Does the "Ghost Month" haunt the automotive business?

The seventh lunar month – the low season for car sales – is almost unique to Vietnam, if considered within Southeast Asia.

For many car dealers in Vietnam, the seventh lunar month is practically a "stagnant" month. Many avoid buying, or even selling, cars during this month for a reason that dates back to...the days before automobiles: The elders often called this month the "Ngâu" month or the "Ghost Month," meaning it was unlucky and that nothing, big or small, should be undertaken during this time. At best, they might buy a car from someone desperately needing money and selling it quickly, or perhaps sell one to someone in dire need.

Used car buyers avoid it, new car buyers steer clear of it.For example, the Vios model almost always tops the list of best-selling cars, yet according to statistics...In July 2016 (June in the lunar calendar), the number of cars sold was around 1,000, but in August 2016 (July in the lunar calendar), sales dropped to only about 400 cars delivered.

Most Vietnamese people tend to avoid buying cars during the seventh lunar month.

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that buying or selling a car in the seventh lunar month is unlucky. Many cases of car purchases in other months of the year can still encounter problems, but if those same problems occur with a car bought or sold in the seventh lunar month, then it's definitely because the purchase was made during the "Ngâu" month (a period considered inauspicious for buying or selling cars during this time).

One of the three most important things in Vietnamese life is "buying a buffalo, getting married, and building a house," and according to that belief, buying a car is like buying a buffalo. Because it's such a big event, many people are hesitant to buy one. Many try to buy a car earlier or wait another month to "get past July."

However, in reality, many people disregard this unscientific belief and still turn to car dealerships hoping for discounts during the seventh lunar month.

According to VNE