Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) achieved a record sales volume of nearly 66,000 units, excluding imported Lexus cars, in 2018, marking a year-on-year increase of 11 per cent.

A manufacturing line of Toyota Motor Vietnam in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. — Photo TMV

According to its business results report released on Wednesday, TMV said the Vios was its leading model with 3,600 units sold in December. The Innova and Fortuner were also listed in the best-selling cars of 2018.

Nearly 52,600 units were locally manufactured in 2018, up 27 per cent compared 2017. These figures show TMV’s commitment to pursuing local production to boost the automobile industry’s development.

TMV’s export turnover reached nearly US$71 million last year, contributing to the accumulated turnover of around US$535 million.

In the past year, TMV established a specialised department to support suppliers – especially local one – in reforming their management capability, increasing working efficiency and boosting product quality, which is seen a decisive factor in raising the localisation rate (the percentage of parts coming from local suppliers).

The firm has one of the highest localisation rates of any FDI firm in the industry, with more than 400 components provided by 33 suppliers, of which five are Vietnamese.

TMV contributed around $699 million in taxes to the State budget last year. 

Ford reports 2nd month of record sales

A Ford Transit van. 

Ford Vietnam has announced record retail sales for a second consecutive month in December. It sold 3,959 vehicles, a 56 per cent year-on-year rise.

The company said there had been strong sales across its lineup, with the Ranger, Everest and EcoSport each delivering their all-time best monthly performance.

"We had a fantastic finish to the year, which is being supported in part by the continued strength of Viet Nam’s economy and high consumer confidence,” Pham Van Dung, managing director of Ford Vietnam, said.

The Ranger saw sales jump by 38 per cent to 1,928 units and was the best-selling pickup for a fifth consecutive year in 2018 with 8,675 vehicles sold.

The EcoSport’s sales soared 59 per cent to 623 units as it finished the year as the leader of the compact SUV segment with sales rising 22 per cent to 4,844 units.

The versatile Transit van remained the best-seller in the commercial van and bus segment with full-year sales increasing by 2 per cent to 5,815 units, including 340 in December.

The mid-size SUV Everest’s December sales rose to 621 vehicles and full-year sales to 2,007.

The Focus’s December sales increased by 40 per cent year-on-year to 254 vehicles, and full-year sales by 69 per cent to 2,105.

The Explorer, imported from the US and equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine, saw December sales jump 44 per cent year-on-year to 183 units. It was the leader in the premium SUV segment for a second consecutive year with 2018 sales of 785 vehicles.

VNS