Despite a 36.65 per cent drop in December exports, auto companies have managed to register a positive growth for all-year exports.

According to the Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club, a number of 776,140 units were exported throughout the year, up 12.47 per cent on year. The export value totalled Bt563.5 billion, 17.22 per cent higher than the previous year.

In 2008, they produced 1.394 million cars, up 8.29 per cent on year.

Exports were hit hard in November and December. In the last month, export volume dropped 36.65 per cent on year to 43,273 units, due mainly to a cut in orders from Asia, Australia, Europe, Central America and South America, said Surapong Paisitpatnapong, a spokesman for the club.