1 hour ago, keemapoot said:

But, when one goes down, sure there is a long wait to get it fixed. All the Chinese brands are opening showrooms and services centers like mad country-wide.

Showrooms are indeed opening-up left and right...and lots of promises of having good service support....a dealership opening up close to you soon, etc. HOWEVER, showrooms are nothing more than a mobile, temporary building constructed in just a few weeks (including the concrete foundation) which typically displays just a few models (like two vehicles) and a small administrative office. Or worst yet, jut a rented stall in a mall. It's basically "a worm on a hook" just to make the sale.

But a service center is a different story....that means hydraulic lifts, tools, testing equipment, trained technicians and logistics staff, parts storage area, much more electrical power, etc. Months and months of facility construction and big baht to construct unless a legacy ICE dealership is bought-out which overcomes the majority of facility construction timeframe.

All dealerships are not created equal....some are just showrooms while others are combo showroom & service center. And even when it comes to service centers you have those centers which can do basic maintenance but if "serious maintenance and/or body repair/paint" is required then that is usually handled at another specialized/BIG service center.

A buyer should consider after sales follow-on support when making a vehicle buy as all vehicles do require minor or major (i.e., something breaks) maintenance. If you bought your vehicle at a little showroom in Nakhon Nowhere but the nearest vehicle service center is hours/hundreds of kilometers away that can be a problematic and frustrating situation. Heck, just being an hour/50km away would be frustrating to me.

For minor maintenance issues that causes some people just to put-up with the issue (creating frustration with the brand/model) vs driving the car to the service center--and maybe having to leave it at the far-off service center for days or longer. The person will just wait and hope the issue can be rectified at the next scheduled checkup that occurs every year or two...or 20,000 km or more.

Yeap, EVs are definitely more reliable than ICE/Hybrid vehicle based on stats but EVs still require X-level of service support.

7 minutes ago, Pib said:

But a service center is a different story....that means hydraulic lifts, tools, testing equipment, trained technicians and logistics staff, parts storage area, much more electrical power, etc. Months and months of facility construction and big baht to construct unless a legacy ICE dealership is bought-out which overcomes the majority of facility construction timeframe.

You are entirely correct. In that respect, speaking of Korat, Zeekr has purchased the former main Chevrolet dealership/repair center and is currently under construction/remodeling outfitting etc.. This seems even more extensive a center than the BYD or MG operations in town and appears to be much larger than the Geely, Jaecoo, Omoda, Aion, Deepal and others which I have seen locally. I agree that this is a major factor and probably determinant when deciding which brand to buy.

2 hours ago, keemapoot said:

Yes, those are things to consider, but the design issue and interior are subjective, however I agree with you on the service issue for those living in Nakhon nowhere. Last week, Tesla just opened a new showroom in Korat (flooded with customers and test drivers), and announced they will open a service center too early next year. But Tesla needs almost no service, not even yearly as most Chinese EVs do. But, when one goes down, sure there is a long wait to get it fixed. All the Chinese brands are opening showrooms and services centers like mad country-wide.

As I try to comb the internet for stories of Tesla owners for 10 years or more, only Model 3 has been around that long introduced in 2016, and results are good but mixed also. So, perhaps the impression that Tesla is more usable over longer term is not justified either. Maybe any Chinese EV brand is just as usable longer term...nobody knows yet.

I think it's all about how the battery tech has progressed the last 4 years, since they moved away from old, to LFP. New models in the market, BYD seems addicted with a few every year. MG not so much. Two of the major players, with Geely being around long time also. Other upstarts, need to use caution.

BYD with their newest Blade version, and MG with CATL's newest tech.

The thought crossed my mind this morning, as we contemplate getting the MG Urban, with CATL's latest battery tech. It really is too practical a car to pass up, and a really low price point. But what will come out next year, and what price points in the future, as subsidies disappear.

Thinking should we just wait a year or 2, and get a 2nd hand Urban, (Buddha forbid, not new) or the next new version of battery in the next shiny new MG. The price is a major motivator, as I really can't see sub ฿500k pricing in the future, and with Lifetime Warranty, something also unique to TH's market, just makes it too practical for us. Got another week or so to mull it over, but don't think our mind is going to change.

Spec wise, just a tad better than our ZS, and even dimension wise, a tad bit larger, except height, a whole 2 cm less ground clearance 140mm vs 160mm, and worse of all, it's not an SUV. The social stigma may be too much for us in public 🤣

I'm just not a car person, and as impressive as some are, no way would I be able to justify the higher prices in my practical, thrifty thinking mind. A car is still a machine, for point A to B. No, I couldn't go back to ICEV, but see no reason to go IM6, Cyberstar or Z7. The ZS was silly priced as it was back then.

I think having 2 EVs in the carport, is silly enough, as the wife wants to keep the ZS. I'm kind of partial to it myslelf, but thinking future for the wife, and her truly last car with lifetime warranty.

Happy shopping & motoring, options abound. A great time to buy, or wait till next auto show, at end of the year.

Edited July 14Jul 14 by KhunLA

23 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I think having 2 EVs in the carport, is silly enough, as the wife wants to keep the ZS. I'm kind of partial to it myslelf, but thinking future for the wife, and her truly last car with lifetime warranty.

All good points, especially MG with the incredible lifetime motor and battery warranty - truly incredible. For me, soon to retire later this year, all those points are points to consider. I recently installed a full solar system on our large house with battery backup and an ev charger in the carport. I have run the numbers on owning EVs, hybrids, diesels, fuel costs, maintenance costs, insurance costs, and realistic ownership length before buying new (10 years at longest ownership length) as we like to drive newer cars. We rotate two cars, with about five years in between buying new. I don't consider resale, because we have family who buys all our cars at reduced prices when we are ready to buy new.

49 minutes ago, keemapoot said:

All good points, especially MG with the incredible lifetime motor and battery warranty - truly incredible. For me, soon to retire later this year, all those points are points to consider. I recently installed a full solar system on our large house with battery backup and an ev charger in the carport. I have run the numbers on owning EVs, hybrids, diesels, fuel costs, maintenance costs, insurance costs, and realistic ownership length before buying new (10 years at longest ownership length) as we like to drive newer cars. We rotate two cars, with about five years in between buying new. I don't consider resale, because we have family who buys all our cars at reduced prices when we are ready to buy new.

Proir to the ZS EV, we kept ICEV about 7 yrs, then a new one, since 2nd hand prices used to be silly here, along with not knowing if something was sitting in flood water or not. All served us well, but I just don't trust them, and we're O&A too much in Nakhon Nowhere to break down.

EV motors simply aren't going to, anytime soon. When the ZS warranty expires in 4 ish yrs, it won't be worth anything anyway. Actually the battery will be worth more than the resale value of whole car. Probably 40kWh left, and that's not cheap if buying for your solar system. Fine repurpose use if rest of the car craps out.

We'll keep them both till they die, or wife dies first, though she'll only be 50 next month. I'll be long gone before either dies probably. All the cars I killed, who ever though one might out live me

Edited July 14Jul 14 by KhunLA

Headlightmag made a details review of the IM5 https://www.headlightmag.com/2026-07-14-picture-specs-mg-im5-premium-long-range-rwd/ I found things I didnt know, hehehe.

if anyone interested. rumors say an updated IM6 is coming early next year, IM5 2 years or more for a refresh in Thailand.

But the IM5 is just so nice to drive. a bit too soft/comfort suspension with annoying software at car start, but everything else all is awesome. specially the sound system, it's insane!!! sounds just amazing.

Edited July 14Jul 14 by brfsa2

Toyota owns Lexus...another sign that Toyota is slowly expanding its EV offerings.

https://autolifethailand.tv/all-new-lexus-es-es350h-es350e-es500e-coming-thailand/

20 hours ago, Pib said:

Toyota owns Lexus...another sign that Toyota is slowly expanding its EV offerings.

https://autolifethailand.tv/all-new-lexus-es-es350h-es350e-es500e-coming-thailand/

The are people willing to pay for Lexus EV. But me I'd rather put the same money on a MB and still have much left to convert 10 years of insurance.

On 7/17/2026 at 10:20 AM, brfsa2 said:

The are people willing to pay for Lexus EV. But me I'd rather put the same money on a MB and still have much left to convert 10 years of insurance.

I love Lexus and have owned two (outside Thailand). But in Thailand they are stupid crazy expensive because of the import tax. That ES model is currently around 3mil, and the RX is currently around 4.5Mil, and that is before electrification. The top model Tesla Y L that competes with the RX is 2Mil (2.3 spec'd out), so it's a no brainer and I call Lexus buyers in US or most other countries intelligent, but in Thailand only stupid money or money to burn buys Lexus.

EV drive trains (engine, transmission, supporting electronics, etc) continue to become more integrated and efficient. See below Geely announcement about their new 16-in-1 drive system. For comparison the original BYD drive system like in my 2023 Atto 3 uses an 8-in-1 drive system. Just a few years can make a big difference in the technology you drive around in.

Not only does these new, more integrated/compact drive systems lower the cost of EV manufacturing at the same time it can make repair more costly if the maintenance concept is just replace the "whole assembly" (like how EV batteries are replaced) vs attempting (or allowing) local disassembly & repair.

Oh well, technology marches on while making it harder for local garage/repair shops to work on EVs (and even ICEV) due to available parts, proprietary maintenance data, trained technicians. Creates a captured audience for the brand's service center. And also insures the "backyard, shade tree mechanic" continues to RIP....or is limited to "wax on, wax off" maintenance.

To say it again," Oh well, technology marches on...."

https://www.car250.com/geely-galaxy-tt-2026-7.html

***********************************************

Edited July 21Jul 21 by Pib

For those who prefer a sedan/saloon/shooting brake style EV (5,180mm l...o....n.....g) with tons of horsepower and 1,500KW DC charging your next EV is almost here....time to go trade-in that BYD Sealion 7 AWD or MG IM5 you just bought so you can get the Denza Z9GT launching in Thailand Aug 2026. Didn't see a price in below article but AI says it will probably be around Bt2.9M.

https://autolifethailand.tv/denza-z9gt-ev-bev-high-performance-july-2026-thailand/

3 hours ago, Pib said:

time to go trade-in that BYD Sealion 7 AWD or MG IM5 you just bought so you can get the Denza Z9GT launching in Thailand Aug 2026

well, first of all, where can you even use half of that power?

the IM5 with 407HP is I think good enough 😅

I saw in headlightmag, he tested top speed of IM5 and reached 254km/h. That's kind of insane to do in Thailand, I thought it should be locked at 220km/h.

the Mazda 6E photos review is out in Autolife (https://autolifethailand.tv/photo-mazda6e-ev-bev-thailand/), and it looks stunning! might not be powerful enough for the heavy footers, if it was 800V, would be just perfect.

5 hours ago, brfsa2 said:

well, first of all, where can you even use half of that power?

the IM5 with 407HP is I think good enough 😅

I saw in headlightmag, he tested top speed of IM5 and reached 254km/h. That's kind of insane to do in Thailand, I thought it should be locked at 220km/h.

the Mazda 6E photos review is out in Autolife (https://autolifethailand.tv/photo-mazda6e-ev-bev-thailand/), and it looks stunning! might not be powerful enough for the heavy footers, if it was 800V, would be just perfect.

It's easy to use all of that power. By the time you're doing 60-80kmhr, you can get all that power down quite easily and high-speed overtaking becomes a dream.

SL7 Side Mirror Closing Problem

Been having trouble with the RHS side mirror fully closing (probably hit by a motorbike somewhere).

Sprayed with some WD40, didn't fix it so went to the dealer the other day. He said SL7s have this side mirror problem.

He did like a chiropractor manoeuvre, pulled the side mirror all the way open (crack), that fixed it (for now).

Check this out: https://autolifethailand.tv/news-tokypo-will-raise-subsidy-for-ev-and-phev-buyer/

EV cars are really cheaper now in Japan, look what you can get there vs here.

1. The Nissan Sakura EV, JP: 240,000 Baht

2. The Toyota BZ4X, JP: 735,000 baht, vs TH: 1,529,000 Baht

3. The Honda Super One EV, 438,000 Baht

4. The Tesla Model Y, JP: 900,000 baht. vs TH: 1,719,000 Baht

After nearly 3,000 km on the IM5 since I got it for 3 weeks, the energy consumption is really good, just like the Atto3.

I've been getting 14.3 to 16.0 kW/100km driving mostly 90% highway between 100-130 km/h.

With the Atto3 my daily usage was 50-60% battery, but now in the IM5 it's 30-35% a day of battery used.

Also, similar to the BYD where you can switch info display to show things like tire pressure, the IM5 has only the extra G-Force monitor which is kinda cool.

4 hours ago, carlyai said:

SL7 Side Mirror Closing Problem

Been having trouble with the RHS side mirror fully closing (probably hit by a motorbike somewhere).

Sprayed with some WD40, didn't fix it so went to the dealer the other day. He said SL7s have this side mirror problem.

He did like a chiropractor manoeuvre, pulled the side mirror all the way open (crack), that fixed it (for now).

Mine has the same problem, it’s intermittent, it closes when it wants to

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

Mine has the same problem, it’s intermittent, it closes when it wants to

Yep that's the problem, mechanic just pulled it fully open on both sides, he said that's the fix. Only the SL7 he said.

58 minutes ago, brfsa2 said:

After nearly 3,000 km on the IM5 since I got it for 3 weeks, the energy consumption is really good, just like the Atto3.

I've been getting 14.3 to 16.0 kW/100km driving mostly 90% highway between 100-130 km/h.

With the Atto3 my daily usage was 50-60% battery, but now in the IM5 it's 30-35% a day of battery used.

Also, similar to the BYD where you can switch info display to show things like tire pressure, the IM5 has only the extra G-Force monitor which is kinda cool.

Now that G force is really cool.

I remember pulling 3 to 4 G in a trainer doing loops and rolls, you're like paralysed.

Even though those fighter boys have a G suit, I think they pull 8 or 9 Gs. Testicles would be on the fuselage floor. :)

1 hour ago, brfsa2 said:

the IM5 has only the extra G-Force monitor which is kinda cool.

Useful I suppose if you park on the side of a hill.

1 hour ago, brfsa2 said:

Check this out: https://autolifethailand.tv/news-tokypo-will-raise-subsidy-for-ev-and-phev-buyer/

EV cars are really cheaper now in Japan, look what you can get there vs here.

1. The Nissan Sakura EV, JP: 240,000 Baht

2. The Toyota BZ4X, JP: 735,000 baht, vs TH: 1,529,000 Baht

3. The Honda Super One EV, 438,000 Baht

4. The Tesla Model Y, JP: 900,000 baht. vs TH: 1,719,000 Baht

Fine if you live in JP, and actually want to own one of those. None would be my choice, and none come with lifetime warranty, like some in TH offer. Nissan, Toyota, Hondo, NO THANKS, and high cost to maintain a Tesla, NO THANKS, again.

"EVs in TH" ... who cares what other countries offer. Could always start a new thread ... "what other countries offer, but nobody from TH wants to buy"

I wouldn't buy a new BEV without a 'lifetime warranty', that's just stupid, unless you change vehicles ever few years anyway.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by KhunLA

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

"EVs in TH" ... who cares what other countries offer. Could always start a new thread ... "what other countries offer, but nobody from TH wants to buy"

I care, glad the OP posted and it is interesting (to me at least) to cost compare to other countries. Presumptuous to state “who cares…” too.

9 minutes ago, TimBKK said:

I care, glad the OP posted and it is interesting (to me at least) to cost compare to other countries. Presumptuous to state “who cares…” too.

I don't come to a forum topic titled 'EVs in TH' , and if read the OP, that's is the topic, what's available, what's coming & comment for & about.

If I wanted to know what's availbale and pricing in other countries I'm not going to visit of live in, then I'd google. Just saying.

7 hours ago, carlyai said:

SL7 Side Mirror Closing Problem

Been having trouble with the RHS side mirror fully closing (probably hit by a motorbike somewhere).

Sprayed with some WD40, didn't fix it so went to the dealer the other day. He said SL7s have this side mirror problem.

He did like a chiropractor manoeuvre, pulled the side mirror all the way open (crack), that fixed it (for now).

3 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Mine has the same problem, it’s intermittent, it closes when it wants to

So far I haven't had this problem on my SL7. HOWEVER, I don't have it set to auto close; I only close when I want by pushing the button which is not often.

I did go do a test after reading your posts....I pressed to open & close the mirrors about a half dozen times and they worked fine.

But hey, with an intermittent issue things can work fine for days/weeks/months and then start messing up out of the blue....then start working fine again.

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I don't come to a forum topic titled 'EVs in TH' , and if read the OP, that's is the topic, what's available, what's coming & comment for & about.

If I wanted to know what's availbale and pricing in other countries I'm not going to visit of live in, then I'd google. Just saying.

go bitching somewhere dude

i write what I like, and if you dont like go crying like a bithch somewhere else.

1 hour ago, brfsa2 said:

go bitching somewhere dude

i write what I like, and if you dont like go crying like a bithch somewhere else.

... that was not very nice of you ...

54 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

... that was not very nice of you ...

To be fair neither was the comment that no one is interested and "go start a thread somewhere else". It was related to EVs in Thailand as it was comparing cost. Fair comment.

33 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

To be fair neither was the comment that no one is interested and "go start a thread somewhere else". It was related to EVs in Thailand as it was comparing cost. Fair comment.

thanks for your post. you're right.

i should correct my post: it was not very nice of either of these two naughty boys ... 😄

10 hours ago, carlyai said:

Now that G force is really cool.

I remember pulling 3 to 4 G in a trainer doing loops and rolls, you're like paralysed.

Even though those fighter boys have a G suit, I think they pull 8 or 9 Gs. Testicles would be on the fuselage floor. :)

My first full EV, a German car, had a G-force meter, it was as useful as a chocolate fireguard. After discovering it, it was never used again.

This car250 article shows a gazillion interior and exterior pictures of the Denza Z9GT. I'm still trying to decide whether to buy one Z9 at Bt3M or six compact EVs at around Bt500K each....tough choice. 😁

https://www.car250.com/denza-z9gt-2026-th-11.html