Carmakers hope motor show will jump-start torpid sales

In January and February, new auto sales slumped 11.8 per cent to 123,666 units from the same period last year.

However, sales are expected to surge this month thanks to the flood of new models gracing the annual show that marks the start of the car-buying season.

Organiser Prachin Eamlumnow reckons that more than 40 all-new, minor-change and special-edition models are being introduced at the event, which is run by Grand Prix International.

More than 30 auto marques and nine motorcycle companies are participating in the 12-day extravaganza along with 170 other exhibitors.

Hot new models include the Ford Everest, gasoline-version Mazda2, Suzuki Ciaz and Mitsubishi Delica Space Wagon.

At the upper end, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its AMG-GT S sports car while BMW paraded the i3 electric car, and in the super luxury segment, Rolls-Royce is featuring the most expensive car at the show – the Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection priced at a cool Bt59 million.

Carmakers are also dangling attractive offers and incentives to win over customers and grab as much sales as possible.

"Each brand is spending as much as Bt50 million to Bt80 million on its booth, which shows the importance of the event to automobile companies," Jaturont Komolmis, vice chairman of the organising committee, said yesterday.

Last year the auto market plunged by 34 per cent to 881,832 units due to the political uncertainty, slowing economy and strict financing standards set by banks.

Ripples created by the first car buyer scheme that artificially boosted car sales were also found to fade out, said Kyoichi Tanada, president of Toyota Motor Thailand.

Toyota is the largest car brand and books |the most orders at the Bangkok Motor Show every year.