all of 2020 according to the commerce ministry in contrast only half a million foreign tourists are expected this year the state planning agency forecast compared with a record of nearly 40 million in 2019 market leader toyota motor thailand forecast an 18 rise in the companys completely built car exports to 254000 units this year due to increased demand in asia and oceania so far issues around the global supply of microchips have not yet disrupted thai auto production significantly although fti warns it remains a risk spokespeople for toyota and mazda said they had been able to secure enough chips for production a honda thailand spokesperson told reuters it had shut a plant in may because of chip shortages but has managed to limit the impact on clients key markets nuntawat srivaratachkul acting vice president of the corporate planning division at toyota motor thailand told reuters vaccination rollouts and government stimulus had helped demand in key markets thai autos exports to top buyer australia more than tripled in may while those to vietnam soared almost tenfold and those to japan rose 76 that month in australia where local car production ended in 2017 a return to prepandemic economic prosperity and government stimulus have underpinned business and consumer demand helping business purchases of pickup trucks vietnams reduction of red tape around vehicle imports meanwhile has also facilitated trade flows ftis surapong said the strong appetite for pickup trucks was a sign pentup global demand was returning when the economy gets better and trade expands you have to buy pickup trucks he said reuters published on jun 30 2021 at 1228 pm ist telegram facebook copy link be the first one to comment comment now comments comment now read comment 1 all comments post post find this comment offensive choose your reason below and click on the submit button this will alert our moderators to take actions reasons for reporting foul language defamatory inciting hatred against a certain community out of context spam others report join the community of 2m industry professionals subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights analysis download etauto app get realtime updates save your favourite articles scan to download app thailands booming autos exports autos assembly and export hub economic growth toyota honda federation of thai industries aapico hitech car exports auto parts supplier homenewsauto componentsthailands booming autos exports help plug gaping tourism hole