Bangkok Motor Show

[Chongalulu]

I did stumble across a show of sorts in the mall in korat. Interesting to see the Honda hrv,which odly couldn't be seen in the dealer opposite and in both cases no brochure available! It's a good looking car with excellent interior finish and definitely fills a niche. Disappointing that a more modern engine isn't used(1.8 only) . I've recently emigrated here looking for a car and can't understand the logic of the range pertaining to all the manufacturers,namely why is only automatic transmission available once you get beyond the very basic model of even small cars( jazz,fiesta etc) and even the so called sporty models. And given that diesel is significantly cheaper in thailand ( the reverse of the uk) why the lack of diesel models unless you want a pickup or Fortuner/MU7 type monster. Obvious omission is the CRV which makes an excellent Diesel engine but not available here.

The HRV seems to come closest to what I want,but again stymied by automatic,but I overheard that earliest delivery is April!

Just to head any comments that I might be stuck in the past with my dislike of automatics I drove an M3 with paddle shifters until I left. It is sorely missed but clearly not feasible to have brought it over due to import restrictions.

If you have even driven in Bangkok for any amount of time, you will see why autos are popular here. Also, cvt gives close to the fuel economy of manual boxes, and many new autos shift faster than any manual could dream of. Resale on manuals suck as well. Only enthusiasts want them. I like manuals but there's no way I'd want one here, unless was visiting the track each weekend.

Quite understand your point about Bangkok but would have thought that like London (or even more so) that's the place you least likely to drive,or even need a car with taxis so cheap! Which leaves the rest of thailand where my question remains valid. Automatics have always changed gear more quickly but the disadvantages are that a torque converter saps power especially in a small engine and they cannot drive with anticipation and are frequently " hunting between gears " or changing down when I just wanted to go a little faster in the gear I was in. Driving a CRV last year just just reinforced all my criticisms that I previously held to say nothing of the unimpressive fuel economy. Difficult to substantiate your point about resale value of manual if they aren't available. Anyone got one they want to sell cheap to an "enthusiast " as the second hand values of cars is so high compared to Europe/uk it's not worth buying other than new. When I think of the savings i made buying my M3 at 2 years old.Weird that isn't it?

[Scotssing]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year (They give the daily sales figures on the website eg: http://www.motorexpo.co.th/2014/exhibitor_profile.php?booth=A17) Ok the figures are only for the first four days but on a pro rata basis the sales look low unless there is a surge in the final few days.

Looks like a really good exhibition. I will have been up to Bangkok twice this week but its a bit of trawl across town to get there

[culicine]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year (They give the daily sales figures on the website eg: http://www.motorexpo.co.th/2014/exhibitor_profile.php?booth=A17) Ok the figures are only for the first four days but on a pro rata basis the sales look low unless there is a surge in the final few days.

Looks like a really good exhibition. I will have been up to Bangkok twice this week but its a bit of trawl across town to get there

Sales may pick up over the weekend and the public holidays coming up. I'll try to get there...after all it's 15 min walk from my work I prefer it to the Motor Show, as I like to do a bit of shopping there for accessories and my son likes to see the race cars.

[IMHO]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year

It's early days yet... But don't expect 2012 figures, either way

[culicine]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year

It's early days yet... But don't expect 2012 figures, either way

IMHO, any news on the price of the Mazda 2? I read a leak of 650-780K? If the car is available to order, surely one would want to know the price beforehand, or maybe not for some people. 780 seems a bit steep.

[frankphuket]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year

It's early days yet... But don't expect 2012 figures, either way

IMHO, any news on the price of the Mazda 2? I read a leak of 650-780K? If the car is available to order, surely one would want to know the price beforehand, or maybe not for some people. 780 seems a bit steep.

Looking for the same info, but will know tomorrow for sure as i will be flying to Bangkok to go to the show in view of booking a car for my son. It is between a Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta Ecoboost (fun to drive indeed) and maybe a Mazda 2 diesel...although no chance i am sure of testing it.

[culicine]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year

It's early days yet... But don't expect 2012 figures, either way

IMHO, any news on the price of the Mazda 2? I read a leak of 650-780K? If the car is available to order, surely one would want to know the price beforehand, or maybe not for some people. 780 seems a bit steep.

Looking for the same info, but will know tomorrow for sure as i will be flying to Bangkok to go to the show in view of booking a car for my son. It is between a Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta Ecoboost (fun to drive indeed) and maybe a Mazda 2 diesel...although no chance i am sure of testing it.

They are all pretty close really. I'd like the diesel for all that torque and good fuel consumption. A chip could improve things even further.

[frankphuket]

Any comments on the Hyundai Elantra sport as it plays nearly in the same price league as Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta Ecoboost and Mazda 2, but is actually a C-Segment car, albeit with a less premium badge.

[camble]

I made this at last year's show. These are FHM models. They don't have a sexy car wash featured at this show.

[canopus1969]

Well that's a relief - can never understand why a motor show has those girls, waste of space and know nothing - if all you want girls there are prettier (and without clothes) to be seen in most clubs.

[camble]

I didn't realize anyone went for the cars

[ignis]

Any comments on the Hyundai Elantra sport as it plays nearly in the same price league as Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta Ecoboost and Mazda 2, but is actually a C-Segment car, albeit with a less premium badge.

Same can be said for the top model Proton Preve'........ also a C-Segment car, 1.6 Turbo engine +10 airbags + fully loaded with goodies [on paper at least it beats the lot of them for the price]

[frankphuket]

Any comments on the Hyundai Elantra sport as it plays nearly in the same price league as Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta Ecoboost and Mazda 2, but is actually a C-Segment car, albeit with a less premium badge.

Same can be said for the top model Proton Preve'........ also a C-Segment car, 1.6 Turbo engine +10 airbags + fully loaded with goodies [on paper at least it beats the lot of them for the price]

Yep...looked at that as well...

120,000 discount is attractive, but it is tough to overcome the brand image....and if you want to resale any time later you will get peanuts...or maybe more luxury cashew nuts...

[culicine]

Any comments on the Hyundai Elantra sport as it plays nearly in the same price league as Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta Ecoboost and Mazda 2, but is actually a C-Segment car, albeit with a less premium badge.

Same can be said for the top model Proton Preve'........ also a C-Segment car, 1.6 Turbo engine +10 airbags + fully loaded with goodies [on paper at least it beats the lot of them for the price]

Yep...looked at that as well...

120,000 discount is attractive, but it is tough to overcome the brand image....and if you want to resale any time later you will get peanuts...or maybe more luxury cashew nuts...

They will halve their value in two years. Check out www.one2car.com. And those are the inflated dealer prices! Brand image is still just too poor in this country.

[ignis]

At the inflated dealer prices a 2 year old top model 1.6 Sport Ford Fiesta has lost almost the same amount....

[bkkjames]

The reasons why I am not allowed to go... Wife is afraid I might order a new one...

http://www.navaraclubthailand.com/index.php/topic,1834.html?PHPSESSID=apj84vu66qp3qlkmqfvn9thv21 scroll down past the truck...

[IMHO]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year

It's early days yet... But don't expect 2012 figures, either way

IMHO, any news on the price of the Mazda 2? I read a leak of 650-780K? If the car is available to order, surely one would want to know the price beforehand, or maybe not for some people. 780 seems a bit steep.

The car hasn't actually been released yet - this is just an "unveiling". No official pricing has been announced.

[culicine]

Looking at the sales figures for individual manufacturers they seem to be well down on last year

It's early days yet... But don't expect 2012 figures, either way

IMHO, any news on the price of the Mazda 2? I read a leak of 650-780K? If the car is available to order, surely one would want to know the price beforehand, or maybe not for some people. 780 seems a bit steep.

The car hasn't actually been released yet - this is just an "unveiling". No official pricing has been announced.

So it's up on a pedestal and no chance to sit in it? That's too bad.....no orders are being taken then?

[IMHO]

So it's up on a pedestal and no chance to sit in it? That's too bad.....no orders are being taken then?

You could probably find a dealer who will take a booking.. I've booked cars well before their unveiling before

[BSJ]

Would this be the show you're asking about???

PS1305.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ33LNGVi9E#t=27

http://youtu.be/JZ33LNGVi9

There must be a a shortage of pretty girl's cos some of those girl's on the video were nice looking, but not pretty!

[casualbiker]

The Mazda 2's at the show weren't even open to sit in. Official launch January, 6 2' s on display not one open. The MG6 was overpriced and tacky interior. Hyundai elantra was ok. But still not so nice inside .. at that 750k baht price I thought the Proton Preve was the most complete car. Tidy looks, decent interior etc. At 0% over 72 months if you want finance!

[frankphuket]

Been to the motorshow last Friday....enormous amount of people, well yeah public holiday, but I had no other day.

We were shopping for a car for my son and considered: Ford Fiesta Ecoboost, Honda Jazz, Hyundai Elantra and Proton Preve and eventually new Mazda 2.

Ended up booking the Mazda 2 diesel, although prices are not yet 100% confirmed and you could not open the cars, but looks just won us over and the diesel should be a nice little engine. We booked the entry level and were told that prices will be around 660-680 and test drives available from 11th Jan and delivery 15th Jan.

Hyunda Elantra was nice, but inside a bit boring, so was the Preve and with its dotchy image it was just not to be.

Mazda seemed to be the busiest stand by far, although Nissan was doing good too.

MG by far the loneliest stand....

Can't say that there was anything much exciting else....although nice motorbikes with Triumph's new pricing.