Car Manufacturers Local Websites - Lost In Translation Or Just Lost Cause

[bkkjames]

More of a rant that anything else - it's Friday and I have a headache.,

Anyways what's up with local versions of these websites? We're talking about some of the biggest companies on earth and their local websites are just .... (fill in the blank) and I am not talking about watered down English versions, the full thai versions as well.

www.nissan.co.th just launched a new one - not bad in the English, but mistakes everywhere. Better than the old one I must say.

With all the praise of the new Isuzu V-Cross I went to tripetch-isuzu.co.th to have a look-see. Got some free time and lots of patience give it a try. Photos that redirect to photos to new pages that redirect back to same photos. I gave up on it.

www.ford.co.th is ok if but very simple. www.chevrolet.co.th similar. When I last visited Toyota - I left in a min or two frustrated. Never been on the Mits site.

Now before anyone starts with "its aimed at the Thai / not the farang market" I challenge you to get your thai lover or friend to go onto these sites and come back in less than an hour with prices of a few competitive models.

4x4, double cab trucks - top of the line models. I will buy a coffee to the first one that can present a comparison spreadsheet type document with basics like price, HP, torque, basic safety features, warranty etc.

Rant over.

[Artamus]

It's not related to website only. Things are just not tested properly before being released and/or test by ineffective testers. Ever tried to get something fixed in the house? Better test it before the repairer leaves because 90% of the time it's not fixed.

[bkkjames]

It's not related to website only. Things are just not tested properly before being released and/or test by ineffective testers. Ever tried to get something fixed in the house? Better test it before the repairer leaves because 90% of the time it's not fixed.

at the risk of derailing my own rant, i agree. we moved into a new condo a couple years back. told the guys the plug didnt work in the kitchen where the microwave as supposed to go. the guy went on about it being my microwave until i plugged it in somewhere else and it worked.

[mogandave]

Wow, a coffee! I'll get right on it!

[bkkjames]

Wow, a coffee! I'll get right on it!

sarcasm will get you a latte

[IMHO]

The new "responsive design' Nissan site is technically semi-brilliant IMHO (pun intended ) - go load it on an ipad or your mobile for a nice surprise (or just narrow up your desktop browser viewport).

The TH Ford website uses their global CMS platform, so no better or worse than any other Ford country site.

The Mitsubishi website is semi-bilngual (promotions all in Thai though), but their downloadable resources are all in English+Thai.

The Honda website hasn't changed for years, except for the addition of a 'mega menu' which is hopeless on touch devices.

The Toyota website was updated in AUG 2011, and is crap just as ever. Try the lo-fi version using Google Chrome if you actually need info on a Toyota.

The Isuzu website is utter crap, always has been, always will be.

The Benz, BMW and Porsche websites all use the mother-country provided CMS platform, so arent' and better or worse than elsewhere, but out of these 3 only Porsche have a decent platform.

[Jitar]

Amazing considering the gazillions car companies spend on advertising, a simple web site that tells you price and specifications is too hard for them. I wonder if this is accidental or have their marketing departments decided it is safer to throw in some nice glossy pictures and animations rather than make it easy for a buyer to get some basic information. That way the buyer is forced to endure the sales routine at their dealer. Then again maybe I am being cynical...

[IMHO]

An ex-member made this a while ago, but it's still current except for the Vigo having a couple more HP/Nm now:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/505429-2012-model-pickup-trucks/#entry4768251

[Woodsie888]

An ex-member made this a while ago, but it's still current except for the Vigo having a couple more HP/Nm now:

http://www.thaivisa....s/#entry4768251

I see you have brought yourself up to speed very fast IMHO. Well done

[funcat]

The new "responsive design' Nissan site is technically semi-brilliant IMHO (pun intended ) - go load it on an ipad or your mobile for a nice surprise (or just narrow up your desktop browser viewport).

The TH Ford website uses their global CMS platform, so no better or worse than any other Ford country site.

The Mitsubishi website is semi-bilngual (promotions all in Thai though), but their downloadable resources are all in English+Thai.

The Honda website hasn't changed for years, except for the addition of a 'mega menu' which is hopeless on touch devices.

The Toyota website was updated in AUG 2011, and is crap just as ever. Try the lo-fi version using Google Chrome if you actually need info on a Toyota.

The Isuzu website is utter crap, always has been, always will be.

The Benz, BMW and Porsche websites all use the mother-country provided CMS platform, so arent' and better or worse than elsewhere, but out of these 3 only Porsche have a decent platform.

Great !!...IMHO ...there were some painful months here...