FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Motor show glitz taps sales

Motor show glitz taps sales

Annual sales extravaganza expected to help sustain momentum of first 2 months of 2017

WITH sales showing strong growth during the first two months of this year, automakers are making sure the trend will continue with a large collection of new models to be launched at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show.
The event, which starts on March 29 in the Challenger Hall at Impact Muang Thong Thani, is one of the major auto exhibition events that help mark the start of Thailand’s auto-buying season.
While auto sales usually decelerate in February and March, this year several facฌtors have contributed to help the market grow, with February sales surging by almost 20 per cent to 68,435 units. The biggest growth was in passenger cars. This segment jumped 49.8 per cent, thanks to introduction of popular models like the Honda City and Mazda2 in January.
Major brands like Toyota, Isuzu and Honda gain a large number of customers at the show, where not only the vehicles compete but also sales promotions vie for attention.
Some brands spend as much as Bt30 million to import official booths and for various activities, ranging from colourful presentations to concerts and testdrive opportunities.
One of the new models that will draw huge attention is the fifth-generation Honda CR-V that is now available with diesel and petrol engines. Honda hopes that the diesel version, which is priced at the top of the range at Bt1.699 million, will help bring diesel-powered SUV customers to the brand.
German luxurycar maker Mercedes-Benz always has a new model at the Bangkok Motor Show, and this year the stage has been set for the E-Class Coupe, while rival BMW will be highlighting its 7 Series Plugin.
Audi, the third major German luxury brand, has just gained a new official importer and will be displaying a large collection of products for the Thai marฌket. An allnew model to be unveiled at the Bangkok Motor Show is the Q5 crossover, which importer Meister Technik hopes will help it achieve a sales target of 600 units this year.
Isuzu will put the spotlight on its facelifted MuX PPV (pickup passenger vehicle) while Mazda, which overtook Mitsubishi and Nissan as the No.3 pasฌsenger car brand last year, will show the facelifted CX-3 and the Mazda MX-5 RF, the hardtop version of the classic roadster.
Maserati is another brand that has just acquired a new importer, and its magnet will be the Levante SUV, which competes directly against the Porsche Cayenne in the luxury segment. 
Porsche, after having launched the new 718 model, will introduce the new Panamera 4S luxury saloon.
Toyota still doesn’t have an all-new model to show off, but will draw crowds with its concept vehicle – the FCV Plus, a 2+2 powered by a fuel cell stack that changes hydrogen into water.
Nissan will showcase a concept called SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) featuring the world’s first bioethanol electric power system.
Mitsubishi, meanwhile, will showcase the MiEV Evolution III concept electric race car that took part in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the United States.
More than 30 car and 12 motorcycle brands are present at this year’s Bangkok Motor Show, and organisers expect as much as Bt40 billion will be generated.
 

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