24th Thailand Intnl Motor Expo Opens

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24th Thailand Intnl Motor Expo opens

Hopes high for auto expo

BANGKOK: -- With the automobile market still in the red and 10-month sales showing a decline of 5.7 per cent, car companies are hoping that the 24th Thailand International Motor Expo will bring a valuable year-end boost.

Due to rising fuel prices, political uncertainty and a slow economy, auto sales in the first half of the year suffered sharp declines on a monthly basis. Starting in July, sales rebounded, with the market reporting 12.6-per-cent growth in October thanks to the launch of new models, attractive sales promotions and anticipation of the general election.

Promotions and new models offered by the 36 auto brands taking part in the expo, which officially starts today and runs until December 10 at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani, are expected to boost sales further.

Among brands on display, many of which are not represented by the parent company nor distributor but through independent importers, are Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Ferrari, Ford, Grand Carryboy, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Lam-borghini, Lorinser, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Mitsuoka, MTM, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Proton, Skoda, Spyker, Ssangyong, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Show organiser Kwanchai Paphatphong said the sales rebound in the automobile market reflected the growing confidence of consumers in the country's politics.

"However, consumers are looking for lower-priced vehicles, which means that the luxury market may not fully recover," he said.

Kwanchai said the introduction of several models such as the Ford Focus and Honda Accord, which run on E20 gasohol, would also stimulate sales due to the price reduction on such vehicles. Excise duty for vehicles compatible with E20 gasohol, which has a 20-per-cent ethanol content, has been lowered from 30 per cent to 25 per cent.

The expo covers 85,000 square metres - 60,000 inside the Challenger 1-3 halls and another 25,000 outside - and is the largest show of motor vehicles and accessories in Thailand and the second-largest in Asia after the Tokyo Motor Show.

The theme of this year's event is "Future Vehicles Stun the World". Kwanchai said the theme reflected advanced technologies being used and prepared by auto-makers.

Visitors interested in concept vehicles also get a bonus with three companies - Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai - showing off concepts at the show, which is usually known as an auto-sales event rather than one that displays the latest automotive technology.

There are also a large number of exotic cars on display, especially the Bugatti Veyron, a 1,000-horsepower sports car which costs Bt165 million, while shoppers get to see new models such as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Proton Savvy, Subaru Impreza and Volvo S80. Toyota is also showing the new Corolla Altis, although it is still not for sale and is expected to be officially launched next year.

There are also a large number of used cars from major companies such as Toyota and BMW being displayed and up for sale in the main hall.

A total of 1.6 million visitors are expected to come to the expo this year, matching last year's figures. Kwanchai said organisers were giving out 3.3 million free tickets.

--The Nation 2007-11-28