Toyota Yaris Ativ (Vios) sold 3x more than Honda City in Q1 2023 in Thailand
CY Foong · Apr 26, 2023 10:00 AM
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While Malaysians are still reeling from the all-new Toyota Vios’ higher starting price than its popular predecessor, up north in Thailand, buyers are gladly accepting the fourth-generation sedan in stride.
According to sales data compiled by Autolife Thailand, a total of 18,242 units of the Toyota Yaris Ativ, which is what the Vios is called in the Land of Smiles, were sold in the first quarter of 2023. The Vios’ Thai twin held a 60.9% market share in the country’s B-sedan segment thanks to strong sales in the first three months of the year.
That’s more than 3 times the number of units of Honda City sold in the Kingdom which took the second spot with a mere 6,067 units sold between January and March 2023. One of the reason for the Yaris Ativ's total dominance is because of its lower starting price than the City. The Yaris Ativ starts from THB 549,000 (~RM 71,000) while the City starts from THB 579,500 (~RM 75,000).
Still, the B-segment sedan market is mainly controlled by the Yaris Ativ and the City with a combined market share of 81.1%. Its rivals aside from the ageing Suzuki Ciaz saw around 1,000 units sold in the first three months of the year.
Taking third place overall is the Nissan Almera with 1,738 units sold in the same period. Spyshots of the facelifted Almera have been spotted in the Kingdom and it will be launched there soon.
Can the Yaris Ativ hold off the City for the rest of the year in the Kingdom? There is speculation that an updated Honda City could be introduced in Thailand sometime this year. Honda’s B-segment sedan was refreshed in India in March so it won’t be long before the updated City makes its regional debut in the Kingdom.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
