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The acute shortage of certain Honda motorcycle models in the Thai market has frustrated its dealers and customers as the Japanese bike maker faces unexpectedly strong demand overseas and at home.
"We apologise to our customers who are inconvenienced ... since such high demand is unexpected but we are making a great effort to step up production to meet the rising demand," said Suchart Arunsaengroj, general manager for sales at AP Honda Co, the country's largest motorcycle distributor.
Supplies of the PCX 125 scooter and Honda CBR150 and CBR250 sport models are very tight as no stocks remain at Thai Honda Manufacturing Co. Honda dealers are worried that the shortage will force its customers to consider rival brands.
"The high demand for these models partly because of high orders overseas which Honda had not expected earlier," said Mr Suchart.
"As well, riders want to upgrade to bigger engines that have not been available in the local market for long."
Bangkok-based Asian Honda Motor Co is responsible for motorcycle exports, with the main markets for the three models in Asean, Japan, the United States and Europe.
Mr Suchart said AP Honda had asked Honda's production arm to increase output to quickly meet the better-than-expected demand.
Thai Honda Manufacturing is preparing to increase production and expects the extra output will be rolled out by the fourth quarter of this year.
Since the global launch of the PCX in Thailand in late 2009, local demand for the model has been very steady, said a spokesperson at AP Honda.
Demand peaked at 2,000 units in January 2010 and now averages 1,500 units per month. Exports of the PCX have also grown but the figures were not available.
The global debut of the CBR 150 and CBR 250 in Bangkok late last year also strongly attracted customers who wanted bigger motorcycles.
Honda has been selling about 1,000 units per month on average for both models but the demand has surpassed that figure. "Honda's dealers complain they have lost some deals with potential buyers due to the shortage," said the spokesperson.
"We apologise to our customers who are inconvenienced ... since such high demand is unexpected but we are making a great effort to step up production to meet the rising demand," said Suchart Arunsaengroj, general manager for sales at AP Honda Co, the country's largest motorcycle distributor.
Supplies of the PCX 125 scooter and Honda CBR150 and CBR250 sport models are very tight as no stocks remain at Thai Honda Manufacturing Co. Honda dealers are worried that the shortage will force its customers to consider rival brands.
"The high demand for these models partly because of high orders overseas which Honda had not expected earlier," said Mr Suchart.
"As well, riders want to upgrade to bigger engines that have not been available in the local market for long."
Bangkok-based Asian Honda Motor Co is responsible for motorcycle exports, with the main markets for the three models in Asean, Japan, the United States and Europe.
Mr Suchart said AP Honda had asked Honda's production arm to increase output to quickly meet the better-than-expected demand.
Thai Honda Manufacturing is preparing to increase production and expects the extra output will be rolled out by the fourth quarter of this year.
Since the global launch of the PCX in Thailand in late 2009, local demand for the model has been very steady, said a spokesperson at AP Honda.
Demand peaked at 2,000 units in January 2010 and now averages 1,500 units per month. Exports of the PCX have also grown but the figures were not available.
The global debut of the CBR 150 and CBR 250 in Bangkok late last year also strongly attracted customers who wanted bigger motorcycles.
Honda has been selling about 1,000 units per month on average for both models but the demand has surpassed that figure. "Honda's dealers complain they have lost some deals with potential buyers due to the shortage," said the spokesperson.
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