'model Car' To Be Unveiled Soon

[george]

'Model car' to be unveiled soon

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's prototyped energy saving car, called the 'model car', will be unveiled soon when the government is launching a new campaign to promote energy saving nationwide.

Industry Minister Watana Muangsook told journalists here this morning that the style of the awaited 'model car' would be finalized by this week.

"The Ministry of Industry will, thereafter, discuss a production plan of the 'model car' with an automobile manufacturer, which may be Toyota Motor Co.", he disclosed.

The government plans to encourage government agencies and taxis to firstly use the prototyped energy saving car, according to Mr. Watana.

Details of the plan would officially be announced shortly, said the minister.

The introduction of the 'model car' is part of the government's efforts to promote energy saving among motorists, as well as offices and households across the nation when the country is facing rising trade deficit due mostly to increased oil imports.

--TNA 2005-06-03

[dr_Pat_Pong]

or maybe even Shinawatra Motor Corporation

[chuchok]

Here is a pic of the new model to be tested by the boys in brown...

[Abandon]

5555555555555555555555555555555

[Thetyim]

[Digger]

Why dont they buy the Rover production line sitting idle in sunny Birmingham and just make local versions of small rover cars. 1.0L -1.3L engines would save a lot of gas, put the site down in the southern troubled provinces and hey presto, instant positive PR for the leader, loads of jobs where they need them and further credibility for the Detroit of the East...

[samran]

Why dont they buy the Rover production line sitting idle in sunny Birmingham and just make local versions of small rover cars.    1.0L -1.3L engines would save a lot of gas, put the site down in the southern troubled provinces and hey presto, instant positive PR for the leader, loads of jobs where they need them and further credibility for the Detroit of the East...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

cause then they -shock horror - would have to lower tariffs on imported cars. Taksin's 'mates' wouldn't have their sheltered home market opened to competiton.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Here is a pic of the new model to be tested by the boys in brown...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How can two cops get on that together ?

[Jeff Jarvis]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The cries for alternative personal transport are getting louder and louder.

THINK FOWARD...

[Thetyim]

I agree one must think FORWARD.

Before mounting a segway always think first

" Do I want really want to like like a dick head"

[Jeff Jarvis]

I agree one must think FORWARD.

Before mounting a segway always think first

" Do I want really want to like like a dick head"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Contributions to the discussion like the above are worthless, add nothing to the conversation and should be removed by the moderators.

Dragging the discussion into the gutter is a pastime for some around here, sad.

[aletta]

I would imagine the specifications will be slanted to favour the Japanese producers.

[Digger]

I would imagine the specifications will be slanted to favour the Japanese producers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And why not - given that they are pretty much the only ones other than GM to actually have invested any substantial money into Thailand for vehicle manufacturing, as against European companies importing kit cars to be assembled here.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I would imagine the specifications will be slanted to favour the Japanese producers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[aletta]

Maybe i should think before i type.

[george]

Update:

'S Car' to be materialized in one month

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government has concluded its design on 'energy saving car', or 'model car', dubbed 'S Car', and will make the project be materialized within one month, Industry Minister Watana Muangsook has announced.

Mr. Watana told journalists here yesterday that the government had planned to use a tax incentive to encourage motorists and agencies to use the 'S Car'.

"The government wants government agencies and taxi drivers to use the 'S Car' first, and hope this will be followed suit by other motorists", he said.

The minister noted that the government would raise excise taxes on various types of pick-up trucks to offset a reduced tax revenue from the 'model car'.

"The planned excise tax increase on pick up trucks, around 2-3 percent, or about Bt8,000-10,000 each, depending on their models, will have a minimal effect on the trucks' owners, when compared to the prices of the trucks they decide to purchase", the minister said.(

--TNA 2005-06-09

[frenchFARANGbkk]

I agree one must think FORWARD.

Before mounting a segway always think first

" Do I want really want to like like a dick head"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We cannot say that people on a segway look like dick head?

So you are still trying to rent this machine ?! ;-)

[Nordlys]

I would expect what is called "K-car" that has long been sold in Japan introduced to Thai market.

Definition of K-car in Japan;

1. Engine displacement no more than 660cc

2. Length no more than 3.4m

3. Width no more than 1.48m

4. Height no more than 2.0m

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/index.html

http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/showroom/lineup/index.htm

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/choice/...ry/minivehicle/

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/japan/lineup/kei.html

http://www.nissan.co.jp/CARLINEUP/index2.html

Also available from Mazda but not Toyota...

[george]

Update:

Thailand pushes Japan on ‘eco-car”

TOKYO: -- Japan's car makers are prepared to invest in Thailand’s planned energy-efficient car, according to Thai government officials.

Thailand would provide attractive investment incentives for the S-car, according to the Industry Minister, Watana Muangsook, including lower excise duties on sales of the car.

Top executives from several Japanese carmakers said they were eager to invest in Thailand’s efforts to produce the energy-efficient vehicles, Mr. Watana told TNA.

Honda Motors is ready to immediately invest in the manufacture of the S-car in Thailand.

Nissan and Suzuki are also interested, but are waiting for a study of the details of the project, the minister said.

As part of its drive to reduce the imports of energy and promote greater fuel efficiency, the Thai government has reduced excise duties from 30% to 20% for cars using ethanol -- a mixture of bio materials and fossil fuel.

The minister told TNA that he was pushing to lower excise duties on the planned S-car to 10%, as it consumes even less energy, to help encourage the production of these cars in Thailand.

The National Economic and Social Development Board

(NESDB) plans to form a technical working group to study the issue, according to the NESDB Secretary-General Ampon Kitti-ampon.

Meanwhile, the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has announced that it is ready to offer the maximum investment privileges to the S-car project

--TNA 2005-06-18

[Nordlys]

Why don't they just reduce import duty on Hybrid?

Or if that would jeopardize the sales of locally assembled cars, why don't they just give enough incentives to Toyota to attract assembly of Hybrids in Thailand? One might argue Toyota hasn't even started assembling Hybrids at where it sells it the most (US), but they'll soon start assembling Prius in China.

[Plus+]

Who will buy these cars? The government is just talking out of the ass.

There's no demand for these contraptions. That's why all the Japs said that they will be happy to bring their existing models to Thailand but won't develop a whole new vehicle.

>>>>>>>

GM, btw, doesn't have its own car in Thailand. It's either Isuzu designed Colorado, or Daweoo's Optra. Zafira, the car that gave Chevrolet's badge some dignity, will not be assebled here anymore.

[Digger]

Who will buy these cars? The government is just talking out of the ass.

There's no demand for these contraptions. That's why all the Japs said that they will be happy to bring their existing models to Thailand but won't develop a whole new vehicle.

>>>>>>>

GM, btw, doesn't have its own car in Thailand. It's either Isuzu designed Colorado, or Daweoo's Optra. Zafira, the car that gave Chevrolet's badge some dignity, will not be assebled here anymore.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So what is that huge plant with at least two full construction lines now operating on the Eastern Seaboard actually doing if its not building cars/pickups with a massive GM badge on the side of the building? I always understood that most Zafira's were exported under other names such as Holden, Vauxhall and Opel to the respective Western markets where those marques are represented - I would agree though that it must be due for replacement but I'd be surprised if GM are going to shut down those lines and not replace the Zafira with something else.

[mnoorsapl]

"Who will buy these cars? The government is just talking out of the ass."

Pass out the mandate, all officials to drive new Hybrids cars.

[otherstuff1957]

I would expect what is called "K-car" that has long been sold in Japan introduced to Thai market. 

Definition of K-car in Japan;

1. Engine displacement no more than 660cc 

2. Length no more than 3.4m

3. Width no more than 1.48m

4. Height no more than 2.0m 

http://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/lineup/index.html

http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/showroom/lineup/index.htm

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/choice/...ry/minivehicle/

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/japan/lineup/kei.html

http://www.nissan.co.jp/CARLINEUP/index2.html

Also available from Mazda but not Toyota...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, Toyota owns Diahatsu and they use that name for their smaller cars.

[PeaceBlondie]

Limited to a length of 3.4 meters? That's 11 feet long. Limited to 660cc?

Thais don't want teeny cars. Is Daihatsu still selling the Mira Mint, which can't fit a 12year old Thai in the back seat?

Thais think 'bigger is better.'

[Nordlys]

Actually, Toyota owns Diahatsu and they use that name for their smaller cars.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's right.

Such is Toyota Avanza. Nothing secret about that.

[chownah]

Is this going to be a 4 wheel tuk-tuk with doors?

[Thetyim]

[Sphere]

Here is a pic of the new model to be tested by the boys in brown...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where is the cash bo... er.. the glove compartment?

[Plus+]

I definitely read that GM is not going to upgrade Zafira. There are plenty of other cars from GM stable to build there.

Currently they are struggling with Colorado line - the demand is very high. Optra is also selling reasonably well and just got estate body.

Mind you none of these cars is GM designed.

I'm no fan of badgeniering.