VAMA publishes top 10 least wanted cars in first half

Kia Sportage, one of the least wanted cars in the first half of 2017

VAMA publishes top 10 car models in first half The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) has recently released the list of the top ten best selling cars in the first six months of 2017, featuring the familiar names of giants in the Vietnamese automobile industry.

VAMM reported rising sales in first half of 2017 Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) reported an increase in sales volume of its members for the first two quarters of 2017.

Vietnam’s car sales fly through the roof in first quarter Vietnam’s automobile sales reached 56,264 units in the first quarter of 2016, up 38 per cent on-year, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA)’s statistics published on April 8.

Of the five car brands appearing on the list, Suzuki Vietnam scored three places with three models, while Mekong Auto Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam, and Honda Vietnam each had two models. Kia had one model on the list.

The two least wanted cars belonged to Misubishi, which could not sell a single Mitsubishi Pajero or Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in June 2017. In the first six months, only 5 and 15 units find homes, respectively.

Mitsubishi Pajero was considered one of the best sport utility vehicles (SUV) in Vietnam. However, the model on this list is the fourth generation of the model, introduced ten years ago. Misubishi has only upgraded some small interior features ever since, leaving the Pajero unable to compete with rivals.

In addition, due to its huge size and high petrol consumption, these Pejero cars are not suitable personal vehicles, especially in urban areas.

Similarly, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was introduced in 2010 and has been hardly upgraded ever since. As such, the model simply cannot compete with modern SUVs at present.

Ranking fourth was the Kia Sportage, a brand from South Korea distributed by Thaco Kia, an affiliate established by VAMA-member Truong Hai Auto Corporation and Kia Motors from South Korea. 24 units were sold in June 2017—and the whole year altogether. However, according to newswire VnEconomy, Thaco Kia has stopped the distribution of this South Korean model, so Kia Sportage may not feature on future lists.

Ranking fifth and sixth were Mekong Pronto and Mekong Premio, with 25 and 42 units sold, respectively, in the first half of 2017, and none in June. Unlike the last two least wanted Mitsubishi cars on this list, automobiles distributed by Mekong Auto Corporation are much less popular and this may be the main reason for the small sales volumes.

Of the ten models in this ranking, three belonged to Suzuki Vietnam. They included Suzuki Grand Vitara (third with 17 units sold), Suzuki Ciaz (eighth with 111 units sold), and Suzuki Ertiga (ninth with 112 units sold). These models are not as competitive as competitors in the same segment.

The two Honda cars on the list were the Honda Odyssey, standing at the seventh position with 52 units sold, and Honda Accord at the last position with 113 units sold in the first six months of 2017.

Nevertheless, the appearance of these two cars on the list is easy to understand as these models have been manufactured for specific segments and not the major market. Honda Odyssey is a kind of minivan suitable for families with kids and Honda Accord is for younger customers.