March domestic car sales jump 25%, exports at 2-yr high

Domestic car sales in Thailand jumped 25.47% in March from a year earlier after two months of declines, helped by government stimulus and a motor show, industry data showed on Tuesday, but a third wave of coronavirus infections could slow sales.

The increase in sales and shipments came a month before a new outbreak that has caused over 30,000 infections so far this month, more than half of its total coronavirus cases recorded.

Sales had dropped in January and February following a second, quickly contained Covid-19 outbreak.

Thailand is a regional vehicle production and export base for the world’s top carmakers.

The new outbreak may cost the economy at least 100…