Thailand's automotive production declined in September as flooding disrupted parts suppliers and forced several assembly plants to suspend operations temporarily, according to data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), recently.

Automakers recorded a 6% year-on-year decline in vehicle production last month. This reversed the 11% year-on-year increase recorded in August, according to the FTI.

The federation attributed the decline to supply chain disruptions, particularly affecting internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicles, which require a larger number of components during manufacturing.

Production of fuel-powered passenger cars fell 28% in September, despite a 55% increase in pure electric vehicle (EV) production.

During the first nine months of 2026, automotive production increased 1% year-on-year, according to Surapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesperson for the FTI's Automotive Industry Club.

Domestic vehicle sales increased 14.28% year-on-year in September, supported by deliveries of passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which rose 80% and accounted for 29% of total vehicle sales, Surapong said at a news conference.

Meanwhile, sales of passenger ICE cars declined 14.5%, accounting for 14% of total vehicle sales, he further added.

Thailand's finished vehicle exports increased 4.5% year-on-year in September, despite a 30% decline in shipments to the Middle East due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Surapong said. The FTI retained its 2026 vehicle production target, comprising allocations for exports and the domestic market. It noted that manufacturers planned to accelerate production to recover the output lost due to the disruptions.