BANGKOK — Sales of new autos in six major Southeast Asian markets declined for a second straight year in 2020, falling 29% as the coronavirus pandemic weighed on the industry.
Total sales in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore sank to 2.44 million vehicles. In April alone, the tally plummeted roughly 80% as authorities imposed restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. But market conditions began to improve later in the year, and December sales dipped just 0.2% on the year to about 312,000.
Thailand, the region’s largest market, saw a 21% drop to 790,000, the first time in three years that the annual tally has fallen below the 1 million mark. Sales have recovered recently as the country relaxes pandemic-related restrictions, jumping 11% on the year in December following a rise in November. A major auto expo there also provided a boost.
In Indonesia, which…
