More than 36,000 vehicles ordered at Bangkok Motor Show

BIMS organiser Grand Prix International said around 31,031 orders were placed for conventional cars and trucks, while 1,019 were for commercial electric vehicles (EVs) and 4,043 for motorcycles.
“This is another successful year for the event in every aspect, [including] the number of automobile and motorcycle producers as well as other auto-related exhibitors,” said Jaturont Komolmis, vice chairman of the organising committee. “Every company has brought its latest technology and products.”
He added that the end of the five-year ownership period mandated for people who took advantage of the previous elected government’s first-car-buyer tax-break programme, along with an improving agricultural sector, had sparked an initial recovery in the auto market.
“The result is growth in the small and mid-sized passenger-car segments as well as pickup trucks, despite the news concerning the legal [edicts over] passenger-safety issues.” 
He said 20-30 per cent of orders placed at the show were for 1-tonne pickup trucks and their derivatives.
“European luxury brands also enjoyed strong popularity, as many have launched new models, particularly in the SUV [sport-utility vehicle] segment that is gaining popularity among buyers.” 
Jaturont said EVs were also making a statement and various brands were present at the BIMS this year.
“The large number of orders placed for EVs show us the increased usage of EVs by SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] for short-distance transportation. They are becoming more popular, and with proper government support they could enjoy even stronger growth in the future,” he said.
A total of 1.8 million visitors came to the show this year.