MoonRiverOasis

Honda CR-Z Hybrid arrives in the Thai grey market:

The Honda CR-Z has now arrived in Thailand via two different grey-market importers:

TSL Auto Corporation has it for 2.49M Baht, while Ramkhamhaeng Benz Group will accept your order for 2.29M Baht.

More info on the Honda CR-Z here.

Another option ? maybe not built on a buget ? TOYOTA IQ it has only a 1 lt engine + cost well over double that of the Nissan

"well over double" is correct, if perhaps an understatement -Seeing as the only way to buy an IQ in Thailand is through the grey market, prices range from around 1.3M to 1.5M Baht for "new" examples - here's a link

Some time ago there was speculation that Toyota Thailand would be using the IQ or the Aygo as it's eco-car project, but their eco-car project was then "postponed indefinitely" during the financial crisis in 2009, putting it all on ice. Latest rumours have it that their eco-car project might finally go ahead in 2014 - so don't expect any cheaper ways of driving an IQ anytime soon

Both the Nissan March and Mazda 2 Sedan have grabbed my attention recently, I wish PR did a better job of promoting them as, had I know about them, I would have considered them before buying my Honda City last December.

Did any of you guys know about these? how did you find out? I only saw them on the website after they'd been released.

I have a collection of about 40 Thai language websites I monitor reguarly, in addition to a small network of people in the industry that I use to keep up with the industry. If you're not Thai literate there's really no good resources at all I'm afraid - even manufacturer's own websites can take weeks to months (or even never) to update their English language versions..

To that end I've started a thread here that I'll keep updated so long as interest in it is maintained..

You also have to pay 7% VAT on top of your repayments. So it is never as cheap as it looks.

finance company deducts 7% vat when they purchse the vehicle and then ad 7% on your monthly rents/repayments. over 48 months vat=vat no more or less

Correct - for new vehicle finance, the finance company is able to claim tax credits for the 7% VAT, so the net result is you don't end up paying it. However, tax credits can not be claimed for finance on used vehicles - no matter what finance deal you get when buying a used vehicle, you'll be paying an additional 7% VAT on every repayment you make.

Nice going there Somnambulist, congrats!

Were you able to negotiate any extras beyond the free 1-year insurance that's included with the current campaign? Just curious as to how much latitude they have to play with during this promotion

Is there anyway to get financing on a marriage visa? If say you have 3 years of history on your bank book showing substantial monthly income from the USA. I have currently been on Marriage visa for 3 years now, but find the no credit in thailand thing starting to be a pain as I get more cozy here.

If you're willing to put the new vehicle in your wife's name, you should have no problems attaining finance even if you're the sole breadwinner.

In this scenario, you'll need a minimum of 25% down payment to get finance without any additional guarantors (30-35% if you're looking at a 4WD). 20% (and in some cases, even 15%) can be had if you have a Thai guarantor OR if your wife/yourself has an established, impeccable Thai credit rating.

Of the cars I've financed in Thailand - all in the wife's name using my sole salary, the first required a 25% downpayment, the 2nd a 20% down payment, the 3rd (a 4WD) needed 25% - so as you continue to finalize finance you will get better deals - assuming your repayment records are in good standing of course.

Also while on the subject of finance, it appears that 1.4% is currently the best going interest rate, based on 25% down and 48 months. Starting rates are anywhere from ~2% to 3.5%, so make sure you negotiate!

Note that interest rates increase as the downpayment decreases, and also increase as the term increases. They also have a habit of increasing as you push for bigger discounts and/or more freebie accessories

But none the less, I think the new fiesta is sexy, coupled with the TDI it would be a gas sipper and great for Thailand too.

Yes, the Fiesta Econetic with it's 1.6L turbo diesel is a real "gas" sipper - better than the Toyota Prius hybrid in fact @ 27 KM/L (3.7L/100 KM or 65.5 MPG [uS]). However the Econetic engine is currently only built in Germany and requires Euro IV diesel which Thailand won't see until 2012, so at this stage it's a non-starter for the local market.

installation is NOT plug and play, you will need to cut half a dozen ecu wires, fit resistors to the ecu side wires, then fit the correlating wires to the

piggyback 3in1 harness.

Unfortunately that's a major consideration for me, and I suspect others too. The problem is that both of my turbo-diesels are < 1 year old so are still under the new car warranty - in fact I never keep a vehicle beyond it's 3rd birthday. The problem is, even a pin-hole from a vampire tap is enough for Thai dealers to scream foul and invalidate your drivetrain warranty..

If you're able to develop the product to the point where it could be plug-and-play (and similarly unplugabble when it comes to servicing time) please let me know via this thread or PM.

From the rumor mill..

Nissan Thailand are apparently looking into 2 more variants of the March eco-car - the first a 4-door version, and the second being a mini-MPV, which would also become the first candidate for the supercharged 98PS 1.2L engine. Nothing will be happening with either of these until at least 2011 though.

Also, it appears that BMW are set to launch a 2.0L turbo diesel powered X1 at this year's motor show (which starts on 26 March) - no pricing has been announced, but expect it to be well North of 3M Baht.

P.S. Heard that the top of the line March has stop/start a la Honda PCX. Can anyone confirm?

All automatic (CVT) variants have idle-stop.

There are a number of aftermarket frame kits that'll allow you to install any regular 2-DIN size source unit, along with some specialized all-in-one kits that come with an upgraded unit or Car PC:

The frame-kits (without electronics) usually range from 1500 - 3000 Baht, but make sure you check both the quality and color-match as these can vary a lot. All-in-one units will cost you more and frankly, being no-name stuff, aren't recommended.

That is NOT the new Nissan March on sale in Thailand I'm afraid..

This is what it actaully looks like:

Not much better I concede, but definitely different ;-)

Just in from the Ford marketing dept:

Sounds great! Can you answer a few questions on it?

1. What sort of gains are possible without engine mods?

2. Does the piggyback require any cutting of, or tapping into (e.g. vampire tap) of existing vehicle wiring? - i.e. the sort of things that cannot be un-done without leaving tell-tale traces (even if only a couple of pin holes in the vehicle wiring) behind.

3. What makes and models are supported?

4. What does it cost?

5. Does it require professional fitting, or can it be DIY? if the latter, what sort of instructional material is supplied?

6. Do you have any before and after dyno charts of performance changes, using engines without mechanical modifications?

7. Can you guarantee no flat spots, check engine scenarios etc?

Thanks!

Please post pricings.

Looks like there'll be no pricing information for the Ford Fiesta until the Motor Show (which starts on the 26th).

Mazda 2 Sedan Pricing and Models announced:

Groove M/T - 535,000 Baht

Groove A/T - 564,000 Baht

Spirit S A/T - 615,000 Baht

Maxx A/T- 675,000 Baht

All models share the same 1.5L engine and transmissons as the hatchback variant.

The Groove variants come standard with driver's airbag & ABS, making them an absolute price match for the equivelant Toyota VIOS J w/ABS.

The official unveiling of the Fiesta will proceed as planned today at the MA DU ZI hotel on Ratchadapisek (it's an invitation event for those thinking of gate crashing).

Both the 5-door hatch and the 4-door sedan will be on display. More info as it comes..

Saw the latest Ford Fiesta in Chonburi today, the first I have seen, anyway. Nice looking hatchback, much better than the Yaris/ Jazz. Red plate, meaning they're available somewhere in Chonburi for those interested.

There's been a few examples floating around as demonstrators since December 2009, but there's definitely no way to own one yet I'm afraid. The one you saw was probably this:

The official unveling happens later today, and Ford dealers will now start taking deposits from those who are willing to wait 5 months for delivery (!)

It's definitely a very compelling package when compared with the Yaris, Jazz and the 2.. It has a larger engine (1.6L in the higher models) which well outforms what it's paper specs suggest, a 6-speed powershift dual-clutch transmission, Electronic stability control (a first in this segment), class-leading ride quality and handling, plus a swathe of cool gadetry such as USB, Bluetooth and voice control - all wrapped up in a stylish body. The only real compromise is it's interior versatility which lags well behind the Jazz and Yaris.

But until Ford invest a whole lot of money improving their brand image in Thailand, it won't achieve the kind of sales success it's achieving in other markets and it's resale value will remain a sore point for those who factor in total cost of ownership..

Probably a face/status thing also as white cars cost more, at least on the camrys and accords.

Yes, you do pay a little more for white pearl/mica on the Camry, Accord and the Pajero Sport, however it's the same price as other options on the Teana, and regular white is actually a little cheaper than the other standard colors on some models.

As far as car colour fashion goes, white is the new black, which is the reason Thais are clamouring for 'exclusive' white cars.

Precisely!

White pearl/mica is the new black - marketed as "prestige" color, while regular white is the new red - used to market "sporty" variants.

From a more global POV, blue is gaining popularity to market "green" (read environmentally friendly) cars, while green/orange/pink (all in mica finishes) are the colors used to attract the youth market, and matt finishes are the new supercar standard..

White started becoming "vogue" in Thailand back in 2007 with the release of some special edition models in the color, and has been slowly gaining popularity since..

If you don't like it, just wait for the next color fad - pinks and reds!

The 2010 VIOS minor change has recently been released with "Blackish Red Mica" as the launch color (which looks more pink'ish in the promo material BTW), and rumour has it that Ford will be using "Hot Magenta" as the launch color for the new Fiesta.

While the Mitsubishi RVR will be launching in most markets this year, Mitsubishi Thailand have publicly stated that there will be no new models launched in Thailand until 2012, outside of their eco-car project.

In regards to the RVR, they're main concerns are Thai market acceptance (sales of the Lancer EX range has been below expectations), and the difficulties of getting it to market at a price < 1M Baht - which Mitsubishi says is necessary for any form of success for the model, but very difficult to achieve.

While it's been surrounded by "soft talk" (which indicates a desire to release the model), this type of talk also indicates that it'll never make it.

That doesn't rule out the grey import market of course, but if/when it arrives through that channel you can expect prices to be heading north of 2M Baht..

2011 Facelift Vios in Thailand

http://www.dailytorque.com/2010-2011-toyot...ailand-spyshot/

That's the minor change that was released a couple of days ago here in Thailand

I was looking towards buying a new hilux but was putting it off until later this year for a number or reasons...hopefully they makes some changes as you describe for then. But TIT, so who knows.

The engine changes to make the VIGO Euro IV compliant wont' be happening until the end of 2011 as the fuel grade required to support it simply isn't going to be widely available in Thailand until November 2011.

There will be a nano change for the VIGO in 2010 however, but nano changes by definitition are small - so don't expect too much.. I'm still awaiting further intel on timing for this. The recent heavy production cuts for the VIGO line may indicate it's coming soon, then again they may just indicate a depressed market too..

To reiterate, this is the current schedule for the Hilux VIGO:

2010: VIGO nano change.

2011: VIGO extensive-yet-minor change.

2014: New Hilux (codename IMV2)

Note that these are actual Gregorian calendar years, not American-style model years

Thai Manufacturers: None that I'm aware of (if you exclude rebranding)

Brands on the Thai market: Dozens - mostly Chinese/Taiwanese in origin.

Thai HID Vendors: Hundreds online (primary channel being online forums, with dozens via direct e-commerce), practically thousands in the bricks-and-mortar world.

If you're looking to sell, I'd say forget it, unless you can make a business plan that works with 100-250 THB profit per sale. If you're looking to buy, you will need a little Thai language experience to find the best prices - as is the case with anything here LOS I guess..