Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Thailand’s auto industry faced a sharp decline in January, with car production dropping 24.63% year-on-year to 107,103 units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The slump, driven by weak domestic sales and exports, marks the 18th consecutive month of declining production.
"I was very shocked. The production numbers are really low," said Surapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesperson for the FTI’s automotive division. The drop was steeper than December’s 17.37% decline, signaling growing challenges for Southeast Asia’s largest auto manufacturing hub.
Domestic car sales fell 12.26% year-on-year to 48,092 units, following a 20.94% drop in December, as high household debt and tighter auto loans dampened consumer demand. Meanwhile, exports plummeted 28.13% to 62,321 units, the lowest in nearly three years, due to rising competition from Chinese automakers. In December, exports had already fallen 15.46%.
Thailand serves as a key export hub for global auto giants like Toyota (NYSE: TM) and Honda (NYSE: HMC), with Australia, the Philippines, and Japan being its top markets in 2023. However, the increasing presence of Chinese brands is reshaping the competitive landscape.
The FTI is closely watching potential government measures to ease auto loan restrictions and the U.S. policy on auto tariffs. President Donald Trump recently stated that new auto levies could be introduced by April 2, which could further impact Thailand’s auto exports.
With persistent declines in both domestic and international markets, Thailand’s auto sector faces mounting pressure, making upcoming policy decisions critical for recovery.
