19 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

I should add one more thing about the motor show - way to many PHEVs.

They probably thoughts that a PHEV was a gateway drug to a full EV, but where are they going to fill them up now?

BEV range 600km

PHEV range 100km and dragging that ICE along for the ride will do nothing for efficiency.

For my spouse and me, our PHEV was, indeed, a 'gateway drug'--and I suspect for many, as well, who are hesitant to go full-electric. When we bought, our Bangkok getaway condo (we live in Pattaya) did not have any charging available. We had range anxiety and selected PHEV over full electric.

For our normal, everyday driving around town needs, our Sealion 6 does great and we almost never need to fill the gas tank. We mostly only top up after a trip to Bangkok. Now that we have owned our PHEV for over a year, gotten our toes wet, we know our next car will definitely be all electric. The mystery to me is people still buying ICE vehicles.

I am interested to see how this fuel crisis might increase EV sales in Thailand

January sales https://autolifethailand.tv/register-ev-bev-january-2026-thailand/

but the Feb figures don't seem to be out yet. I did try this link but no joy https://autolifethailand.tv/register-ev-bev-february-2026-thailand/

Anybody see any updates or Motor show reservations please post them

A clearer link to the numbers can be seen online then click the magnify https://autolifethailand.tv/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EV_Register_JAN_2026-table-1920x4561.jpg

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

I am interested to see how this fuel crisis might increase EV sales in Thailand

This fake crisis is different from previous price gouging, as they turned off the pumps. That should wake a few people up that were on the fence.

Well, @Bandersnatch has me beat hands down by a factor of 2......lol

Nothing earth-shattering new in my small niche of interest, but always impressive how far ahead Chinese vehicles are - case in point, there was a Lexus close in size to the 7X, double the price with lower specs, but most disappointing for customers must be the massive lower quality level of materials in the Lexus: lots of plastic in places that are covered with leatherette in Chinese cars, and the faux-leather really looks cheap. Similarly, the THB 30 million Audi RS7 just does not look as impressive anymore - 20 years ago Audi set the benchmark for interior designs and materials, now they clearly passed that baton to to the Far East.

Conversely, I had the Zeekr saleslady take pictures of my 2.5 years old Seal AWD and she kept saying was - 'Looks like new......'

As for the Zeekr 7X - as was sadly predictable, that sales staff on the Zeekr booth either were oblivious or played their part, but to the question about a projected arrival of the 2026 7X on our shores I got only blank stares.

To my surprise, when I asked again the same question to our saleslady at the dealer on the way home - she acknowledged and confirmed that China has moved to a minor update, but raised serious doubts we would see it by the end of the year. A couple more information nuggets she volunteered - the 7X sales are concentrated in the LR model, not the AWD, the additional range is cited as the main deciding factor. Secondly, the car I selected arrived just 2 weeks ago from China, probably part of restocking for the show.

Thailand is a curious place for new car sales - buying new cars is almost forced to the 2 exhibitions every year because all the goodies that are offered during this time forces buyers to wait for either show - to wit, in addition to what has become 'expected', right now the 7X is offered with ceramic coating from the dealer!

On 2/10/2026 at 7:36 PM, Pib said:

Yea, yea, I know....this thread is for EVs in Thailand but I bet the upgraded BYD 3 Atto with 800V EVO charging, significantly more horsepower, significantly bigger battery (probably with Blade V2.0 batteries), and significantly longer range in RWD and AWD will release in Thailand in the last half of this year/2026. Will make my 2023 Atto Extended range, 400V charging, less horsepower, original blade batteries, and less range look like an old man.

See weblink for full details/article.

https://www.car250.com/byd-atto-3-evo.html

UPDATE:

Based on below 27 Mar 2026 article it looks like the upgraded Atto 3 with 800V charging, bigger motor(s), RWD, AWD, etc., may not be coming to Asian markets like Thailand anytime soon after all....only China and Europe to get the major upgraded model.

Thailand will need to continue with last year's models (or the year before that), hand-me-down EV models versus the "lastest-and-greatest" models like sold in mainland China and sometimes Europe.

https://www.car250.com/byd-atto-3-minor-change-hongkong.html

Regarding the latest-and-greatest model/version being sold in Thailand when I was at the Motor Show yesterday I asked a Zeekr and a BYD rep (both could speak pretty fair English) when the latest version (MY2026) of the Zeekr 7X and BYD Sealion 7, respectively, would arrive Thailand. They looked at me like I was asking them to divulge Top Secret company info, gave me a Deer In The Headlights look, etc.

Before asking that question I figured I wouldn't get any definitive answer since their job is to sell "current" models and sell them ASAP....they know telling a potential customer the next model is expected to arrive Thailand say 4 months from now (just for discussion purposes) would almost always result in "no sell today....no commission now, the customer waiting 4 months to buy, etc." Yea, I didn't really expect any definitive answer...and that's exactly what I got.

And on a lighter note the number of "pretties" standing next to new vehicles this year at the Motor Show is far less than what the Motor Expo had in December. ☹️

On 3/24/2026 at 7:14 PM, motdaeng said:

my guess is that the mazda 6e will sell very well at that reasonable price ...

On 3/24/2026 at 4:04 PM, matchar said:

The Mazda 6e price came out quite reasonable in the end.

https://autolifethailand.tv/official-price-mazda6e-ev-bev-thailand/

It's a decent looking car inside and out, and I like Mazda as a brand (plus have a dealer close by).

However reading the article I discovered that it's not actually a Mazda, but just a re-badged Changan ...

It is a collaboration between Mazda - ChangAn that brings the platform of Deepal L07 to be newly developed as Mazda EZ-6 or Global Name, using the name Mazda6e for the market outside China, including Thailand. Mazda6e is sold in Thailand. Produced at the ChangAn Mazda Automobile factory in Nanjing, China, Nanjing, China

Reminds me of the Chevrolet Optra that was the name in Thailand for the Daewoo Lacetti ... once the Thai market found out it was a Daewoo, that was the kiss of death [I was doing some work with GM back then].

19 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

but just a re-badged Changan ...

I wouldn’t say “just” I see that as a plus!

18 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I wouldn’t say “just” I see that as a plus!

Major plus, as we certainly wouldn't have bought a MG BEV if not made by CN. Can't think of anything I'd buy that was made in Europe or the USA. CN simply does it better and cheaper.

Some of the best selling cars are joint ventures with CN or JP. JP more so in the past now, and especially in the USA market.

42 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

It's a decent looking car inside and out, and I like Mazda as a brand (plus have a dealer close by).

However reading the article I discovered that it's not actually a Mazda, but just a re-badged Changan ...

Yes is similar to a Deepal and probably has most of the same software.

If Mazda supports it in the same way they do their ICE cars, then you can both take away the uncertainties around buying from a new brand. This would include warranty support and parts availability.

There are emerging horror stories out there we should all be aware of. NETA comes to mind in Thailand but there are others.

16 minutes ago, Tramboy said:

Yes is similar to a Deepal and probably has most of the same software.

If Mazda supports it in the same way they do their ICE cars, then you can both take away the uncertainties around buying from a new brand. This would include warranty support and parts availability.

There are emerging horror stories out there we should all be aware of. NETA comes to mind in Thailand but there are others.

NETA TH is far from a horror story, especially those that pick one up for <400k even <300k during that little speed bump.

TH govt/excise dept, is making sure the honor their commitments. Google this for more info ... "thailand government ensures neta thailand meets commitments"

Any 300k, 400k or 500k baht BEV held for just it's warranty period, will probably have paid for itself in petrol savings. Especially if racking up the kms. We see a lot of Neta Vs on the highways when O&A.

12 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

NETA TH is far from a horror story, especially those that pick one up for <400k even <300k during that little speed bump.

TH govt/excise dept, is making sure the honor their commitments. Google this for more info ... "thailand government ensures neta thailand meets commitments"

Any 300k, 400k or 500k baht BEV held for just it's warranty period, will probably have paid for itself in petrol savings. Especially if racking up the kms. We see a lot of Neta Vs on the highways when O&A.

With Neta now selling very few vehicles in Thailand I expect they are close to the end....they been threading water for around a year now. Ministry of Finance has started legal action to sue Neta to recover 2 billion baht in govt subsidies. See weblink below for full story....some partial quotes below....as of mid Jan 2026.

https://carwikihub.com/blogs/thai-finance-ministry-sues-neta-ev-subsidies/

The Thai Ministry of Finance announced plans to file a civil lawsuit against Neta Auto Thailand, the local subsidiary of Chinese electric‑vehicle (EV) brand Neta, in order to reclaim more than 2 billion baht (approximately US$63.7 million) in government subsidies paid since 2022.

Legal Action and Potential Consequences

The Ministry intends to pursue the case through civil litigation, seeking not only repayment of the subsidies but also the possible freezing of Neta Auto Thailand’s assets and bank accounts. If the court rules in favour of the government, authorities will gain the legal basis to seize the company’s assets within Thailand to recover the funds.

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

NETA TH is far from a horror story, especially those that pick one up for <400k even <300k during that little speed bump.

TH govt/excise dept, is making sure the honor their commitments. Google this for more info ... "thailand government ensures neta thailand meets commitments"

Any 300k, 400k or 500k baht BEV held for just it's warranty period, will probably have paid for itself in petrol savings. Especially if racking up the kms. We see a lot of Neta Vs on the highways when O&A.

March 27, 2026

One dealer has 80 NETA Vii at 299,000 baht (Kbank is now accepting financing) from the original price of 569,000 baht (Note: No warranty, new car, ready to use but sold as is). https://www.matichon.co.th/economy/auto/news_5651850

40 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

March 27, 2026

One dealer has 80 NETA Vii at 299,000 baht (Kbank is now accepting financing) from the original price of 569,000 baht (Note: No warranty, new car, ready to use but sold as is). https://www.matichon.co.th/economy/auto/news_5651850

If I was in the market for a sedan, that would be pretty hard to pass up. Beats buying a 2nd hand ICEV for 300k.

58 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

March 27, 2026

One dealer has 80 NETA Vii at 299,000 baht (Kbank is now accepting financing) from the original price of 569,000 baht (Note: No warranty, new car, ready to use but sold as is). https://www.matichon.co.th/economy/auto/news_5651850

Buy it, my Neta v is amazing, had it 8 months and zero problems. Purchased mine 2 years old with 24k on the clock for 220kbht. Wasn't confident at the time, buying a car with the original company gone, but no regrets so far. Just had it's 30k service for 1,600bht.

11 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

I am interested to see how this fuel crisis might increase EV sales in Thailand

January sales https://autolifethailand.tv/register-ev-bev-january-2026-thailand/

but the Feb figures don't seem to be out yet. I did try this link but no joy https://autolifethailand.tv/register-ev-bev-february-2026-thailand/

Anybody see any updates or Motor show reservations please post them

A clearer link to the numbers can be seen online then click the magnify https://autolifethailand.tv/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EV_Register_JAN_2026-table-1920x4561.jpg

In February 2026, the number of newly registered Battery Electric Vehicles 
(BEVs)

Passenger cars: 4,776 units
Passenger vehicles (up to 7 seats): 27 units

https://www.fti.or.th/News/details?id=1250

Sure looks like EVs are all the rage....... just look at Ford

New EV’s at the 2026 Bangkok Motorshow.

For those unable to attend here is a summing up from thaiautonews in English.

11 hours ago, mistral53 said:

Sure looks like EVs are all the rage....... just look at Ford

According to the chart BYD never made it into the top 22 sellers despite a huge display, deep discounts and new models.

Notable also for it's absence is Isuzu. The timing of the war couldn't have come at a worse time for them.

What's going on with the chat or with BYD?

32 minutes ago, Tramboy said:

According to the chart BYD never made it into the top 22 sellers despite a huge display, deep discounts and new models.

Notable also for it's absence is Isuzu. The timing of the war couldn't have come at a worse time for them.

What's going on with the chat or with BYD?

At the bottom of the page

Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Isuzu, Jeep, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, TESLA, Volvo, CHERY, NIO, BYD, DENZA: Last day for bookings.

only release their numbers on the last day of the Motor show

BYD generally don’t release early figures, you need to wait until the end of the show to see how they performed, I predict they will be number two after Toyota.

Some vehicles manufacturers do not report bookings during a motor show event like the Motor Expo 2025 a few months ago or the ongoing Motor Show 2026; they will only report bookings upon conclusion of the event "if" they have policy to report bookings at all.

A few manufacturers have a policy of not even reporting bookings. Polices vary among vehicle manufacturers as to "when and if" they report bookings....guess it depends on how the manufacturer executives feel how beneficial (or non-beneficial) such reporting is....it can be double edge sword.

What the "event organizer" will often do to try to fill-in the booking holes created by those manufacturers who delay or do not directly report bookings (or do not report at all) as the organizer will try to create a booking "estimate" based customers who enroll in an event "win a car/some prize contest" only available to those who book/reserve a car during the event period.

Example: a person books/reserves a new vehicle during the motor show event period which allows the person to register for some "prize/contest"....only those which can prove they booked a vehicle can complete the prize registration process. Proof is typically a scanned/uploaded copy of a booking, some QR code/other code possibly issued during the booking, etc. Since the prize registration is via an event organizer controlled website (not a vehicle manufacturer website) if say 200 people registered yesterday proving they booked say a BYD vehicle (or whatever brand) the event organizer uses that as a booking number estimate although the vehicle manufacturer did not report any booking number per their policy. I expect most anyone who booked a vehicle and had proof of doing such would register for the prize/contest...heck, I would if spending just a few minutes of registering a booking could result in me winning a car, some big cash amount, just some nice prize, etc., although I know my chances of winning are low---I'm only human.

Also, keep in mind these bookings typically represent not only booking occurring right a the motor show event location (like the Impact Arena in Nonthaburi) but also booking from across Thailand/at each dealership during the motor show event timeframe. Collecting the booking/reservation numbers "daily" from numerous dealerships across the country (like BYD which has over a 100 dealerships) is mostly likely not as easy of a task you might think it should be especially when some dealerships might be slow reporters, make errors in reporting, etc. In such cases it might be best just to have the dealership report to headquarters "one time" for effort/efficiency purposes which would be the morning after the motor show concluded...and then the dealerships headquarters provides a number to the event organizer if the vehicle manufacturer has such a policy.

So, take these press releases saying "X-amount of motor show event bookings so far" with a BIG grain of salt as they may be ballpark, best-guess numbers not always based on "direct reporting from the vehicle manufacturer to the event organizer." I think most people have heard the phrase of "close enough for government work'.....well, maybe these motor show booking numbers should be considered "close enough for motor show press release purposes."

11 hours ago, Tramboy said:

According to the chart BYD never made it into the top 22 sellers despite a huge display, deep discounts and new models.

Notable also for it's absence is Isuzu. The timing of the war couldn't have come at a worse time for them.

What's going on with the chat or with BYD?

As stated above, have to wait until the end of the Motor Show to get the full picture.

What I find interesting is the position of Honda in the current booking table, normally up there in the top 3 they appear to be struggling currently.

Lack of Honda innovation or the EV trend expanding ??

I would say a bit of both !

Also the price.

I tossed up between the Honda SUV AWD (because we had a 14 year old Honda SUV) and the SL7 and for the features Honda couldn't compete.

Think they missed to EV boat.

On 3/27/2026 at 1:06 PM, Pib said:

Before asking that question I figured I wouldn't get any definitive answer since their job is to sell "current" models and sell them ASAP....they know telling a potential customer the next model is expected to arrive Thailand say 4 months from now (just for discussion purposes) would almost always result in "no sell today....no commission now, the customer waiting 4 months to buy, etc." Yea, I didn't really expect any definitive answer...and that's exactly what I got.

If I was sales director I'd make damn sure the sales force did not know the availability of new models. They can find out via press releases, same as everyone else :)

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

What I find interesting is the position of Honda in the current booking table, normally up there in the top 3 they appear to be struggling currently.

Lack of Honda innovation or the EV trend expanding ??

I would say a bit of both !

Last year Honda had new facelift of the HRV.

This year, they are carrying their "old" range into the show making it hard for them.

And they had the Prelude on show is not on sale yet.

Interestingly, the Changan L07, Mazda 6 looks very good and kills both the Accord and the Camry on price. And the E:N2 at 1,429,000 looks very expensive. Same the Toyota HiLux EV and the Isuzu D-Max EV pickup.

Regarding "PHEVs" although BYD had a terrible "Feb" 2026 sales month of only 295 total vehicles registered (but Jan was fantastic for them) of those 295 Feb registrations the BYD Sealion 6 "PHEV" (1.5L ICE engine and electric motor with18Kw EV battery for around 90-100Km of EV Only range) was BYD's best seller for Feb.

But remember, the first few months of each year has typically shown wildly variable/distorted registration numbers due to end of year promotions, holidays like Chinese New Year, and other factors which typically causes HIGH Jan registrations and LOW Feb registrations for most brands/models.

Below car250 new release has a variety of registration info for Feb 2026....some partial quotes below....go to weblink for full details.

https://www.car250.com/february-th-2026.html