Bangkok Motor Show Kicks Off, Record Orders Expected

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BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

Record orders are expected

Kingsley Wijayasinha

The Nation

Phantom Drophead Coupe

Eco-cars likely to get lion's share

BANGKOK: -- A record number of orders are expected to be placed at this year's Bangkok International Motor Show, which officially kicks off today at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani.

The event is one of the region's largest auto exhibition and sales extravaganzas, marking the start of the second-quarter auto-buying season. Organiser Prachin Eamlumnow says that a record 40,000 orders could be placed this year, and as much as Bt30 billion is expected to change hands during the event, which goes on until April 8.

"Most of the orders placed will be for eco-cars, due to the larger number of models available," he said.

Apart from automobiles, the show also attracts visitors in the accessories and car audio section, lured by the great number of "pretties" at each booth.

According to Dr Prachin, as many as 15,000 orders could be placed for eco-cars, which enjoy low excise duty as part of the Thai government's promotion of a second champion product for the Thai auto industry.

Mitsubishi and Suzuki have just launched their own eco-car models, the Mirage and the Swift respectively. They join the Nissan March and Almera, as well as the Honda Brio in the eco-car segment with retail prices starting at below Bt400,000.

Ford will be putting the spotlight on the Fiesta Sport Ultimate that comes with a total of seven airbags (segment first and only), as well as a 1.5-litre version of the Fiesta that now qualifies for the First Car Buyer programme.

The American auto-maker will take the wraps off the new Focus, which will be assembled at its new plant in Rayong province and officially launched later this year.

Toyota, the largest auto-maker in the country and the only major company to offer hybrid vehicles, will launch the all-new Camry (hybrid and gasoline versions), Prius minor change and the 86, the compact sports car that was developed from the FT 86 concept.

Toyota is also showing off the Prius C hatchback, which it plans to offer in the Thai market at a later period.

Honda is expected to make a strong comeback with the all-new Civic, after the project had to be postponed due to last year's flood. It is also offering the CR-Z hybrid at less than Bt2 million with the car being ready for customer delivery.

The all-new Civic is also shown, but deliveries will take longer as Honda's plant has just been renovated and will need time to reach full capacity.

Korean auto-maker Hyundai is banking on the new Elantra compact sedan to help expand its customer base, and is also testing market reaction with the Veloster crossover that could be offered in the near future.

Other highlights include the BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Trailblazer (PPV version of the Colorado), Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Lexus GS 250, MINI Roadster and Volvo V60 DRIVe.

Rolls-Royce is also taking part in the show with four cars, including the Phantom Drophead Coupe and Ghost (standard and long wheelbase). The British luxury marque has already won a customer during the VIP Day on Monday night, who placed an order for the Ghost, priced at more than Bt23 million.

Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini is also showing off its latest models. Other popular supercars include the Porsche 911 and Bentley Continental GT V8.

In terms of concept vehicles, among the highlights are the Toyota FT-EV III, Toyota NS4, Mazda Minagi, Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class and the Nissan Townpod.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

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Motor Show Confident About Sales Target of 40,000 Units

BANGKOK: -- The 33th Bangkok International Motor Show opened today, and organizers expect the sales of cars to top 40,000 units.

During the opening of the 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show 2011, chief organizer Prajin Imlamnao expressed confidence that the exhibition will be able to sell more than 40,000 cars.

He hopes the event will generate up to 50 to 60 billion baht. Up to 1.5 million people would attend the exhibition.

Prajin said the highlights of the exhibition include the launch of two new fuel-efficient eco-cars.

Mitsubishi will introduce their Global Small eco-car Mitsubishi Mirage, while Suzuki will also debut its all new Swift. Earlier, Nissan launched its March eco-car while Honda introduced its new Honda Brio.

However, Prajin expressed confidence that the increased oil prices will not effect the number of other models sold during the event, as Thai people are still able to handle the prices.

Prajin also commented on the Thai auto industry, predicting that the export sales for this year could reach two million units.

In addition, he strongly denied that major automakers relocated their production base due to the last year' flood crisis, saying that some automakers have planned to expand their business in other countries two years ago.

Moreover, Prajin forecasted that a total export volume would hit the record at three million units a year once the ASEAN Economic Community or AEC has launched in 2015.

If so, Thailand would be the tenth largest vehicle exporter in the world.

The show this year came with more than 40 various car brands, including Toyota, Honda, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volvo.

The Bangkok International Motor Show 2012 begins today and will end on April 8 at the IMPACT Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani.

Ticket price is 100 baht.

All attendees could join a random lucky drawing of ticket stubs for car and motorbike in the show.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-28

[Thailaw]

Is there any price advantage to buying a car (new model Camry, e.g.) at the Motor Show, or are you just as well off buying from a dealer (assuming you get a reasonable deal from the dealer)? If you do buy at the Motor Show, where do you take delivery of the car?

[shariq607]

Is there any price advantage to buying a car (new model Camry, e.g.) at the Motor Show, or are you just as well off buying from a dealer (assuming you get a reasonable deal from the dealer)? If you do buy at the Motor Show, where do you take delivery of the car?

The campaign of camry at both the motor show and buying directly from dealer is same, Although the motor-show bookings will deliver the car in july but booking directly from showroom will take about 3 weeks.