Automakers head back on the road to business

[webfact]

Automakers head back on the road to business
By KINGSLEY WIJAYASINHA
THE NATION

 

 

TOYOTA’S MINOR-CHANGE VIOS AND THE 2017 MAZDA3 COME HOT ON THE HEELS OF HONDA’S LAUNCH OF ITS FACELIFTED CITY SEDAN

 

While Honda introduced its facelifted City last week, Toyota and Mazda are the next two companies that have come out with facelifted versions of their Vios and Mazda3, respectively.

 

Auto sales in Thailand finished at approximately 767,000 vehicles in 2016, slowing down by 4 per cent. However, the market is expected to accelerate by 5-8 per cent this year and finish 2017 with sales of 800,000 units, thanks to the end of the five- year ownership period under the First Car Buyer programme.

 

The 1.5- litre Vios, which has slowly lost its flair over the years to the Yaris that enjoys eco-car tax privileges, is now compatible with E85 gasohol. The average fuel economy of the 108hp engine, mated to a CVT ( Continuously Variable Transmission) is claimed to be 17.2km/litre.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/automobiles/30304878

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-25

[1Gringo]

can these car companies first teach the locals how to drive before selling them one?

[Don Mega]

3 minutes ago, 1Gringo said:

can these car companies first teach the locals how to drive before selling them one?

Why ? End use of vehicle has nothing to do with the manufacturer.

[yellowboat]

Why is there not a Thai branded car ?   Malaysia has a few.  A country that is full of pride, but does not have their own car company. 

[johng]

I bet most Thais would say that Honda,Toyota and Isuzu are Thai brands..world renowned too !

[retarius]

I'm going to buy a new car this year. Not quite decided what yet. After years of German/Japanese cars I struck out a few years ago and bought a Ford. What a piece of <deleted> ! I notice that some owners have petitioned our esteemed PM to tell Ford to compensate buyers of their substandard products.

[Don Mega]

16 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Why is there not a Thai branded car ?   Malaysia has a few.  A country that is full of pride, but does not have their own car company. 

They do sort of, its called Thai Rung.