Oil prices edged lower in Asian trading on Friday and were headed for weekly declines as investors weighed the prospects of a U.S.-Iran agreement and reports that both sides were close to extending a fragile ceasefire.
Lower total industry volume (TIV) in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26) weighed on the automotive sector’s earnings, although the impact was partly cushioned by the stronger ringgit, analysts say.
New vehicle sales in Thailand edged up by 2.5% to 48,394 units in April 2026, up from 47,193 units a year earlier, according to the latest data released by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Sales were lifted by deliveries of vehicles purchased at last month’s Bangkok International Motor Show, particularly battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Europe's auto market is showing fresh signs of life as new-vehicle registrations rose for the third straight month in April, giving investors a stronger read on demand at a time when automakers are still battling overcapacity, US tariffs and softer China sales.
A key gauge of Japan's service-sector inflation rose 3.0% in April from a year earlier, data showed on Wednesday, reinforcing the central bank's view that a tight labour market is pushing firms to pass rising costs on to consumers.
China's auto industry has likely moved past its "golden era," NIO Chief Executive William Li said on Thursday, as a downturn in domestic car sales extended into May.