In February, Vietnam imported 10,039 cars worth US$209 million, up 20.3% month-on-month in volume but down 1.88% in value, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC).

Car production at VinFast. Photo: Pham Hung

According to the GDVC, 90% of imported cars in Vietnam in February came from Thailand (5,200 units), Indonesia (3,300) and China (589).

Overall, nearly 18,400 cars were imported to Vietnam during the two-month period, up 23.7% year-on-year, of which, passenger cars made up a lion’s share of over 12,000, or 66.3%.

Customs statistics also showed that car accessories and parts worth US$345 million were imported into Vietnam in February, up 10.2% month-on-month. Suppliers of those products were mainly from South Korea with US$93 million, followed by Thailand (US$63 million), China (US$59 million) and India (US$22.6 million).

Overall, accessories and parts imported to Vietnam during the January-February period reached US$730 million, up 11% year-on-year.

Data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) revealed the number of cars sold in Vietnam declined for two consecutive months in February with a contraction of 22% against the previous month to nearly 13,600 units.

 In the first two months of 2021, car sales in Vietnam, however, rose by 21% year-on-year to more than 40,000 units across all segments.

As many as 23,120 locally assembled cars were sold in the period, up 11% against the previous month, and the figure of imported cars rose by 37% to 16,900 units.