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Showing posts from April, 2025

The D-Segment Sedan Struggle: Veterans and Newcomers Alike Falter

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February saw a positive turn for the automotive market, with a surprising growth in sales despite it being a typically low season. Several segments, such as the B-segment sedans and affordable MPVs, maintained strong sales figures. However, the low-slung car segment with a price tag of around VND 1 billion has yet to see a significant boost. The group’s sales figures have been steadily declining, and even the leading model, the Toyota Camry, couldn’t escape this downward trend. Total sales for the group fall below 200 units In February, the Toyota Camry sold 130 units, an almost 11% decrease compared to the previous month. This model continues to lead the D-segment sedan market, accounting for over 83% of the segment’s total sales. The new-generation Camry, launched in October 2024, was expected to boost sales for the model, but the actual sales figures have not shown much improvement. Toyota Camry fails to uplift the D-segment sedan category Sales figures for the VND...

Danang Auctions Off Fleet of Government Cars, Bidding Starts at a Mere 14 Million VND

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**Danang’s Finance Department Auctions Off Government Vehicles, Including Vintage Models** The Finance Department of Danang City is coordinating with relevant units to auction off a range of government vehicles, mostly general-use cars manufactured between 1997 and 2012. According to the auction list, the lowest starting price is for a 2002 Toyota Hiace RZH I14L – BRMRS, going for just over VND 14 million. In contrast, a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E300 (W212) has the highest starting price at nearly VND 471 million. Additionally, various other models, such as the Ford Everest UV9F and the Hyundai Sonata , are up for auction with prices ranging from VND 15 million to over VND 400 million. Notably, among the vehicles being auctioned, four buses have exceeded their service life, and three sedans were damaged due to flooding on October 14-15, 2022 . This includes a 1998 Toyota Camry with a starting price of over VND 87 million. The announced prices exclude value-added tax. This auction is...

The Ferrari Buyer is Getting Younger

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According to Carscoops , Ferrari is a brand that captures the attention of all customer groups, but its typical owners tend to be middle-aged or older. However, the Maranello-based (Italy) carmaker has revealed that it is attracting younger customers, with data showing that 40% of new car buyers are now under 40. This figure has increased by 10% compared to 18 months ago, indicating a significant shift in the customer demographic of the exclusive Italian car brand. In an interview with CNBC , Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna attributed this achievement to the company’s talented team. The Italian sports car manufacturer did not provide details on new car sales figures. The principle of “delivering one less car than the market demands,” set by the legendary chairman Enzo Ferrari, has become a hallmark of the Italian sports car brand’s strategy. The current CEO, Benedetto Vigna, affirmed that this would not change. Ferrari remains committed to its production plan, despite pressure ...

The Early Race Wrap-Up: The Premium SUV Segment in Vietnam

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Last year, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-8 unveiled their new generations or upgraded versions, hoping to compete with the Ford Everest. However, the sales performance over the first two months of this year indicates that the sole American representative in the mid-size SUV segment is likely to easily emerge victorious once again. Ford Everest Outselling All Its Rivals Combined In February, Ford Everest more than doubled its sales, surging from 300 units in January to 760 vehicles in the latest reporting period. Not only did it outsell its competitors such as the Hyundai Santa Fe (226 units), Mazda CX-8 (191 units), and Toyota Fortuner (161 units), but the Ford Everest also accounted for more than half of the total sales in its segment. It is the top-selling model, outperforming all its rivals combined. Ford Everest outsells all its competitors combined Breakdown of mid-size SUV segment sales in February (Data: VAMA, TC Motor) Brand Ford Everest Hyundai Santa Fe ...

The Porsche 911 Dakar: A 75,000-Kilometer Journey.

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Among the many Porsche 911s out there, the limited-edition Porsche 911 Dakar stands out, with only a handful produced and one proudly owned by a Vietnamese businessman from Haiphong, now residing in Ho Chi Minh City. Just a week after taking delivery of this sports car, he embarked on a 35,000-kilometer round trip to China. And in the nearly two years since, he’s returned to the country twice in this very car. The Haiphong businessman shared that his Porsche 911 Dakar has reached 75,000 kilometers In a recent update, the owner revealed that the car’s odometer had climbed to almost 75,000 kilometers during his return to Urumqi, where he had first serviced the car at the 15,000-kilometer mark. It’s likely that the 911 Dakar will hit the 100,000-kilometer mark this year. One of the key advantages of the Porsche 911 Dakar is its higher ground clearance, approximately 50 mm more than the standard model, which enables the Haiphong businessman to navigate various terrains with ease....

VinFast Targets 200,000 Electric Vehicle Sales in Vietnam by 2025

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On April 24, Vingroup held its 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders with several notable points. At the Annual General Meeting, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Pham Nhat Vuong, emphasized VinFast’s confidence in competing globally with major electric vehicle manufacturers, based on three pillars: quality products, reasonable prices, and excellent after-sales service. Addressing shareholders’ concerns about competitive pressure, Mr. Vuong affirmed: “VinFast can compete head-to-head with global electric vehicle manufacturers on price.” Accordingly, the company is continuously optimizing every stage, from research and production to business operations, to reduce costs and create more competitive products in terms of pricing. In addition, Mr. Vuong believes that VinFast’s biggest differentiator lies in its after-sales policy. “It can take a few months to repair an electric vehicle worldwide. VinFast aims to repair vehicles within eight hours,” he said. Every day, Mr. Vuong...

The Ultimate Family Vehicle: A 7-Seater Car Priced at 700 Million VND – A ‘New Kid’ Worth Waiting For

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The affordable MPV segment has been dominated by the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Veloz Cross for several years now. As of February, no new contenders have emerged to challenge their reign, making this vehicle class one of the market’s “boring” categories. Xpander Remains the MPV King With a budget of around VND 600-800 million, the Xpander is a popular choice for many consumers. In February, Mitsubishi sold 1,053 units of the Xpander, a 30% increase compared to the first month of the year. Cumulative sales for the first two months reached 1,861 units. It’s no surprise that the Xpander consistently tops the sales charts in the affordable MVP segment. With a price range of VND 598-698 million, this MPV offers excellent value for money. It boasts a spacious interior and ample room, making it ideal for large families or taxi service businesses. Boring Battle in the Affordable MPV Segment Sales of MPVs priced around VND 700 million (data: VAMA, TC Group) Brand Mitsubi...

The Ultimate Guide to Toyota Wigo’s Brake Issues: Are You Affected?

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Toyota has recently announced a recall for their Wigo vehicles in Vietnam. According to the Vietnam Registry, a total of 3,591 Wigo units are affected by this recall. All affected vehicles were produced between February 13, 2023, and July 16, 2024, in Indonesia. During use, the braking system of the Wigo may malfunction due to driving habits or environmental conditions. This can lead to operational risks and potentially compromise the driver’s safety. Toyota Vietnam will be inspecting and providing software updates to affected customers from March 14, 2025, to March 14, 2028. Each vehicle inspection and software update is estimated to take approximately 0.6 hours. In Vietnam, the Toyota Wigo is positioned in the small car segment, competing against the Kia Morning and Hyundai Grand i10 . In February, the Wigo recorded sales of 137 units, ranking second in its segment. The vehicle is offered in Vietnam with two versions, the E and G trim levels, priced at 360 and 405 million ...