MoonRiverOasis

Prices are still a bit sketchy...

These prices are in fact official - refer to Nissan's press release (linked above), or the Redbook Thailand here to confirm

Red Book Citroen C8 new in Thailand thb 2380000

The Citreon C8 has not been officially imported into Thailand since 2006, so that must be a very old copy of the RedBook you have there

Used models range from around 650,000 to 800,000 Baht.

Nissan March eco-car pricing and models announced

1.2 S MT 375,000 Baht

1.2 E MT 425,000 Baht

1.2 E CVT 459,000 Baht

1.2 EL CVT 489,000 Baht

1.2 V CVT 507,000 Baht

1.2 VL CVT 537,000 Baht

All models come with the same 1.2L 3-cylinder petrol engine with 59kW (79 PS) and 108 Nm, polluting the world with 120gm/km of CO2.

More info in the press release here (English)

As noted in my earlier post, deliveries will start in April for manual gearbox versions, and in June for versions equipped with the CVT transmission.

Actually, production started some time ago - today is the official media launch day.

June you say? A little bit longer into the year than I was hoping.

But the prospect of DSG is promising, and for around 700,000 Baht is not bad considering the top of the line Mazda 2 sells for just under 700,000.

Anyway, given the countries current political climate, I might just stay home and watch the news for a while.

The latest news puts Fiesta deliveries back to August 2010 now, and that'll be for the early adopters that are prepared to place a booking in the next few days and wait 5 months for their car -that probably means general availability will be more like September/October 2010..

More Updates:

Nissan March media day on March 12, 2010, with the official public launch on 13-14 March at Central World Plaza. Deliveires will start in April for manual gearbox versions, and in June for versions equipped with the CVT transmission.

Mazda 2 sedan official unveiling on March 15, 2010 with a two day media event planned for March 18-19 at Phuket. Pricing is yet to be announced, but Mazda have stated it will undercut both the Toyota VIOS and the Honda City.

Ford Fiesta official unveiling on March 16, 2010 - however no deliveries until August 2010 now (was previously expected to have availability in June). The range will feature a 4 door sedan and 5-door hatch, with a combination of 1.4L and 1.6L engines, and 5-speed manual and 6-speed powershift (dual clutch) transmissions.

The Chinese Chery cars start new about 200k, must be better then a ten year old one. http://www.thaichery.com/

200K Baht would be the downpayment, prices start just below the 400K mark:

http://www.thaichery.com/model.html

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/th/vehic...=CHER&new=1

No suggestions, but this link may be useful:

http://one2car.com/SearchEngine/searchengi...amp;caryear=ALL

I would love to get the Fiesta, such a great little car.

But WHEN!! and IF it comes to Thailand? What will be the engine specs on the Thai release? What will be the pricing? No doubt higher than the Mazda 2. I just cant get any solid info. Argh the pain and frustration!

We are moving out of Bangkok next month for work and will be needing some wheels pretty soon.

Maybe I can hold off and hire a car for a while ...hmmmmm options.

Expect the first examples of the Thai built Fiesta in dealerships this month, with broader availability expected in June. Prices have not been announced yet, but Ford have hinted more than a few times that 550k-700K is where it'll end up.

Information on the models and grades available is scarce, but Ford Thailand have confirmed that there will be models with the 1.6L petrol engine, the "Powershift" twin-clutch transmission (the first Fiesta's in the world with this), and for once, all of the cool electronics of their Western counterparts (Bluetooth, iPod compat, voice control etc).

As a footnote, the Thai Fiesta is made in the same plant as the Mazda 2 (Auto Alliance), so it stands to reason that they'll both share similar economics..

I'm interested why here in Thailand though they only have 2 airbags though??

1) Safety doesn't sell cars here, and 2) Because of #1, adding the standard Western quota of airbags and other safety features such as traction/stability control would simply price them out of the market. Sad that they're not even available as a cost-option I do admit - that alone goes to show you how much the average Thai motorist cares about it.

Any one else have any thoughts?

If you can hold off your decision for a month or three, the new Ford Fiesta should also probably be on your short-list. It would have to be the most awarded B-segment car in memory, so must be doing something (or most things) right..

???? The Mazda 3 is brand new + the price start at 755,000 baht with Free Insurance + 3-year/100,000 km warrantee + 3-year/100,000 km free maintenance

The one in the picture is the model most countries got in 2008-9, however that shape will not be available in Thailand until 2011. The "new" Mazda 3 in Thailand is nothing more than a minor change to what's now a very aged model.

More info here

So would it be safe to say that there will not be a new all new fortuner in the next two years?

Seems like it has been around for a long time?

Heard somebody talk about a new one coming soon?

Any info on this?

I was speaking to a Toyota dealer principal a few days ago, and he indicated that there's a "possibility" of a Fortuner minor change this year, however this may just manifest itself as another special model like the Aperto.

All light diesel manufacturers will be releasing updated models at the end of 2011/start of 2012, as mechanical changes are required in order to comply with the Euro IV standards legislated for 2012, however for Toyota this will only be a minor change. The Fortuner is based on the IMV(1) platform (which it shares with the VIGO and the Innova), and IMV2 is currently scheduled for a 2014 release - so there won't be a major model change until then.

^ it doesnt look like Suzuki Swift Thailand will have the Sports version here only GA & GL models whatever that is

anyone know the prices?

Swift GA 1.5L Auto: 599,000

Swift GL 1.5L Auto: 649,000

UPDATE:

From the local Toyota dealer principal:

• The 2010 VIOS minor change has been delivered to most dealerships around the country now, and many are already promoting it in the showroom.
  
• The Prius is now a strong possibility for a 2010 launch.
  
• The on-and-off again 2010 minor change for Fortuner is now a "maybe".
  

Unfortunately I don't foresee the Nissan March being anything close to a runaway success..

• It's a hatchback. While support for this body style is growing in LOS, it's hardly popular.
  
• It frankly doesn't have the right brand to attract buyers who might otherwise look at an eco-car as a 2nd or 3rd household vehicle (which is it's most lucrative potential market).
  
• It's styling is somewhere between horrid and tolerable (depending on personal tastes) - no-one is going to think it's the custest little thing they've ever seen though.
  
• There's already established competition at the price point (~400K) in the Thai market (Kia, Proton, Naza, Chery), yet they are all underforming sales-wise.
  
• The price point is way too high for the average Thai motorcycle owner to consider as their first step into the 4-wheeeled world. It'd need to be half of what it is to start stealing motorcyle customers.
  

I wish them all luck, but my gut tells me the only eco-cars that have a chance to sell in volume in LOS need brands that start with H or T..

More Updates:

Nissan "March" (eco-car) official launch: March 12, 2010.

Toyota VIOS minor change offical launch: March 13-14, 2010.

Update:

"Honda is set to become the second brand to launch Eco-car. It will unveil it late this year as a 2011 model, according to sources."

Bangkok Post, March 5, 2010

Not sure how much credence to give this, but if it's true it'll mean Honda's eco-car program has been accelerated by two years..

On the subject of Mitsubishi diesels, it would appear that not only will they be discontinuing the 3.2L variant, it seems likely that the 2.5L variant will be replaced by an all-new 2.2L engine from the "clean diesel" (4N1) family - the current version of which which makes 190 PS/400 Nm and is Euro V compliant.

While it'd be nice to have a 3.2L approaching 360 PS / 550 Nm, It wouldn't be terribly conducive to safety to put that kind of power in the hands of the average Thai pickup driver

Since neither of the pickupmakers in LOS has any new engine manufactoring ready within 6 months, I belive we wont see any new engines as 2011 models presented November 2010. First new engine seems to be Izu, sponsored by BOI, but they are delayed as I understand

Correct, I've heard nothing about new diesels for 2010, other than the delayed Isuzu that you've heard about. The next-gen diesels are all earmarked for a late 2011 release (as noted in my original list).

Present D4d Euro IV engines in Europe

2,5 144 hp, approx 340Nm

3,0 173 hp, approx 420 Nm

so 3,0 still has a power advantage.

Correct, more capacity with same tech ought to result in higher power. However, then engines we'll see in the new 2011 models are not simple updates to existing engines to support Euro IV, they're new engine designs altogether. With the advances already made with variable geometry/nozzle turbos, it easy to see why a 3.0L capacity is less relevant moving forward.

Take for example the current Mitsubishi 2.5L TD - in Thailand with a standard turbo and Euro III it makes 140 PS/321 Nm, while the Australian version (sourced from Thailand), using a VGT and running on Euro IV makes 175 PS/400 Nm. Compare that to the current Thai market 3.2L TD @ 165 PS/351 Nm, and consider the savings to be had by supporting one engine variant instead of two, and it becomes easier to understand why the manufacturers are considering 2.5L "enough" moving forward I guess

Euro IV diesel is scheduled to be introduced in LOS 2012, so find it hard to believe these engines will be sold here until this fuel is available. Euro III fuel causes damage on Euro IV vehicle.

Euro IV diesel is mandatory in Thailand by Jan 1, 2012, however, it seems that Euro IV diesel could become available in Thailand well before the Jan 1, 2012 deadline. PTT are currently stating they'll be ready to supply Euro IV in "Late 2011" and a some of the other Thai refiners have already completed their upgrades to produce Euro IV.

The primary difference between the current Euro III diesel in Thailand and Euro IV is the suplhur content - down from 350ppm to 50ppm. This is necessary to achieve the emmissions targets mandated by the Euro 4/IV standards - I've read nothing that suggests that using Euro III in a Euro 4/IV engine has any negative effect outside of increased emmissions .

Can you provide a reference for the damage claim made above katabeachbeachbum? I'd be interested to understand how the additional sulphur (which from a mechanical POV acts as a lubricant) in the fuel could have a negative impact on the engine itself.

Yes, found a solution. Had a Kamaz NBX700 installed at Formula Tech in BKK which interfaces nicely with the Alpine touch screen. Not cheap mind you at 24,000 baht. It uses Speednavi software and maps. In some ways it is far superior to Garmin although it does take a bit getting used to the menus. The big advantage is the upgrades and maps are free.

Interesting.. So I'm guessing from your response that the Kamaz unit interfaces properly with the touch screen in the Pajero Sport GT? I don't suppose you know how many A/V inputs are left after interfacing the navigation? -I ask because I'd also like to add the front+rear cameras as well as a WDTV, so I could be running out of options again with the standard system..

BTW, a quick Google search turned up a vendor selling the Kamaz NBX700 for 16,500 THB - that won't include installation (which shouldn't amount to much), and you may need additional adaptors to fit your unit, but it stands out against the going price from most other vendors (20- 25K). Link to vendor here: http://balanceaudio.thai-forum.net/forum-f1/topic-t31.htm

Hey CDNinkS, did you ever get a final navi solution working in your Pajero Sport?

From what I have been able to determine, the PMB-D100E in conjunction with the PMD-DOK1E (docking adaptor) and PMD-ANT1E (GPS antenna) will achieve full integration with the touch screen. If you don't want/need the ability to use the PMB-D100E as a portable device, I guess you could always hide it under the dash somwhere - though that does seem a terrible waste of money on another LCD screen..

Knowing Alpine pricing I'm expecting this to be prohibitively expensive though.. If it works out too much, it's probably just better to throw away the Alpine system that comes with the car and replace it with something newer altogether (the DVA-9861E is a 2006 year model unit) - in which case you'd be able to get proper iPhone support, USB and Bluetooth as well (apparently impossible on the DVA-9861E no matter how hard you try).

Honda Jazz Hybrid? that should be interesting, wonder how much of a markup over the currrent prices or regular Jazz

That will largely depend on whether the hybrid parts are produced domestically or not and/or whether Honda are able to broker a tax deal similar to what Toyota managed with the Camry Hybrid (i.e. only 10% excise tax on the promise that the hybrid parts would eventually be locally manufactured). Pure speculation at this time.

interesting to see Ford will be introducing the Fiesta, but did i read the price correct at 2 million odd thb?

You read incorrectly. Prices are "expected" to range between 550K - 700K'ish. Judging by their wait-and-see what Nissan's pricing turns out to be (the March must sell for < 500K to qualify as a eco-car), the suggestion is that they will be getting aggressive on Fiesta pricing.

When new models are introduced here in Thailand, what is the effect on resale values of existing models? Would I expect my car to drop dramatically in price because it is suddenly 'the old shape'?

What do you reckon?

Expect an additional drop in the range of ~10% of new vehicle price once a new shape is out.

thanks for the reply. might be a reason to buy a 3.0lt vigo this year then, the 2.5 is a step backwards in the power stakes.

I also understand what you said about the fortuner, but given it also uses the 3.0lt motor, i wonder if it would be scaled back to the smaller diesel, as well?

1. Not so with new 2.5L Euro IV engine that'll be out by the time this happens.

2. Yes. Every light diesel manufacturer in Thailand must comply with Euro IV by 2012.

What about the BMW's.. There is the new 5-series just launched in Europe. Any CKD's expected? I think the X1 would also fit great for the Thai market..

BMW are tight lipped.