Motor Expo hits the road

[bazmlb]

Organisers hope political protests won't affect the key show, expect 1.6 million visitors to the event, which features attractive new cars and high-tech concept vehicles

Well, it's motor show time once again and although protesters shut down the Government Complex on Wednesday, organisers of the Thailand International Motor Expo hope the tension will not spread to Impact Arena at Muangthong Thani, which is also located on Chaeng Wattana Road.

The Motor Expo officially starts today and runs until December 10. However, the unlucky organisers of the Auto Import Expo have been forced to cancel their event, which hit the road on Wednesday at Government Complex Building B. Show organiser Jaturont Komolmis, who is vice chairman of Grand Prix Group that also runs the annual Bangkok International Motor Show, said that 200 luxury vehicles from 10 grey market importers are being taken out of the venue. The event was originally scheduled to run until December 1.

"A large number of protesters have entered the complex and we are unable to predict how long the rally will take place," Jaturont said.

Grand Prix Group previously announced that as much as Bt80 million would be used to organise the event, but damage caused by the cancellation has yet to be calculated, he said.

Meanwhile, back at Muangthong Thani, the press day of the Motor Expo took place without any hiccups. Organiser Kwanchai Paphatphong, chairman of Inter Media Consultants, forecasted that 50,000 orders would be placed at his event this year, and total transactions would reach as much as Bt43 billion. Kwanchai said the organisers are monitoring protest movements, but added that he felt the Motor Expo was not a target.

"The purpose of our show is to bring happiness to people and we shouldn't be considered a target. However, due to the large number of costly items being exhibited, we have re-introduced a walk-through security system," he told The Nation.

According to Kwanchai, major political events in the past have not hugely affected the auto market. "We have gone through the yellow-shirt and red-shirt demonstrations, as well as heavy flooding in 2011. Thais love their cars and right after each crisis they rush in to place orders for automobiles. For example, even with the flood crisis in 2011 more than 30,000 orders were placed at the show," he pointed out.

A large collection of new car and pickup models are being launched at the Motor Expo, which is expected to help boost the auto market to well over 1.3 million vehicles, as more than 1.12 million have already been sold in the first 10 months of this year. This is just 1.8 per cent lower than during the same period last year, which enjoyed future demand due to the government's populist First Car Buyer Programme.

Thirty-eight auto brands are participating in this expo, which is regarded as the start of the year-end auto sales season. Some 1.6 million visitors are expected to attend the event. Visitors will see booths from Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Carlsson, Citroen, Deva, DFSK, Ford, Grand Carryboy, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, ITI, Jaguar, Jinbei, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Mini, Mitsubishi, MTM, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Proton, Rely, Sammitr Skoda, Ssangyong, Subaru, Suzuki, Tata, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. But for those not interested in placing orders for new vehicles, there is enough attraction to come, especially with the seven daring concept vehicles on display. They include the Honda NSX concept, the Hyundai HND-6, the Mercedes-Benz GLA concept, the MG Icon, the Nissan Friend-ME, the Chevrolet SS and the Suzuki A: Wind.

A motorcycle zone has been set up for the third consecutive year, and there are 10 brands present. They include Benelli, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Keeway, KTM, MV Agusta, Suzuki, Triumph and UDA. A large number of orders are expected to be placed for new models launched prior to and at the Motor Expo.

The Ford Fiesta and EcoSport are both powered by a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine that is turbocharged and produces more power than the previous-generation 1.6-litre engine. Nissan has just launched the 1.6-litre Juke - which resembles a sports car on top and an SUV at the bottom - with a starting price of slightly more than Bt800,000. The new Chevrolet Colorado pickup and its Trailblazer PPV sibling gets an attractive cosmetic change and a new powerplant - a turbocharged 2.8-litre diesel motor pumping out 200hp and 500Nm.

Market leader Toyota will also enjoy a lot of orders for its new Yaris, which is an eco-car with B-segment dimensions. Although the pricing of the Yaris is considerably higher than others, sales are expected to zoom ahead. Mazda will also enjoy a large number of orders for its award-winning CX-5 crossover, which has been named Japan Car of the Year for 2012-2013. It is available with three engine choices (2 petrol and 1 diesel).

Honda's new vehicle is the Odyssey minivan, powered by a 2.4-litre VTEC engine developing 190hp and offering a friendly 14km/litre average fuel economy.

Lexus is showing off the ES300h, the hybrid version of its midsized sedan that will compete against the Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec Hybrid. On the rugged side, Land Rover is offering the Range Rover Sport, a supercar in SUV clothing, while Swedish automaker Volvo is also offering a lifestyle car with the V40 Cross Country.

CONCEPT VEHICLES

Honda NSX Concept: Honda is showing its NSX Concept for the first time in Southeast Asia after it made its Asian debut at the Tokyo Motor Show just over a week ago. It is powered not only by a 3.5-litre V6 direct injection engine, but also built-in electric motors powering all four wheels. The key technology is Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive), which features a midship-mounted direct injection V6 engine, a dual clutch transmission with an internal high-efficiency motor, and an electric motor for each front wheel. Honda's proprietary torque control system manages left and right drive torque independently with high precision, delivering a revolutionary cornering-on-rails steering feel. The exterior design is clean, simple and modern, and the low, wide, powerful and flowing styling emphasises the exceptional performance of the vehicle.

Hyundai HND-6: In terms of alternative fuels, Hyundai will be leading the pack with the HND-6 (Blue2) Concept. It is a FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) that runs on hydrogen and emits nothing but water vapour. The HND-6 is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 90kW (122hp) and fuel economy of 34.9 kmpl. The HND-6 comes with low-resistance tyres and alloy wheels, which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance, while the car's interior design encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials. The HND-6 features a "welcome" system which recognises the driver, while an automatic opening door system enhances the driver's convenience. Conventional side mirrors are replaced by side cameras and a roof camera. Hyundai combined the cluster and centre fascia, applying an advanced Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor and ultra-light tempered glass, called Gorilla Glass, providing more accurate and vivid graphic information.

Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept: The Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept's most striking feature is the headlights which are fitted with laser beam projectors that not only illuminate the road ahead but are capable of projecting pictures and videos on to a screen or other surface. The materials can come from a smartphone, Internet, hard-drive or from the two cameras housed in front of the roof rails. As a further enhancement of the head-up display, they could also help to improve road safety: the technology could be used, for example, to project the directional instructions from the navigation system onto the road in the form of arrows - in this way other road users, too, would be able to see where a driver is heading. The air vents in the instrument panel as well as in the rear are illuminated from behind - they change colour according to the interior temperature set by the occupants. At a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, they light up in white. If a cooler temperature is selected for the interior, they turn blue, while opting for an influx of warm air switches the illumination to red. The Concept GLA comes with a two-litre turbocharged gasoline engine, 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox and compact 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

MG Icon: The MG Icon is the first SUV concept car from the company, which is now owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. The MG Icon takes inspiration from some of the legendary brand's most famous sports cars, including the MGA and MGB GT. The MG Icon demonstrates a progressive and soulful British spirit and has a lithe and powerful stance - its proportion harmonised by feature lines interpreted from MG's iconic greats. The MGB GT inspired rear with structural lamps mounted on top of haunched wings are another highly distinctive feature of the design. The MG Icon has a four "shell" seat layout. The rear seats can fold down completely into the floor, making the compact SUV versatile and functional.

Nissan Friend-ME: The Nissan Friend-ME is a 4-door 4-seat Concept Sedan with a sub-compact body and low roof line. Inside, all occupants in the four individual seats can view the same information, instrumentation and multimedia display on screens. The car has a PureDrive hybrid powertrain in which a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine is mated to electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries. Friend-Me has been carefully designed as a dream within the reach of young customers in China. Based on an existing Nissan sedan architecture, it requires a minimum of unique components. A low and wide stance with a short front and rear overhang emphasises a more chunky, aggressive and sporty impression rather than an authentic sedan. The headlamps and rear combination lamps are accentuated by its unique boomerang-shaped lighting signature. Inside all four seats are separate with the same high-tech style and status. All share the same information as the driver: speed, navigation, the fuel remaining, etc.

Suzuki A:Wind: The world premiere of the Suzuki A:Wind was postponed for the Tokyo Motor Show and launched at the Motor Expo, since this is the prototype of Suzuki's new eco-car to be launched in Thailand next year and exported to overseas markets. The A:Wind is an A-segment global compact car powered by a 1.0-litre engine mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). It also features energetic styling, a spacious cabin and quality materials, along with "excellent" fuel economy. The front end is stylish with its dynamic integrated front grille and headlights, while the character lines extending along the sides give it an elegant look. Suzuki says that the distance between the front and rear seats have been extended, the doors open wider and the seats are easier to get in and out of. The dashboard sweeps outward, further enhancing a spacious impression.

Chevrolet SS: Although the SS is already in production in the US, the version shown here is the prototype with right-hand drive, and is Chevrolet's first V8, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan since 1996. It is based on the Holden VF Commodore, which is also produced in Australia, but could be offered as a Chevrolet in Thailand as an import if there is enough demand. The SS concept is powered by a 6.0-litre OHV V8 producing 362hp and 530Nm; the vehicle has a near 50-50 front-rear weight distribution, and a low centre of gravity plus Brembo brakes. Active safety features come in the form of StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear-vision camera Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The SS also comes with Automatic Parking Assist, which provides hands-free parking using an ultrasonic sensing system to detect the width and depth of either parallel or reverse right-angle parking spaces.

-- The Nation 2013-11-29

[Jai Dee]

I'd love a Chevy SS...

[DGIE]

Honda NSX Concept: Honda is showing its NSX Concept for the first time in Southeast Asia after it made its Asian debut at the Tokyo Motor Show just over a week ago

I am a Honda enthusiast. Hope to have this new model someday...

[TramsRepus]

Whent there today. No Golf or Sciroccos or ANY VW cars. And no specials on the Volvo v40s which I had hope for. The CLA250 is a car and would easy be my first choice if not for the 1 year delivery time.

[TramsRepus]

Went there today. No Golf or Sciroccos or ANY VW cars. And no specials on the Volvo v40s which I had hope for. The CLA250 is a nice looking car and would easy be my first choice if not for the 1 year delivery time

[juliusk]

Went there today. No Golf or Sciroccos or ANY VW cars. And no specials on the Volvo v40s which I had hope for. The CLA250 is a nice looking car and would easy be my first choice if not for the 1 year delivery time

Was it worth going, I am planning to go there Tuesday but its a long drive for me so would like to know if its really ''fun'' to be there.

[Spoonman]

That SS is just a commodore, what is the development they are talking about ?

[culicine]

That SS is just a commodore, what is the development they are talking about ?

There won't be much demand here anyway....imagine the fuel economy in Bangkok. And it won't be cheap either - the lumina with a v6 was close to 2m baht.

[casindonet]

Will have to skip this one.....visited most of the motor shows held in BKK. Damn this protesters.

[JAS21]

Got there at eleven this morning, reasonably quite. Had a chat to our Isuzu dealer and a little ride in the Mu-X ... they had the 3Ltr there ... yes it was okay, steering seemed somewhat lighter than the V-Cross .... going for a longer test drive next week but our dealer only has the 2.5Ltr. On the stand there is a demo of the Mu-X suspension working.

Then had a general wander around, especially the small outlets looking for a Car Cam ... nothing decent ... topped up my collection of cloths and sponges, had lunch, madam was getting bored so headed home "via TESCO". Challenger did look like it was filling up as we left.

[MrJ]

planing to visit the expo tuesday and coming from Chonburi- any demonstartions or violence in that area?

Thanks

[IMHO]

planing to visit the expo tuesday and coming from Chonburi- any demonstartions or violence in that area?

Thanks

There's some interesting demonstrations of dancing skills in the car accessories area