Car Sales Fade in Thailand

Demand for new cars in Thailand continues to slump, dimming hopes by the country's auto trade group that full-year sales will reach 1.2 million units in 2014, the Bangkok Post reports.

The group says Malaysia's car production roughly half of which is exported fell 28% to 517,500 units in the first quarter. Domestic sales plummeted 46% to 224,200 vehicles, including a 47% decline to 84,000 units in March.

The Post notes that volumes have fallen since a government incentive for first-time car buyers ended in December. Political turmoil and a sluggish economy also have hurt sales.