Despite crisis, Motor Expo orders exceeds 25,000 cars

“This reflects the power of coordination from all parties – the organiser, exhibitors and the general public,” said Kwanchai Paphatpong, president and chief executive officer of Inter-Media Consultant Co and organising chairman of the show. “Despite the disaster, all got through the crisis with cooperation.”
The day before the event was kicked off, the sales target was lowered to 25,000 vehicles over the 12-day run from the original target of 30,000 orders. The flood was still expected to have a psychological effect on prospective car buyers.
Last year’s event recorded orders for 30,000 cars.
Based on preliminary estimates, the expo this year generated Bt27.5 billion in sales of new and used cars and accessories, while welcoming 1.5 million visitors.
Nissan scored the highest bookings this year, at 4,600 units. Last year it was ranked fourth. Mazda rose from fifth to second with 4,500 units. Isuzu stayed at third with 3,400 units. Ford came in at fourth place with 3,380 units, up sharply from eighth last year, while Mitsubishi edged up one rank to fifth with 3,100 units.
This year, Toyota, the market leader, and Honda did not take orders. Toyota just resumed operations on November 21 and has to clear its backlog of orders, while Honda still does not know when its assembly plants in Ayutthaya can reopen.
For luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz is expected to have moved 400 units and BMW 300 units.