: Thailand October 2018: Toyota Hilux (+85%) reclaims YTD lead

Full October 2019 Top 25 All-brands ranking below.