New vehicle sales in Taiwan last month rose 24.2 percent from the previous month to 36,532 units as people resumed buying following Ghost Month, which fell mostly in August this year and is traditionally a slow period for big-ticket sales.
However, last month’s figure was down 1.5 percent from a year earlier, as buyers held off on vehicle purchases to wait for the launch of new models in the fourth quarter, online market researcher U-Car.com said in a report yesterday, citing data compiled by local motor vehicle branches.
Sales of imported brands — including Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, BMW and Tesla — increased 25.2 percent month-on-month and 7.9 percent year-on-year to 18,685 units, U-Car said.
Photo: CNA
The overall market share of imported brands rose to 51.1 percent last month, the second straight month above the 50 percent mark, it said.
Sales of Tesla vehicles were 2,261 units last month, up 82.2 percent annually, with its market share, 6.2 percent, ranking first among imported brands — ahead of Mercedes-Benz, which saw sales grow 16.5 percent to 2,148 units, or a market share of 5.9 percent.
From January to last month, total new vehicle sales in Taiwan fell 1.6 percent year-on-year to 344,116 units, with sales of imported brands decreasing 1 percent from a year earlier to 165,520 units, U-Car data showed.
New vehicle sales this month are estimated to be about 40,000 units, flat from a year earlier, as brands continue promotional offers, Hotai Motor Co (和泰汽車), which distributes Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Taiwan, said in a note, adding that full-year sales in the local market could exceed 450,000 units.
Hotai Motor reported sales of 12,396 units last month, up 15.8 percent from a year earlier thanks to robust demand for its Town Ace commercial vehicles and compact Yaris Cross sports utility vehicles (SUVs), the company said.
Steady demand for Corolla Cross and RAV4 SUVs, as well as luxury Lexus cars, also boosted Hotai’s sales last month, maintaining the company’s market lead with a share of 33.9 percent, it said.
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