Been recently to Bangkok Motor Show and was surprised to see so less hatchback variants of car models.

Actually only these few models:

1) Ford Focus, yeah I know, that one should be avoided [emoji16]

2) Mazda 3

3) New Honda Civic Hatchback

4) New Subaru Impreza

 

So I'm thinking there is no market here or Thai people don't like hatchback variants?

 

Just as a thought, in Germany many of the cars are hatchback, the bestseller VW Golf and Audi A3.

Ehh.. Quite a good selection of hatches in Thailand

 

- Toyota Yaris

- Ford Fiesta

- MG3

- BMW 1-series

- Merc A class

- Lexus CT200

- Nissan Pulsar

- Mitsu Mirage

- Nissan Micra

- Suzuki Swift

- Daihatsu Mira

- Proton Savvy

- Honda Jazz

- Mazda 2

- VW Beetle

 

Plus the ones you mentioned, it would say its quite the opposite. Thais absolutely love hatches!

Not to be a party pooper, but of all the mentioned hatchbacks are there any that arent "budget" cars? 

 

I have a lot of Thai friends, they all prefer the sedan with trunk body car. 

 

Ask anyone if they would have a Vios vs Yaris, city vs jazz or Mazda 2 hatchback vs sedan and they would all almost exclusively say the sedan version.

 

The only exception I've seen is Mazda 3, which the hatchback is more popular. Probably because it looks way better. Then again going back down the Mazda 2 Sedan looks much, much bigger and nice than the Hatchback. 

 

Moral of the story, Thais prefer the standard sedan w/ trunk configuration. 

1 hour ago, mortenaa said:

Ehh.. Quite a good selection of hatches in Thailand

 

- Toyota Yaris

- Ford Fiesta

- MG3

- BMW 1-series

- Merc A class

- Lexus CT200

- Nissan Pulsar

- Mitsu Mirage

- Nissan Micra

- Suzuki Swift

- Daihatsu Mira

- Proton Savvy

- Honda Jazz

- Mazda 2

- VW Beetle

 

Plus the ones you mentioned, it would say its quite the opposite. Thais absolutely love hatches!

Every single one of those I can tell you that all the sedan versions are more popular. Except for the Suzuki Swift of course, which only has the popular hatchback version. (Which is popular because its similar to the Mini)

43 minutes ago, Jamestaylor said:

Not to be a party pooper, but of all the mentioned hatchbacks are there any that arent "budget" cars? 

 

I have a lot of Thai friends, they all prefer the sedan with trunk body car. 

 

Ask anyone if they would have a Vios vs Yaris, city vs jazz or Mazda 2 hatchback vs sedan and they would all almost exclusively say the sedan version.

 

The only exception I've seen is Mazda 3, which the hatchback is more popular. Probably because it looks way better. Then again going back down the Mazda 2 Sedan looks much, much bigger and nice than the Hatchback. 

 

Moral of the story, Thais prefer the standard sedan w/ trunk configuration. 

Is BMW 1-series a budget car?

Moral of the story - since there is almost 20 different hatchbacks available, Thais love them, just not all Thais. Like any country. Both the Yaris and Jazz sells really well.

Thai's currently don't like estate cars /station wagons but maybe they will make a comeback if nobody can sit in the back of pickups

It is, or has been forced choice.  Mazda on the otherhand has been quite the opposite.  Their hatchback as been the most popular for some time.  I am guessing the Civic hatchback will be too.

7 minutes ago, BBJ said:

It is, or has been forced choice.  Mazda on the otherhand has been quite the opposite.  There hatchback as been the most popular for some time.  I am guessing the Civic hatchback will be too.

At the honda booth, the new cr-v and the civic hatchback were attracting the most attention. Love the look of the black hatchback with modulo kit. The sedan looks somewhat awkward, especially the rear. 

11 hours ago, CLW said:

New Honda Civic Hatchback

Well you said it " new " Honda are usually clever on marketing stuff.

10 hours ago, mortenaa said:

Is BMW 1-series a budget car?

Moral of the story - since there is almost 20 different hatchbacks available, Thais love them, just not all Thais. Like any country. Both the Yaris and Jazz sells really well.

It is when you think about it, for those wanting the BMW badge its the cheapest alternative. But the 3 series is vastly more popular even though its more expensive so i still stand by my point.

Just now, Jamestaylor said:

It is when you think about it, for those wanting the BMW badge its the cheapest alternative. But the 3 series is vastly more popular even though its more expensive so i still stand by my point.

I for one have a 1-series and had several other BMW's. I didn't think of it as the "cheapest alternative", but practicality when I bought a hatchback. As I also think other people do. Small car, great for a busy city. Huge tailgate and rear folding seats, which the 3'er don't have. The 1-series is so popular, it's one the local assembly line. 

 

 

Ehh.. Quite a good selection of hatches in Thailand
 
- Toyota Yaris
- Ford Fiesta
- MG3
- BMW 1-series
- Merc A class
- Lexus CT200
- Nissan Pulsar
- Mitsu Mirage
- Nissan Micra
- Suzuki Swift
- Daihatsu Mira
- Proton Savvy
- Honda Jazz
- Mazda 2
- VW Beetle
 
Plus the ones you mentioned, it would say its quite the opposite. Thais absolutely love hatches!

Good listing!
I should have more specific as I was looking for medium sized and affordable.
That cuts out the imported cars and shoeboxes....

Thais generally think sedans/saloons are more 'classy' than hatchbacks, but seem to gradually be coming round to the practicalities and usually better styling of hatches,

Funny that in another thread here on TVF and also my GF argued about advantage of sedan is you can transport smelly food in the trunk [emoji23]

I solved her argument with suggesting to buy a 200 Baht plastic box with cover [emoji16]