Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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.
