About 45,000 completely-built-up (CBU) automobiles, worth 1.2 billion USD, were imported into Viet Nam in the first 5 months of the year.

The volume and value of the imports were almost 80% of the total for 2014 as a whole, at 72,000 units and 1.57 billion USD, representing an increase of 62.8% and 60.1%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

In May alone, 10,000 automobiles, worth 337 million USD, were imported, posting an increase of 43 million USD in terms of value. This is the highest import turnover achieved since the beginning of 2014.

The import of automobiles in recent months has shown a slight increase in volume and a significant rise in value month-on-month. This is due to the increasing imports of trucks and specialised vehicles, primarily from China.

One of the reasons why customers prefer imported trucks from China is that they are cheaper than those from other countries and even the locally assembled trucks.

General Director of Ford Vietnam Jesus Metelo Arias said with the current growth rate, the country's automobile market was expected to reach sales of 200,000 units this year. Among these, imported CBUs will account for half of the total.

(Source: VNA)