Auto sales skid in February
HA NOI — Car sales by the Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) members reached just 5,030 units in February, down 25 per cent against the same period last year, reflecting a week-long holiday during the month to mark the lunar new year.
|
Tax break for imported cars
HA NOI — Import taxes for nine-seat and four-wheel automobiles are set to fall by 3 per cent to 80 per cent following the release of a circular on Tuesday by the Ministry of Finance.
The tariff reductions is part of a series of trade liberalisation commitments Viet Nam is required to enact in return for accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2006.
Reductions will apply to automobiles with a cylinder capacity of 2.5 litres and be effective from April 23. Other kinds of gasoline-powered and diesel-powered vehicles with cylinder capacity of less than 2.5 litres will continue to be subject to the current tax rate of 83 per cent.
The ministry also announced new tariff rates for iron, steel, wallpaper and computer equipment. — VNS |
VAMA said demand for SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and MPV (multi-purpose vehicles) declined sharply in the month.
The association said domestic carmakers sold just 1,167 SUVs/ MPVs and 1,612 commercial vehicles in February, a drop of 47 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively, against the same period last year.
In February, Truong Hai performed best in terms of sales, down just 9 per cent against the previous month.
Toyota, meanwhile, saw sales fall by 18 per cent against the previous month, while GM Daewoo's sales declined 20 per cent and Vinaxuki's, 25 per cent.
Touring cars were the biggest sellers, with 1,615 units sold, a 57 per cent increase over the same period last year.
Among the best-selling models were the Camry, Vios, Corolla Altis, GM Daewoo Lacetti and the Kia Cerato.
In the first two months of the year, total car sales reached 11.355 units, an increase of nearly 8 per cent over the same period last year.
Meanwhile, 5,900 cars were imported in the first two months of the year, worth US$94 million, according to the General Statistics Office.
The GSO said it expected car imports to decline next month. — VNS