HA NOI — The total sales volume of the Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) reached more than 9,250 units in October, the association said.

"This figure decreased by 11 per cent against the same month last year and dropped 8 per cent on September," it added.

Experts said the drop was a surprise as auto sales often rise at the end of the year. To VAMA, however, everything was still running on its track.

"Sales in October dropped due to the low consumption of commercial, sport-utility, multi-purpose and cross-over cars," said Nguyen Trung Hieu, a VAMA staff.

Hieu said that the total sales of passenger cars in October still increased as it did in the last months of previous years after the announcement that registration fees would soon increase.

According to him, more than 3,770 units were sold year-on-year, up by 17 per cent.

Meanwhile, the total SUV/MPV/Cross-over sales last month was 1,830 units, a year-on-year decrease of 18 per cent and an 8 per cent drop compared to September.

Also, only 3,374 commercial cars were purchased, a 31 per cent drop against October of 2010 and 13 per cent over September of this year.

"Tough economic conditions with a high banking interest rate is still the main reason causing the drop," Hieu said.

He added that SUV/MPV/Cross-over and commercial cars were often bought to serve business purposes.

"At that time, many companies found it was not effective to buy these vehicles so that they decide not to," Hieu said.

During October, Toyota was still the leader with 2,994 units were sold, a year-on-year increase of 11 per cent.

In another development, the General Department of Viet Nam Customs reported that about 3,290 autos were imported to Viet Nam in October, worth US$55.45 million. The figures were a month-on-month increase of 12.2 per cent in volume while a 19.5 per cent decrease in value. — VNS