Car show draws big crowd, but sales moderate

[rooster59]

Car show draws big crowd, but sales moderate

By KINGSLEY WIJAYASINHA
THE NATION

 

VISITORS are starting to flock to the 38th Bangkok International Motor Show, but most transaction tables were still only half-full during the second day.

 

The first few days of the Bangkok Motor Show, which is a highlight of a prime auto-buying season in Thailand, usually sees interested customers check out vehicles closely, as well as comparing promotions among several brands.

 

According to organisers, customers often visit the show several times before making a purchase of a particular model towards the last few days of the event, or even after the show ends.

 

Every year, big sellers at the show include Toyota, Honda and Isuzu, but smaller brands such as Mazda and Ford are seeing increased orders. Meanwhile, luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW also usually notch up sizeable sales during the show.

 

Last year, a total of 32,571 orders were placed, which was lower than the 40,000 forecast by show organiser Dr Prachin Eamlumnow. Although he did not make forecasts this year, many believe that more than 40,000 vehicles will be sold during the 12-day auto fest.

 

Although the highlight at the Mercedes-Benz booth is the fully imported new E-Class Coupe, bulk sales will come from locally assembled models that are priced more competitively, such as the CLA-Class and the C-Class, which is also available in PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) form.

 

Last year Mercedes-Benz sold 2,065 vehicles at the show, an all-time record for a luxury brand’s sales at the Bangkok International Motor Show.

 

BMW’s new 5 Series will also be gaining buyers looking for a performance sedan, while the company’s iconic Mini brand usually wins a good number of customers every year.

 

But this year, many eyes are on Audi, which is being sold by a new importer, Meister Technik, headed by financial tycoon Krisada Lamsam, who has decided to invest in the luxury-auto retail sector. Audi pins its hopes on crossover models like the Q5, as well as special “Quattro” all-wheel-drive performance models that have a cult following,

 

“The market was at its lowest point last year, so there’s one way to go and that’s up,” said a Toyota Motor Thailand executive. He said the unusual growth experienced by the market during the first quarter was due to the launch of new models that would normally be introduced at year-end period.

 

“Last year several companies decided to postpone new model launches because of the national mourning period [for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej] and had to introduce them during the first quarter of this year instead,” he said.

 

He said the Bangkok motor show would help keep the market momentum into the second quarter.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/automobiles/30310956

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-01

[CARLIN]

Bentley,

That would do me

[SoFarAndNear]

Maybe it's not about the models it may could be that no one has money to effort a new car?! But it is good to hear that at least in the luxury sector all is fine. The rich get richer and the poor can't effort nothing at all. But hey I'm just buggin... government says all is fine and everyone is confident :) Soon, English will also replaced with Thai language as world language. 

Edited April 1, 2017 by SoFarAndNear

[elgordo38]

7 hours ago, SoFarAndNear said:

Maybe it's not about the models it may could be that no one has money to effort a new car?! But it is good to hear that at least in the luxury sector all is fine. The rich get richer and the poor can't effort nothing at all. But hey I'm just buggin... government says all is fine and everyone is confident :) Soon, English will also replaced with Thai language as world language. 

I think your first sentence is correct tire kickers abound. I concur with the rest of your statement but the first sentence sticks out. I like the way the sellers always come up with statements to explain why sales are slow. We live in the greatest period in history for alternate facts and news. I think we are on a cusp as far as new car sales go. Even Ford now is warning that new car financing is stretched to thin and that my people are piggy backing loans from unpaid vehicles on to new ones. I think the repayment schedule has climbed to about 6 years and due to competition some are offering 10 year loans. When manufacturers flash warning signs there is definitely a problem. 

[Retiredandhappyhere]

Nobody should worry about poor sales figures, or in fact about any bad news in Thailand, because we all know (or are told) that the next quarter or the next year will always be much better.  Optimism abounds!   Just listen to TAT and all the economic forecasts by the Government and the banks, which are usually followed by several provisos or assumptions which tell the true story.  Even Brexit comes in handy at times.  

[williamgeorgeallen]

and the pretties, no photos or were they not present? perhaps thats why sales were down. they would not pay to have them if they did not work.

[Srikcir]

21 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“The market was at its lowest point last year, so there’s one way to go and that’s up,”

Or conversely, go to a new low. But I don't expect Toyota to say that publicly.

[Sphere]

All that money "spent" on infrastructure projects has to surface somewhere....or is it too early for that?

[Ace of Pop]

The Cup Holder Show..They always show you that,plus ' New Lite disYear'.[emoji42]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[LammyTS1]

Was there yesterday. Very busy.

most tables occupied with buyers.

 

I looked around the bike manufacturers. Yamahas new scooter is real ugly. Nothing new from Honda that stands out. Vespa had new electric Vespa & a new electric bike manufacturer Storm had an electric scooter that was an exact replica of a 50's Vespa. 

 

I paid deposit on the new Scomadi TT200. 175k but got 10k off If ordered at the show. 

[JaseTheBass]

Was there yesterday. Very busy.
most tables occupied with buyers.
 
I looked around the bike manufacturers. Yamahas new scooter is real ugly. Nothing new from Honda that stands out. Vespa had new electric Vespa & a new electric bike manufacturer Storm had an electric scooter that was an exact replica of a 50's Vespa. 
 
I paid deposit on the new Scomadi TT200. 175k but got 10k off If ordered at the show. 

I'm sure your daughter will love it.

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